In early December, I read the finale of Part 1 of my poly-novel at a Writers Forum in Los Gatos, CA. At least one colleague claims I freaked out part of the audience. The offending passage occurred when the protagonist is asked to say something about himself at a gathering:
"Friends," Albert finally said, "I don't quite know what to say. If I tell you that I am bisexual, polyamorous and pagan, I'm not sure you'll understand what I mean. I've fallen in love with both men and women. I can't seem to be happy with only one partner - in addition to my wife, I have a girlfriend I've been seeing for about a year. My wife is leaving me, I've been incapable of having sex with my girlfriend, and she told me I'd lost my soul."
This was apparently too shocking for at least one person present at the Forum. Anyway -- Caught up in the exuberance of actually telling the truth, Albert then asks his host who he is:
"Distinguished guests," Friedrich now went on, with a bit of a laugh, "Mr. Albert Horne wants to know: Am I Jew or Christian? Muslim or Atheist? Am I straight or gay or bisexual? Who am I? What am I? Pacifist? Nationalist? Happy, sad - what?"
He looked around the table with an extremely puzzling look. Then he turned to Albert and said, softly:
"Albert, you want to know who I am. I will tell you. I am a human being!"
I have just spent ten days with relatives in the eastern U.S. I long ago told my family about my sexuality and spirituality, with the result...that they never bring up sexuality or spirituality with me. My wife and I are not out, however, with certain members of her family because...well...it's hard to come out (in the way we would like to) to people that are increasingly Christian fundamentalist.
But does it matter? Is it necessary to be totally honest (like Albert in the novel) or merely human (like Friedrich)?
(For the record, I still prefer honest).