The O-town Scene

Diversity Rules by Jim Koury 2 major actions in life: Choose, dream As I was perusing through some quotes on dreams I found a great one by Joy Page, “Dream and give yourself permission to envision a you that you choose to be.” When I read this, I decided it was the one to premise this week’s column on. Life involves two major actions: choosing and dreaming. Life clearly is a series of choices. It is those choices that have gotten us to our current situations in life. Choices are sometimes made in direct proportion to others’ actions and influences in our lives. Because of the influence of others, we sometimes make choices that are not in our best interests. Many times, we end up regretting the choice we made since it was not grounded in self-advance- ment and pursuit of one’s purpose. Dreaming is an integral part of making choices LGBTQ Events Thu. 7/7 Trash Thursday with Katrina, 9 p.m., Merlin’s, 201 State St., Binghamton. Fri. 7/8 College Night, Merlin’s, 201 State St., Binghamton. Col- lege ID’s in free before 11 p.m. College Night, Twist Ultra Lounge: 252 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Sat .7/9 Paisley for Brains, 8 p.m. Take a musical trip through the psychedelic 60s with Musty Chiffon at the Black Box Theater, Little Falls. Mon. 7/11 Friends of Sean Massey Fundraising Dinner, 5 to 9 p.m., Tranquil Bar and Bistro, 36 Pine St., Binghamton. Thu. 7/14 Franco Feeling, 7 p.m., Franco Feeling returns to the Tran- quil Bar and Bistro, 36 Pine St. Binghamton. Sat. 7/16 Star Crazy, 8 p.m., a live vocal and visual recreation spoofing the ladies of Hollywood at the Black Box The- ater, Little Falls. Sun. 7/24 Marriage Equality Party, 4 to 7 p.m., venue to be an- nounced. $10 tickets available at www.diversityrules- magazine.com. Fri. 8/26 Queers United and Friends, 9 p.m., Oneonta Theatre. Admission $5. 18 O-Town Scene July 7, 2011 DIVERSITY WRITERS Interested in contributing a column to the Diversity Scene? E-mail editor@otownscene.com I challenge those reading this that are closeted to choose to dream a dream that is reflective of your inner essence. Let your soul guide your actions. that serve our own best interests. The two actions are integrally intertwined. The bigger the dream, the more grounded the choice will be in pursuing one’s mission in life rather than someone else’s. When we stop dreaming about a better life for ourselves that is when we grow old in spirit and mind, and regrets over actions not taken, begin to dominate our thoughts. When one is in the closet, their dreams and aspirations tend to be limited, because of the fear of being found out. They limit themselves to the fabricated lives they have woven, to hide their true essence of whom they are inside. When one’s life paradigm is built upon a false reality, others will directly influence how one thinks and the choices made in their lives will be grounded in another’s perception of their real- ity. I challenge those reading this that are closeted to choose to dream a dream that is reflective of your inner essence. Let your soul guide your actions and choices by dreaming of life beyond your false façade. Do not wake up in your golden years regretting choices not made. Cast off your fears of living your life as an out and proud LGBTQ person making the contributions to society grounded in your true essence, dictated by the desires of your soul. You deserve no less. Society needs you to express your inherent cre- ativity buried within. All you need to do is dream you are living your life as the true you. Then make choices that bring that dream to fruition. — Jim Koury Jim Koury was born and raised in Oneonta. He is a gay activist, and the city clerk of Oneonta, a position he has held for 18 years. He can be reached at editor@diversityrules- magazine.com. the Diversity Scene July 7-13

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