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Though it hasn't been put forward as such, there has been a lot of "Gay-Lesbian Segregationist," thought, attitudes and behavior being pushed in the media, as of late. In fact it might even border on a kind of "Apartheid." The reason that I say this is because, by it's very definition this appears to be the experience of those who are Gay-Lesbian.

In American life we are very hung up on the so-called "Gay-Lesbian," issue. I see in the press or news that Gay-Lesbian people are not fit for marriage. They are not fit to raise their own children. They are not fit to educate kids (or adults for that matter). They are not fit employee's. They are not fit to sit on the Supreme court. In fact, they are not fit to be in any aspect of American life. The net result is that intellectual and physical board fences are place around those who are openly Gay-Lesbian. Further more, as Barack Obama is fond of using the phrase, "Too often do people resort to characterures."

Though I generally like Barack Obama and have been a supporter, like Rachel Maddow, I'm very disappointed in his foot dragging (e.g. don't ask, don't tell). He is procrastinating and delaying a wrong that needs to be righted, plain and simple.

You might ask, how does the problem of "Gay-Lesbian Segregation," fit in with a Zen Buddhist blog and I'd say good question. Here's the answer, Zen by It's very nature means, "Unification." That word implies togetherness, wholeness, no gaps, no separation and certainly no segregation. When you eliminate people simply based on whether or not they are Gay-Lesbian, we cut our nose off to spite our face.

In both World and American history, we are working-through various types of segregation, especially pertaining to race. Think of the stereotypes that persist about Black people, those who are Chinese, Native-American Indians, Japanese, India or Irish, Women, Jewish persons. At one time or another these entities had to deal with the walls of Segregation, but when we as a society stepped back from it, we became stronger through it's naturally unifying aspect.

A long time ago, when I was struggling with the death of my father, a friend told me, "There's a time when you have to put the B.S. down." Psychologically, it seems to me that this is one of those moments where we could do ourselves a little justice, grow up and do the right thing. We need to stop interfering with the life path of those who are Gay-Lesbian and stop trying to shame them. It's not right and they are who they are. They are 100% a-okay. They are not flawed people. They deserve equality and freedom that we cherish for ourselves. To negate Gay-Lesbian's is to negate ourselves.

I intellectually and emotionally know that Gay-Lesbian Segregation is wrong. It is a practice that is not worthy of us as either individuals or as a Nation. We can only benefit from releasing ourselves from a notion that comes with so many limitations.

May Your Life Go Well,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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