“Adam is a barber, and because he loves music he has worked for a number of years as a DJ. He’s a huge Oiler fan who has my two grand-kids brainwashed into thinking they’re the best team in the league. He’s a very caring likeable person. Adam is gay.”
That was the essence of the message sent during the Gay and Lesbian Integrity Association’s three-day workshop, OUTspoken, held on March 12, it included forums, workshops and speakers. The event was held at the University of Lethbridge. Friday night wound down with Terry Dreaddy, former Chief of the Taber Police Service, who is the parent of a gay son, speaking about his experiences. There were a few moments when he got a bit emotional while reliving the day he had gotten the phone call from his son, Adam.
“I don’t remember the first few words, I don’t know if I really ever heard them. I think I was subconsciously searching the conversation for the words that I expected. Accident, hurt, jail. He didn’t tell me he had broken of his engagement. Finally I heard the words. ‘Dad,’ he said, ‘I don’t like girls.’”
“I said ‘Is that all?’ I was relieved. I told him for a moment I thought that something was wrong, that something had happened. I think he was perhaps more relieved than I was to have it over with so I let him go.”
Dreaddy said that while concerned for Adam in terms of people accepting him and his future, he and his wife never felt there was anything wrong with Adam, that his differences became more of a teaching element to them as parents and people.
“I think my having taught my children to accept differences helped my son understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. I see no difference in him than I do my grandson who is left handed.
“However, I feel there is something wrong with a society who refuses him his basic human rights to be free, to love those of his choice. There’s something really wrong with individuals who put him down and discriminate against him and hurt or even kill him for living the life he has intended.”
It was the same message throughout OUTspoken. It was more than just a celebration of people who dare to be themselves. It was about awareness, and accepting different people in the world.
“To my son I would say: this is just the latest demonstration of my love and support for you. To the gays and lesbians in this room I would say: every generation needs to be taught and you need to be the teachers. And to the world I would say: There has always been and there will always be gays and lesbians. So get used to it.”