I've just been reminded of this video on YouTube and the excellent song by the brilliant Sick Puppies. It brings a tear to my eyes every time. Sending my hugs out to you all. Thanks for being there.
Tuesday 23 November 2010
It Gets Better
I've had an idea.
Long time readers will know that occasionally I have these wild ideas for how I can make the world a better place, or how I can create my perfect job etc etc. Well I had an idea a couple of days ago and I have just sent a message to someone who I think can do something about it.
I was flicking through random pages on marvel.wikia.com when I came across a page on Larry Bodine. Larry was a teenage mutant character from a Marvel comic who only made one appearance, but it was a memorable one, for me at least.
In New Mutants Vol1 #45, Larry was introduced as a young mutant who was scared that someone would find out that he was a mutant. He worried that it was something to be ashamed of and kept himself to himself for fear of being "outed." I was 14 when I read the story and it struck a chord. I had long since recognised that mutants in comics could be held as an analogy for gays (or indeed an perceived difference from "the norm") and identified with the character, who was roughly the same age, a loner, had a similar (naff) haircut and wore glasses like me.
Larry killed himself only for one of the comics main characters to discover that he was a mutant, like her, and was able to create the most beautiful light sculptures. A stunning gift that anyone should be proud of.
It stood out as an amazingly supportive story, despite the suicide. It showed me that each of us could have a gift and, if we know what that gift is, we should embrace it no matter what other people think of it or of us. It also showed me that, if you hold on for just a little while longer you may find someone who you can share your "problems" with, or indeed share your gifts with. Just hold on.
I didn't have a gift, and have yet to find one, but I live my life trying, at least, to find that one more difference I can make on the world, one more mark to show that I was here and I mattered. Without going into details I can name two people, who I used to work with, who have actually told me that I have provided an example for them to be able to be themselves. That makes me proud. And, if I have done that with mere work colleagues then I hope that I have helped my family and close friends too in some ways.
I have just sent a message to Chris Claremont, who wrote the above-mentioned story, with a request that he attempts to get it republished, with a co-story giving an example of how someone's life has been great because they DIDN'T commit suicide. I suggested a "What If Larry Bodine lived?" story but that may be a bit naff, or a bit easy.
I don't know if he will really get the message I sent, but I hope that someone does and passes it on to someone able to do it. I would love to see this published as a positive message in support of the It Gets Better campaign. And maybe it can be something else I can feel proud of. If anyone reading has connections with the comic book industry then, by all means, pass on the idea and lets get this done.
Long time readers will know that occasionally I have these wild ideas for how I can make the world a better place, or how I can create my perfect job etc etc. Well I had an idea a couple of days ago and I have just sent a message to someone who I think can do something about it.
I was flicking through random pages on marvel.wikia.com when I came across a page on Larry Bodine. Larry was a teenage mutant character from a Marvel comic who only made one appearance, but it was a memorable one, for me at least.
In New Mutants Vol1 #45, Larry was introduced as a young mutant who was scared that someone would find out that he was a mutant. He worried that it was something to be ashamed of and kept himself to himself for fear of being "outed." I was 14 when I read the story and it struck a chord. I had long since recognised that mutants in comics could be held as an analogy for gays (or indeed an perceived difference from "the norm") and identified with the character, who was roughly the same age, a loner, had a similar (naff) haircut and wore glasses like me.
Larry killed himself only for one of the comics main characters to discover that he was a mutant, like her, and was able to create the most beautiful light sculptures. A stunning gift that anyone should be proud of.
It stood out as an amazingly supportive story, despite the suicide. It showed me that each of us could have a gift and, if we know what that gift is, we should embrace it no matter what other people think of it or of us. It also showed me that, if you hold on for just a little while longer you may find someone who you can share your "problems" with, or indeed share your gifts with. Just hold on.
I didn't have a gift, and have yet to find one, but I live my life trying, at least, to find that one more difference I can make on the world, one more mark to show that I was here and I mattered. Without going into details I can name two people, who I used to work with, who have actually told me that I have provided an example for them to be able to be themselves. That makes me proud. And, if I have done that with mere work colleagues then I hope that I have helped my family and close friends too in some ways.
I have just sent a message to Chris Claremont, who wrote the above-mentioned story, with a request that he attempts to get it republished, with a co-story giving an example of how someone's life has been great because they DIDN'T commit suicide. I suggested a "What If Larry Bodine lived?" story but that may be a bit naff, or a bit easy.
I don't know if he will really get the message I sent, but I hope that someone does and passes it on to someone able to do it. I would love to see this published as a positive message in support of the It Gets Better campaign. And maybe it can be something else I can feel proud of. If anyone reading has connections with the comic book industry then, by all means, pass on the idea and lets get this done.
Thanks for "listening."
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