Life in Oz

There is some sort of internal struggle going on with my organs. The last two nights sleeping has been fitful while sweating profusely. Awaking every few hours soaked from the amount of heat I'm throwing is less than comforting. Add in a massive headache and the chills and you've got what's been happening to me during sleep hours. Being here has been less than enjoyable however there's simply too much going on to go home. Terrible attitude, I know. Not sure if it is the artichoke dish I made last night for dinner or just a bug. I'm voting for the bug. Might be wise to take the night off from yoga and running just to hang out and do nothing. Although sometimes yoga can send me back on the mend like nothing else.

Watched a documentary last night about coming out in the developing world. There were interviews and case studies from Cairo to Namibia, gay and lesbian alike. With the advent of Stonewall and equal rights for the gay community here in the late 60's and early 70's, the same sort of movements were formed throughout the world. The horrifying sights in the film were demonstrating just how closeted even now people have to live in the developing world. There was actual footage of world leaders in these countries saying "Let them be gay in the Netherlands, gay in the United States, but not here! Gays must be killed and removed from the country!". I do remember one friend of mine in Peace Corps discussing gay issues in her village, which was considered taboo and I for one never broached the subject. (Keep in mind I was so far in the closet at that point that even I didn't think I was gay!) When she brought it up the simple response was that gays did not exist. There was no such thing in the villages and if they did, Allah would strike them down. There were gay people there and not once was one struck down. Although to the degree of which they were "out" was minimal, if at all. The documentary's main focus was about the 52 men sentenced to 3 years in jail for the crime of "debauchery" as opposed to being gay, which there were no laws against. There were countless stories of life in the developing world where there is a high possibility that harm will come to you should you come out. It's easy to forget these issues living in a place like San Francisco, the gayest of the gay.