Nobody is born knowing...

I watched an episode of a new series on ABC last night called Family Footsteps.

"Family Footsteps is a four-part Australian documentary series, creating a "sliding door" experience for four young people by returning them to their migrant parents' homeland. Faced with challenges and surprises along the way, these intrepid explorers live as locals, experiencing how their lives could be today if fate had taken a different course.

The first in the series is Patty Veliz a 31-year-old Quechuan from Peru. Her family migrated to Australia when she was six-years-old. Today, Patty like her mother is a passionate and committed Seventh Day Adventist. The church is a key aspect in her social and spiritual life. Patty's father is a Shaman as was his mother before him..."

Thats the beginning of the blurb that you can continue to read from the link above.

I started watching it at about 8:45pm. I was intrigued by the fact that she was obviously someone indigenous from South America (I didnt know where at the time until she said so herself that she was "Indigenous Peruvian"), but she spoke fluent English with an Australia Accent. As i didnt read up about this show before hand, i didnt know what i was watching. But since i was intrigued i continued to watch it until the end.

The title of today's blog comes from the episode. It was something one of the older women (she got to know) in Peru had told her. I think its very insightful, which is also the way i felt while watching it.

But the funny thing is...while this show was about Patty and her wanting to discover more about the witchcraft her father practices - where it all began, the power of healing, what it all means to her, etc...i wasnt particularly floored by all the weird superstitious type of subject.

What i was floored by at the end of the show was actually something that i really didnt think i would be affected by so much!

I like to think that i am open minded. When it comes to other people's beliefs and their way of life, it doesnt often bother me...so long as they dont try to impose it on my beliefs and way of life.

Oddly enough, i was actually stunned when i saw Patty kiss her partner upon her return to Sydney.

Her partner was another female.

I dont think i have a problem with gays or lesbians. I have always wanted a gay friend, because i think they would provide the manly protection as much as the feminine emotional support i want and need - all in the one person without the sexual tension. I'm not sure about a lesbian friend, but i know wouldnt use that as an excuse not to be a person's friend.

I was disgusted by my reaction. Because i truly believe that i am, like i said, open minded. I was shocked and appalled that i reacted the way i did. They kissed and they were happy to see each other...am i just a prude?

I told a male co-worker and he just laughed at me and then called me a "prude"!

But then he noted that I was just reacting as most men do when they see gay men kiss. They dont really have problems with men being gay, well most men dont really have that problem because they try to be open minded too - but it still makes them feel funny! So, in actual fact, my reaction was quite "normal".

He also added that straight men would actually enjoy watching lesbians kiss.

Although, i get the feeling that most women would be like me and would not be turned on when seeing two gay men kiss.

If you are a girl, how would you feel when you see 2 girls kiss?