"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. ......It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” –Senator Robert F. Kennedy, June 6 th , 1966
Its been 5 years and 1 month since I received the phone call from my, then, wife. Our marriage was over. While she didn't say those exact words, I knew there was no going back. I was exhausted, ashamed, and yet relieved. We had tried so many things to "fix" me; to change my attraction to men. Nothing worked. I was not yet comfortable in the shoes of a gay man, but was exhausted with the pain of trying to wear the shoes of a heterosexual man, married, with 2 sons.
Looking back at that first year I grow nostalgic. There were still some dark, dark days, but there were also the brightest days I had ever encountered. I had been able to live, breathe, and take charge of my life like never before. 5 years later, the new-ness has worn off a bit, but I have been lucky to have met so many great people. I have watched many take their first steps out of the closet apprehensively and have watched those same men grab hold of their own lives.
There are still struggles with life and daily living, but there is still a sense of peace in being who I am; authentically.
I have served as a founding member and, recently, as Director of the Utah Gay Fathers Association since the spring of my coming out. I met amazing men and learned so much about what is and isn't important in life. It came time to re-focus on my family and challenge UGFA to stand on its own and continue to grow with fresh ideas.
The Equal Harmony Project is the result of the past 5 years of living. There are areas unreached and projects laying in wait and now is the time for me to work on them. I believe that every GLBTQ person deserves to have a voice and support. Every person has the right to live authentically.
EHP is not one project, but a series of smaller projects. Please stay connected with us, volunteer with us, share with us. This is our chance to send out "ripples of hope."
