Monday, March 26, 2012

The Dallas gayborhood

The intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Throckmorton Street near downtown Dallas is is the center of the Dallas gay community - also known as the Dallas gayborhood. It's really not that large of an area, just a few blocks really. And, to an unsuspecting person who just happened to be driving down the street - they might not even notice anything different than any other area with restaurants, bars, and clubs.

I remember my first trip to the Dallas gayborhood. It was not long after I finally accepted myself as gay. I was in Dallas for some reason I no longer remember. I had heard of the gayborhood and was curious. I got out my map and realized it wasn't that far out of my way; so, I took a little detour and drove through it.

It was actually a bit underwhelming - the streets were not lined with rainbow flags. I didn't see same sex couples walking down the street holding hands. In fact, the only thing that seemed a bit out of the ordinary was a cafe with an outdoor eating area where there were only men sitting at the tables. Still I was nervous, even fearful - it all seemed so forbidden.  I felt like I was committing some great sin by just being there even though I never even got out of my car. The only time I actually stopped was for a traffic light. Still, I felt guilty for some reason; so, I left and drove back home.

I've since been to the Dallas gayborhood a few times to meet with MoHo's for lunch or dinner.  I've strolled down the street, checked out some of the stores. It's a safe area where you can talk without fear of being looked down upon. Same sex couples can walk down the street holding hands without disapproving glares.

The other day I found myself in that part of town while making a delivery for our embroidery business.   I didn't even realize it when I left my home.  I was just following the GPS directions and noticed I was in a familiar place.  After making the delivery, I needed gas in my car; so, I pulled into the parking lot behind Hunky's (a hamburger joint where I've met with other MoHo's) so I could look up a nearby gas station on my GPS.

After filling up my car with gas, I was contemplating the different feeling I had this time compared with my first visit.  There was no feeling of guilt or fear; in fact, it felt familiar - even comfortable.

I've come a long way during the last 6 years since I've accepted myself as I really am.  I'm gay - and I'm OK with it.  And, sometimes it's nice just being around other gay people - even if they don't know, or even acknowledge, me.

4 comments:

Philip said...

I can relate.

I went from never feeling normal to feeling normal around gay people to feeling normal no matter who I was with to feeling free.

The feeling free thing comes and goes but it's nice.

Regards,
Philip

Unknown said...

Just remember dude, what you do with what's between your legs is different from what you do with what's in your heart.

Being gay involves love too and not just and casual orgasm.

--Rick
www.Dallas-Gayborhood.com

Anonymous said...

Lame blog.

Musicmaninpa said...

as I gay Mormon (reorganized church) I marvel at every depiction of Mormon life and that of a missionary as well as a son...and husband. This story had I written the story of my life would have looked exactly the same..even the feelings and emotions that Jon had the tremendous insight to show. The temple garments were very very important if you know the seriousness placed on them in temple rites....not to defile them or your bodies by what has to be done in them as a Mormon...yes they were important to show how deep desecration the homosexual must feel because of them....and yes....I have to say that I have made breakfast in the nude while running shower water...I marvel at the acting ability of Ben and Nick..they nailed every emotion...thru words and facial expressions..It was all there...every bit...so true to life that it hurt.....I want to see a third addition to the story...and it was not too long...or laborious...how could it be when it was life lived....by me and so many others...I only wish the deleted scenes had remained in the film.