Why-are-we-like-this ? Hiding ? Or trying to be safe? Or wanting a better life?
Shit! I'm getting quite emotional now! I've been reading some of the 'why are we like this?' posts again, and Heath tributes, and the thread about the characters becoming "real" to Annie, and to us. Brokeback got me good again.
I don't think we're really hiding - like other forums BetterMost is out there on the web for anyone to see, but I do feel a palpable sense of 'banding together'. There's safety in numbers. We feel safe here to share our experiences, voice our opinions, admit our fears and our hopes. We can collect here without fear of being ridiculed for our beliefs and our dreams. No-one's going to judge us as crazy, or laugh at us for thinking that Jack and Ennis are real, because they're as real to us as we all are to each other, to our families and friends. Over recent days we've discussed what being a Brokie is, and though for each of us it's probably something slightly different, the story and the film and being a Brokie has changed our lives, and changed them for the better. I guess part of it's wanting to share that better life with other Brokies.
As Brokies what we all have in common is a belief in the messages of the story/film, messages that have made our lives better, messages that have opened our eyes to what's important and the values those instill in us. Maybe one day we won't need to 'hide' in places like BM, and the world will be more accepting, both of Brokies and gay men, and other groups of people who are oppressed. We can't change the world overnight, but we'll have a damned good try! In the meantime we have each other, and we can gain strength from each other. We have to believe that sweet life is within our grasp.