The kiss in a Christina Aguilera video
Dear Augias, I'm straight, 21, and I have a partner. We enjoy each other, free to share affection and cuddles wherever we choose. We often kiss in crowds, on buses, or in line at the movies. She then looks around and, with a childish attitude, checks to make sure no one is watching, but as always, no one notices us, as is only right and proper. At most, an old lady or another couple might look at us tenderly. I feel free to go into a store and say I'd like to buy a gift for my girlfriend.
I'm happy that my parents and hers were thrilled to meet her and me, respectively. I'm happy to feel free to go to her house and have them find me cuddled up to her while we watch TV. I'm happy to introduce her to my friends and brag about everything she can do. I'm thrilled to be able to walk down the street holding her hand, proud to have her by my side. I'm happy to be able to think about spending my life with her, marrying her, and maybe having children. I'd be thrilled if one day a gay man felt free to write a letter like that.
Cosimo Pienotti
Dear Augias, I'm 40 years old, I live in Romagna, and I've been happily living with my partner for over 11 years. A few days ago, I read a letter from a gay man who outlined some of his problems. I have no reason to contradict what my friend said, but I'd like to point out that despite the problems, now, as never before, we have another opportunity: to decide our lives without being influenced by others. Yes, of course, the Church, intolerance, the difficulty of living a relationship in the light of day, but we also see the full end of the glass. Maybe it's because of my age and my experience, but I'm convinced we live in better times than ever before.
Society is much better equipped to "withstand the impact" of a homosexual and his lifestyle. A banal but significant example: a TV show like "Will & Grace" at 8 p.m. on a national network would have been unthinkable just a few years ago... Many things are changing; we need to be able to grasp them and recognize the moments of evolution in customs and thought. This depends on us homosexuals and on our ability to challenge, each in our own small way, the world and ourselves.
Sergio Cognati
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Heterosexual couples embracing in Villa Borghese, the Luxembourg Gardens, or Hyde Park inspire tenderness, are part of the landscape, and bring joy. I confess, however, that witnessing the same public displays of affection from a gay couple (male or female) would make me uncomfortable. I don't know if this is a personal weakness or a widespread feeling, but I'm exposing it, ready to welcome reactions, including the negative ones.
That said, I repeat the obvious consideration that homosexual love shares the flaws and virtues, mistakes and charms of any other love: fidelity, dedication, betrayal, passion, tenderness, plans for the future, small daily infamies. What's more, assessments like these are now shared by an ever-increasing number of people of all backgrounds and cultures.