proud of my bro

My brother talks about the 3rd Queer Pin@y conference that made its way back to UCLA after 4 years. It's a nice circle for him.

I attended the first two, since some friends of mine helped organized it. Though I am in a heterosexual relationship, I've never felt comfortable in hetero scenes. Increased levels of macho testosterone bring out the butch in me. And hanging out and talking about the football games or how to rebuild an engine have always been more interesting to me. I get competitive and aggressive around macho hetero guys, but not in the way that I'm there to get their attention in sexual way.

I actually think I'm in a heterosexual relationship now simply because it's a relationship that worked out. In the end, I found the person who gives me balance. The fiance has enough femme sensitivity that works well with my personality.

Anyway, 4 years ago, I took my brother on a road trip to LA to the Queer Pin@y conference. We even got upgraded to a convertible. I think it was the first time we had road tripped without the parentals.

The theme of the conference was "Just be." Don't worry about labels and definitions and what people should call you. Just be. Just be who you are and how your are, whatever that may be. Most of the folks there were 20-30 something. But there was one guy with 3 kids and a few folks who went to the ally forum and came out that day.

So I'm proud of the fact that my bro can discuss how he enjoyed going dancing at a gay bar with his friends. (Though he may not be picking up on the "interest" vibe from the guy who "accidentally" bumped into him.) And I'm proud that he's a part of the Samahang leadership that is able to support a conference like Queer Pin@y, which I think is an important space to create. A space without fear and retribution for declaring your identity. That's the kind of future I'd like to see.