Saving the World One Party at a Time
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Why are attitudes changing? Some of it can be attributed to the laws, perhaps. It might make people confront their beliefs and prejudices. We can probably thank Will & Grace for some of it. Studies have proven that positive portrayals of gay characters on television affect people's feelings towards gays and lesbians. For the most part, though, I think we can be grateful for those who live their lives openly.

Jon and I live very openly. We often eat out together, we shop together, we go everywhere together. We just bought a house and we were together at every step of the process, from the first viewing to the signing of the paperwork (oh, so much paperwork...). Not once have we experienced any open discrimination. In fact, it's usually just the opposite. We've found most people are surprisingly accepting if you give them the chance. We've been very open with our new neighbors, introducing each other as partners, and we've been welcomed into the neighborhood with open arms.

At our recent housewarming party, I looked around at the 30 or so people who had come out to wish us happiness in our new home and I saw a great diversity. It was an interesting mix of straight and gay, young and old, men and women, black and white. There were straight couples, lesbian couples, gay couples, and singles both gay and straight. Many of Jon's coworkers came. Even my younger sister and her husband were there.

Several of our neighbors also came, including an older couple who live across the street. He plays keyboard for a local Christian quartet. He's been playing for years, decades even. He told us he lost a dear friend when Ray Charles passed away last year. He and his charming wife were among the first people to welcome us to the street, and have even had us over to their house already. Last week, as we sat in their living room, they subtly let us know that they were accepting of our relationship. The word "gay" was never used, but they made themselves perfectly clear.
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