Welcome to THE DECADE

Happy New Year Everyone, and let's hope that it IS a happy one for all.

I had an idea a couple of years back, one that I blogged about on here. It has a name:

The Decade

I had been working in a department which actively sought out stories in the news about disasters, accidents and deaths, as a safety measure for its staff while they were travelling (which was a basis for the business I attempted to start a while back too). It made me more aware of the terrible stuff that happens in this world every day. Stuff which, more often than not, is caused by us: Humans.
I decided that there should be some sort of plan to help the world regain its morality. To reignite the passions of friendship and love that must have been there at some point in our inglorious past (mustn't it?).
I came up with the name of The Decade as most decades have a handy title, like the last one was nicknames the Noughties, but what can you name the time between 2010-2019? The Tens is just boring, so I thought of The Decade (capitalising the "T" in "The" is important).

I suggested that the next decade, which starts today, should be dedicated to making things better for everyone. I drew up plans for all the areas that I felt needed to be addressed, obviously, knowing me, starting with equality for all. Other areas were war, drugs, child abuse, people trafficking etc etc etc. But where do you start? I have no idea.
I think that if each person just does one thing each year then the world will instantly become a better place. So, I am doing some internet searching to find an LGBT charity that I can contribute something to. In fact, I think I've just thought of someone who can help me find the cause that is right for me. I'll get onto that once I am finished here.

An idea that I have come up with in the last month is for a fund raising event. I was inspired by the news story of Gareth Thomas coming out. I have always thought that "celebrities" should come out as they can be good examples for the young people of today, showing LGBT youngsters that it is alright to be gay and that they can achieve anything, and educating those who are not LGBT that some of their other heroes may be gay and that that is fine, and maybe it can even change the minds of a few of the older generations.
I do realise, however, that it is never a simple decision to make and it is easy to tell others to come out once you have made the transition yourself. I have just discovered today, a anonymous blog written by a professional rugby player in South Africa who is not out to anyone. It is a great example of the thought processes that someone can experience when struggling with being gay in an non-gay-friendly environment. He is also a very talented writer, I love the descriptive terms he uses. Check it out at: Closet Rugby Guy

The event I wanted to organise would probably be for a charity that supports young people coming out and perhaps people coming out at an older age too (I have yet to find a suitable one in the UK, so if you know of one then please get in touch). I wanted it to be attended by at least 20 "celebrities," though preferably between 30 and 50, from all media, and would have wanted all of them to be gay, but not necessarily out. I was hoping for the names of the celebrities to attract the attention of the news agencies for publicity, and then for them to "find out," somehow, that ALL of those in attendance were gay, but that this was not THE story. I realise that this would not happen. The "outings" would become the main story, but hopefully the charity would gain a lot of attention because of it.
My aim would have been to promote the fact that a celebrity coming out should not be a massive story. It should not matter that they are gay. It is a fine balance at the moment, because with every new person who comes out we step nearer to this goal, but it also means that every outing IS important, making it a bit of a paradox.

I have been thinking about this event since I first came up with the idea and I didn't want to mention it on here in case someone "stole" my idea. A ridiculous notion I know. I have now come to realise that I neither have the skills nor the contacts to make this event possible and so have decided to put it out there in case someone else wants to pick it up and run with it (I would be more that willing to lend a hand).
I do know of two people that I could invite to attend who are out, but not to the media, as far as I am aware. I also have ideas for other sympathetic people I could contact who may know of others I could invite, Daniel Radcliffe being one as he has just made a donation to the Trevor Project in the US and must know of at least one member of the Harry Potter cast who is not out yet!

So, my suggestion if that everyone makes a difference by doing one thing each year of The Decade. I'm off to find my charity.