Heard while sitting on the porch and handing out candy to scores of costumed children at Casa de Canterbury during tonight’s neighborhood twilight Trick or Treat marathon:
“Don’t go to that house – they’re gay,” said a father to his children. And they turned away.
I told Pretty that, even after our 40 years of activism, my feelings were still hurt.
“Unkindness always hurts,” Pretty said.
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About Sheila Morris
Sheila Morris is a personal historian, essayist with humorist tendencies, lesbian activist, truth seeker and speaker in the tradition of other female Texas storytellers including her paternal grandmother.
In December, 2017, the University of South Carolina Press published her collection of first-person accounts of a few of the people primarily responsible for the development of LGBTQ organizations in South Carolina. Southern Perspectives on the Queer Movement: Committed to Home will resonate with everyone interested in LGBTQ history in the South during the tumultuous times from the AIDS pandemic to marriage equality.
She has published five nonfiction books including two memoirs, an essay compilation and two collections of her favorite blogs from I'll Call It Like I See It. Her first book, Deep in the Heart: A Memoir of Love and Longing received a Golden Crown Literary Society Award in 2008. Her writings have been included in various anthologies - most recently the 2017 Saints and Sinners Literary Magazine. Her latest book, Four Ticket Ride, was released in January, 2019.
She is a displaced Texan living in South Carolina with her wife Teresa Williams and their dogs Spike, Charly and Carl. She is also Naynay to her two granddaughters Ella and Molly James who light up her life for real. Born in rural Grimes County, Texas in 1946 her Texas roots still run wide and deep.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
Damn, they missed the poisoned candy 😦
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Of course…because that’s what gay people always put in Halloween candy!
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When they’ve run out of razor blades.
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Exactly.
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Aaaaarrrrgh.
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That makes my heart hurt……
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It was sad on so many levels…
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That is very sad, Sheila. What a way to bring up your children. But I am sad fo r them, not you. You are better than that. You may be sad but it will never stop you from being you. Go, girl !!!
Love,
Anne
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Thanks so very much, Anne…I can always count on you for support and encouragement and love.
For that I am very grateful – it makes me happy!
Much love,
Sheila
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I’m trying to think of a way to respond to this but I can’t because there is no sense to this man’s irrational and ignorant comment. Their loss, both in candy and humanity.
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Exactly, Susanne – and we did have some yummy candy treats!!
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I am always appalled at such crazy people. What? Where were they raised to be so “backwards” and unfeeling? So sorry, but do feel mostly bad for their children.
Happy Autumn and always think of Red when I visit. xoxo I love you, girls!
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Yes, Robin, of course that’s the problem for sure, but we can always hope his children have other role models that are kind people. Your children and grandchildren are our future of hope.
Thanks for stopping and for always thinking of Red – I miss him every day, too.
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To teach a child to hate is one of the wickedest of acts. I am so sorry you were hurt.
Sending peace and harmony to my Southern sisters.
Love,
Ann
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Thanks very much, Ann. To teach a child to hate is truly wicked. I only hope their mother/teacher/President or someone teaches them that love is more powerful than hate.
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