O brave new world,
that has such people in't.
{William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act v, Scene 1}
I went and saw a local amateur production of the musical Anything Goes this evening. The dishy male lead's blurb in the program said that he "would like to give a huge thank you to his husband...for all of his love and support." I was pretty taken aback and impressed. I would expect such openness when I lived in Los Angeles, but not in my provincial Southern city. The climate of acceptance has (fortunately) changed so drastically during my lifetime, but I never seem able to wrap my head around it.
Armand: The world changes, we do not, therein lies the irony that kills us.
{Anne Rice, Interview with a Vampire}
Of course, I am always troubled by such things (see the title of this blog), even as I'm pleased by the apparent progress. I'm not sure if I just feel as if things have passed me by. Or if I'm confounded since I never seem able to develop a clear picture of the actual state of tolerance around me. Or if I'm simply jealous. Probably all of the above.
Louis: I am at odds with everything and always have been! I have never belonged anywhere with anyone at any time!
{Anne Rice, Interview with a Vampire}
