Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Gay Is Not Sex
For so many years, the word gay has been synonymous with sex. Is that our fault? Is it the fault of the media? We could place blame on us, on the media, on our parents, on society or just about anywhere we wanted. But, what good would that do.
In the 90s we changed our title from lovers to partners. During the past decade some of us went from being partners to being two mommies, two daddies, and in some states we are now legally married. We are the alternative family.
This is the reason I started The Green Monkey, an alternative family store. I wanted a family friendly store where the focus isn’t on sex but the alternative family unit. A store that promotes positive images of our families. A store where everyone can shop!
In the 90s we changed our title from lovers to partners. During the past decade some of us went from being partners to being two mommies, two daddies, and in some states we are now legally married. We are the alternative family.
This is the reason I started The Green Monkey, an alternative family store. I wanted a family friendly store where the focus isn’t on sex but the alternative family unit. A store that promotes positive images of our families. A store where everyone can shop!
First Alternative Family Store At Raleigh Flea Market
The Green Monkey is the first and only alternative family store at the Raleigh Flea Market offering products that promote a positive image for the alternative family. “Most other shops have more of an adult theme. At the Monkey, we celebrate families!” says Rusty Sutton, the owner of The Green Monkey. The most popular products are children’s books about alternative families, diversity and individuality. We carry hard to find titles such as the highly acclaimed book “And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson based on the true story of two male penguins in New York’s Central Zoo that form a relationship are mainstays at The Green Monkey. Other authors we offer are Todd Parr, Leslea Newman, Nancy Garden and many others.
After two successful years as an outside vendor, the business now operates from an inside building space at the end of the Market’s “Restaurant Row”. “I take great pride in welcoming Rusty Sutton’s Green Monkey to the indoor flea market family!” Marshall Stewart, General Manager of the Raleigh Flea Market says proudly.
Several product lines have been expanded and new ones added. Magnets and greeting cards from Village Lighthouse and an exciting new local company, Real World Products debuted during The Green Monkey’s opening weekend. The book selections have been expanded to include general fiction. Home décor selections will be added in the fall.
“We now have a storefront that offers a fun and exciting shopping environment for everyone in our community including families”, says Rusty Sutton, the owner. “Weather is not an issue. We now have a real storefront that happens to be at a flea market.”
The Green Monkey is open every Saturday & Sunday from 9-6 and is now available by appointment Monday through Friday 9-6. For more information: at www.thegreenmonkeyonline.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A04inweY4M
After two successful years as an outside vendor, the business now operates from an inside building space at the end of the Market’s “Restaurant Row”. “I take great pride in welcoming Rusty Sutton’s Green Monkey to the indoor flea market family!” Marshall Stewart, General Manager of the Raleigh Flea Market says proudly.
Several product lines have been expanded and new ones added. Magnets and greeting cards from Village Lighthouse and an exciting new local company, Real World Products debuted during The Green Monkey’s opening weekend. The book selections have been expanded to include general fiction. Home décor selections will be added in the fall.
“We now have a storefront that offers a fun and exciting shopping environment for everyone in our community including families”, says Rusty Sutton, the owner. “Weather is not an issue. We now have a real storefront that happens to be at a flea market.”
The Green Monkey is open every Saturday & Sunday from 9-6 and is now available by appointment Monday through Friday 9-6. For more information: at www.thegreenmonkeyonline.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A04inweY4M
Let Your Rainbows Shine!
I remember growing up in a small tobacco town in Eastern NC and how terrified I was of someone finding out I was a gay. There were times when I felt so alone and isolated. Was something wrong with me? Were there others like me?
On television, I remember hearing Anita Bryant declare how bad homosexuals were. Homosexuals will burn in hell. I remember asking my mom, “Do gay people really go to hell?” She replied irritably, “Why do you ask?” I quickly changed the subject and never asked again.
One of my first exposures to the “gay lifestyle” was watching the television show, “SOAP”, with Billy Crystal as the flamboyant Jodie Dallas. But, he dressed in his Mom’s clothes and wanted to have a sex change operation. Hold it right there! I didn’t want to be a girl! Didn’t have a female trapped in my body. I just liked looking at men with hairy chest!! This added to my confusion.
One day a friend of mine started talking with me. We talked about things, gay things. We even explored things with each other. Oh my god! I wasn’t by myself! There was, at least, one more like me. I wasn’t by myself. I had a friend that had the same urges as me.
Looking back, I realize how blessed I was to have a friend that was like me. I had someone I could share my feelings and questions. Everyone is not that lucky. And back then no one “advertised”.
Yes! We all should show our PRIDE! And not just one time a year at a festival. Let our PRIDE shine everyday of every year! There may be a young boy or girl that is feeling alone and isolated until they see a friend wearing a rainbow bracelet or button. Don’t be ashamed of who you are! God makes no mistakes. Let your rainbows shine!
Rusty Sutton is the owner of an alternative family store in Raleigh, NC called “The Green Monkey”. You are invited to learn more about The Green Monkey at http://www.thegreenmonkeyonline.com
On television, I remember hearing Anita Bryant declare how bad homosexuals were. Homosexuals will burn in hell. I remember asking my mom, “Do gay people really go to hell?” She replied irritably, “Why do you ask?” I quickly changed the subject and never asked again.
One of my first exposures to the “gay lifestyle” was watching the television show, “SOAP”, with Billy Crystal as the flamboyant Jodie Dallas. But, he dressed in his Mom’s clothes and wanted to have a sex change operation. Hold it right there! I didn’t want to be a girl! Didn’t have a female trapped in my body. I just liked looking at men with hairy chest!! This added to my confusion.
