My choice...

The votes are in... the polls have officially closed in Alberta and we wait. We wait to hear about change, wanted or unwanted, or to settle into the familiarity of what we already know. Again, wanted or unwanted. When I started blogging, I pictured something witty and fun... but I find my thoughts are all over and this has become my place to escape and tell my life, and everything around it as I see it.

Today, I voted for a PC government. Maybe I shouldn't say that out loud. Maybe I will jinks their chances, but I have to say, two years ago I was ready for change and I wanted a new government and I was ready to embrace the Wildrose, and all their glory. Today, I sit and wait and fear, that my vote while counted won't be enough to keep what I know as a majority government in power. People will ask while I voted PC. I won't tell you why, but I will tell you why I didn't vote for the other guys.

The nail was placed in the coffin for me when I heard rumours of a blog. A blog entitled Born This Way, which spread hate about the LGTB community. I hoped that with any good leader, I would hear a message that condemned the hateful message... instead, I heard silence. If you know me, you know I have a strong connection to the LGTB community. I have sincere love for the people I know and have met, for the people I am honored to call my friends and for those I am fortunate enough to consider family. I have learned through this community to accept, love and understand. I have learned that acceptance is just the beginning, and while people don't have to support, or accept, or like lifestyles, we can as a human society understand that we are cannot be the judge and the executioner.

This isn't a blog aimed at changing opinions, or trying to start a pro-LGTB movement. It's an opinion that I hope will have people stop and think. While people may not believe that being gay is a choice, I think we can all agree on something else. Hate is not a lifestyle, it is a choice. I hope that we have made the choice to keep hate away, for even just a few more years.

Every vote cast today is a choice. I've made mine.

The year of healing...

I have officially crossed a new place in my life. It's weird that in the blink of an eye your life can change. You hear people say it, but you really don't think about it. You could literally walk out into traffic texting a friend, or walk in on the love of your life with someone else... And then you blink. Your life will never be the same.

This year was initially supposed to be about growth and new found confidence and in the blink of an eye... I have to learn to heal.

So, I have to ask the magic question. In a world of social media, how do we heal? You can follow that loves every movement and you can subscribe for up to date alerts. You can friend a friend and gain access to profiles. Or, you can snoop using other peoples passwords.

You used to be able to fight and never know what happened to someone. Now we fight and can't stop looking. Has social media made it impossible to forgive and forget?