An eye opening experience this weekend.....

[8 track mind]

A friend of mine had been badgering me for weeks to attend the big Renaissance fair north of Houston, Tx. I finally relented and we spent the weekend there.

I had the time of my life! I ate a lot of good food, bought a Christmas present for my wife, and got one hell of a buzz off of mead and assorted imported beers. I never knew the 16th century was so much fun!

My friend really dresses the part, complete with a very real and razor sharp sword. It's all period correct and his fake British accent is not that bad. Needless to say he's sunk a lot of money into his costume. He gets a lot of attention from people, constantly being stopped by the attendees so they can take his picture.

We were on our way out of the festival Sunday evening when we were approached by a gay couple with three kids asking for advice and directions. It was obviously their first time there and they couldn't decide on what to do first. Their kids pestered my friend with questions about his costume, which he answered in his best period correct accent, addressing the two little girls as "m'lady!" and the little boy as "gov'ner". The two parents just loved it and were laughing at the kids.

In all honesty, i have no idea if they were their kids or not. It sure seemed like it to me.

Here's what i observed from that chance encounter:

1. Those two parents genuinely loved each other. It was the exact same type of love i share with my wife of 3 years. It doesn't matter if a person is straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, whatever..... love is love.

2. Those kids were the most happiest, healthiest, well adjusted kids i have seen in a long time. The eyes of the little girls could have lit up a dark room.

I have always supported GLBT rights, but after this chance encounter the reality of it all hit home. All i can say is this:


You guys deserve the right to marry. Period.

[MadMaddie]

1. Thank you for sharing your observation!

These stories are what the Neocons don't want Americans to hear, that gay couples are like any other couple.

:fistbump:

[rwheeler31]

2. Those art festivals are so interesting to all kids. They need to

get history and perspective.

[LeftHander]

3. Good thing it wasn't the Medieval Festival....

They would of pilloried the couple.

Oh wait they would do that at Creation World Theme Park too.

[8 track mind]

4. Creation World would kick me out within 5 seconds

for laughing hysterically!

[tbyg52]

5. Nice story!

All these years in the area, and I have not been to the Ren Fest yet - guess I will have to go now!

[8 track mind]

8. I was honestly dragged kicking and screaming the whole way

thinking this was going to be the dumbest thing i had ever attended in my life. We camped next to a bunch who sang pirate songs until 3 in the morning. By that point i was wondering just what in the hell i got myself into. That all changed once i set foot in the place!

Just too much to see and do there. You have to go experience it for yourself!!

[Twitch14]

6. OK, you know you're a Ren geek when....

...the first thing that jumped out at me was that you attended a Faire where people can wear sharpened steel AND drink. With most Faires, that's an either/or situation, for obvious reasons. (Unless your friend worked there, which is unclear.)

Still, great story, and I hope you attend many more!

[8 track mind]

7. yeah he really gets into it

the sword is really well built and the company he bought it from had a booth at that fair.They require the swords to be "peace tied" The whole time i was there, nobody really had a foul attitude of any kind. I will be going back next year!

I also saw a lot of transgender people there. Everybody as far as i'm concerned were having a great time with out fear of harrasment.