One day a friend of mine started talking with me. We talked about things, gay things. We even explored things with each other. Oh my god! I wasn’t by myself! There was, at least, one more like me. I wasn’t by myself. I had a friend that had the same urges as me.
Looking back, I realize how blessed I was to have a friend that was like me. I had someone I could share my feelings and questions. Everyone is not that lucky. And back then no one “advertised”.
Yes! We all should show our PRIDE! And not just one time a year at a festival. Let our PRIDE shine everyday of every year! There may be a young boy or girl that is feeling alone and isolated until they see a friend wearing a rainbow bracelet or button. Don’t be ashamed of who you are! God makes no mistakes. Let your rainbows shine!
Rusty Sutton is the owner of an alternative family store in Raleigh, NC called “The Green Monkey”. You are invited to learn more about The Green Monkey at http://www.thegreenmonkeyonline.com
Just Like You
A handsome guy is walking down main street anywhere in the US. A pretty girl walks up to him and strikes up a conversation. She asks him out on a date. He agrees.
A handsome guy is walking down main street anywhere in the US. Another handsome guy walks up to him and strikes up a conversation. He asks him out on a date. The first handsome guy beats the hell out of the second handsome guy.
What is the difference? Why wouldn’t the guy be flattered that someone found him interesting enough to ask him out on a date.
I just viewed a video from, The Ellen DeGeneres show from February 2008 about the 15 year 8th grader that was shot by another male 8th grader because he asked him to be his Valentine. I began to cry as I watched and heard the story. I remember as a young boy being taunted by others because I was different. I didn’t really understand the feelings I was feeling but obviously they did. They called me the ugly f*g word. They called me sissy. And I was beat up a couple of times. Nothing severe but still hit because I was different. That was in the 70s. Now in the 2000s kids are being murdered!! My god, people this must stop!
Gay people are not second class citizens. Some of us are Christians just like you. Some of us are atheist just like you. Some of us are fat, some of us are little, some of us are crazy, some of us are smarter, just like you! Some of us have been in a loving relationship for 20+ years just like you. Some of us have been in several relationships just like you. Some of us have children just like you.
We deserve to live just like you.
A handsome guy is walking down main street anywhere in the US. Another handsome guy walks up to him and strikes up a conversation. He asks him out on a date. The first handsome guy beats the hell out of the second handsome guy.
What is the difference? Why wouldn’t the guy be flattered that someone found him interesting enough to ask him out on a date.
I just viewed a video from, The Ellen DeGeneres show from February 2008 about the 15 year 8th grader that was shot by another male 8th grader because he asked him to be his Valentine. I began to cry as I watched and heard the story. I remember as a young boy being taunted by others because I was different. I didn’t really understand the feelings I was feeling but obviously they did. They called me the ugly f*g word. They called me sissy. And I was beat up a couple of times. Nothing severe but still hit because I was different. That was in the 70s. Now in the 2000s kids are being murdered!! My god, people this must stop!
Gay people are not second class citizens. Some of us are Christians just like you. Some of us are atheist just like you. Some of us are fat, some of us are little, some of us are crazy, some of us are smarter, just like you! Some of us have been in a loving relationship for 20+ years just like you. Some of us have been in several relationships just like you. Some of us have children just like you.
We deserve to live just like you.
Shoving It!
Back in July when my store, The Green Monkey moved into our new storefront I sent out press releases to area newspapers. The small community newspaper, The Cleveland Post, ran the story along with some pictures of the new store. A day after the newspaper article ran I received my first “hate homosexuals” email from an anonymous female reader. (Aren’t they always anonymous?!) Her email stated that I should be ashamed of myself and that I would burn in hell for what I was doing. She also stated that she was tired of homosexuals shoving their lifestyle in her face and in her children’s face.
I wondered why she thought my store would be shoving any lifestyle in her face or anyone’s face for that matter. Isn’t it the heterosexuals that are shoving their lifestyle in our face! Everywhere you turn you see heterosexual couples enjoying themselves and living their lives, openly and without ridicule. You see them in the parks, in restaurants, in commercials, in print advertising, in the movies and read about them in books! When was the last time you saw a commercial depicting a homosexual couple on one of the BIG national networks? How many Family Christian Bookstores are there in your area compared to an Alternative Family Store? So, who is doing the shoving here?
Our families may look different but our family is built on a foundation of love just like theirs. All families deserve to be recognized and respected. My vision is one day to see an alternative family store on every street corner, too! I am very proud to be an owner of a store where two Mommies or two Daddies can bring their children to find books and more about their family!
I wondered why she thought my store would be shoving any lifestyle in her face or anyone’s face for that matter. Isn’t it the heterosexuals that are shoving their lifestyle in our face! Everywhere you turn you see heterosexual couples enjoying themselves and living their lives, openly and without ridicule. You see them in the parks, in restaurants, in commercials, in print advertising, in the movies and read about them in books! When was the last time you saw a commercial depicting a homosexual couple on one of the BIG national networks? How many Family Christian Bookstores are there in your area compared to an Alternative Family Store? So, who is doing the shoving here?
Our families may look different but our family is built on a foundation of love just like theirs. All families deserve to be recognized and respected. My vision is one day to see an alternative family store on every street corner, too! I am very proud to be an owner of a store where two Mommies or two Daddies can bring their children to find books and more about their family!
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