We Need Your Voice

"Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard." - Harvey Milk

I have the cutest friend at work. 

Me: I have to leave on time tomorrow. I have this charity thing. 
Him: Awesome. Who are you going with?
Me: My boyfriend. 
Him: You have a new boyfriend? That's great!
Me: Well, he's gay. 
Him. Ohhhh. That might not work out so well. 

It's actually the perfect situation. I'm thinking of giving up on straight men entirely, they never work out well for me. 

Now before y'all start hating on me for writing another silly blog about boys, let's talk some JW. I've been getting a lot of feedback on the story. I've been called a home wrecker, adulteress, melodramatic, self serving, self promoting, been called out for leaving the religion my mother wanted for me, so how could I possibly expect a different response than the shunning? 

I've been blamed for ruining other people's lives with my choices. I ran into an old friend who hasn't really talked to me in FIVE years yesterday. She cried about me leaving the j-dubs while I consoled her. My mother cried when she asked me WHY? Why do you have to be the voice of these people? 

Because if we don't speak up, things will never change. Someone commented on the story online and said "Could anyone tolerate what Margaux has done? Of course yes if one could tolerate lesbianism, gayism and the rest." Are those even real words? How the hell can we live in a society, in Canada, in 2014 where such ignorance and intolerance exists? It makes me sick. 

I am who I am, JW on paper or not, I do not support their belief system. I am getting a little bit brave about the fact that they haven't tried to discipline me yet. Can I really get away with this and still be able to talk to my mom and my sister? I wish I could be a fly on the wall at all those elder meetings where they are trying to figure out how to deal with me without making this into a bigger commotion than it already is. 

I am an ally. The gay community has been so accepting of me since I've been "out", in my own way. Prejudice in this area is despicable. 

To the ex-jw community I have one request: so many of you have reached out and contacted me since the article came out. My writer Rosemary was brave enough to tell a story that so many of you resonate with and feel is completely true, even those of you who don't know me, because you've been through such similar situations. Canadian Living has been receiving so many letters with negative feedback, saying it's all lies. Be anonymous if you like, but could you please take a few minutes to tell them what you've been telling me - the truth. Y'all keep thanking me for having the courage to tell this story. Be an ally - please tell them yours. :)

Sullivan out.