Immediately I drew a new connection with Ariel. She’s different than everyone else. She doesn’t obey the rules, she doesn’t do what her father asks of her, and all she wants is to be loved by someone she can never have.
After rescuing the dashing and hot (in a Disney cartoon way) Prince Eric from the shipwreck, she sings the beautiful reprise to “Part of Your World”.
What would I give
To live where you are?
What would I pay
To stay here beside you?
What would I do to see you
Smiling at me?
As I paid attention to the lyrics as an adult gay man, they struck a different chord within me. I tried in vain to hold back a few tears as the song unfolded. These words are words that I have said to myself when wondering what I would do to be loved by another man.
Where would we walk?
Where would we run?
If we could stay all day in the sun?
Just you and me
And I could be
Part of your world
I could imagine myself with the man I loved, just…being together. The two of us; free to love one another. That’s what it all comes down to…love. There is a huge misconception that heterosexuals have relationships and gay people have sex. Gay people want to be loved just like anyone else. This song was what I’ve been trying to tell people all along.
I don't know when
I don't know how
But I know something's starting right now
Watch and you'll see
Some day I'll be
Part of your world
What would I give? Would I give up my membership in the only Church that I believe and know to be true for myself? Would I give up my family relationships to pursue a life of love?
I think Sebastian, the crab, put it the best. When he finds out when Ariel has traded her voice to the Sea Witch, Ursula for legs, he says, “I'm gonna march meself home and tell him right this minute--and don’t you shake your head at me, young lady! Maybe there's still time. If we could get that witch to give you back your voice, you could go home with all the normal fish and just be... just be... just be miserable for the rest of your life”.
We can’t live a life of misery just because we aren’t like the “normal fish”. We can’t be expected to hang our heads in sorrow and do just like everyone else does. We have been given a blessing to be different. We have been given the opportunity to share in one of the best parts of the human experience: love.
Now…if only I can get the courage to pursue that dream myself.
I think it's a part of the natural evolution of life. Ocean creatures become amphibians, which in turn become full-fledged land creatures. Likewise, we must evolve into the people we were meant to be. It seems you are, like Ariel, losing your gills and gaining legs, and that is very honorable.
ReplyDeleteCan you build the courage to pursue your dream? I guess you have to pick what is the most important to you and go from there.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought however, that God being all knowing, has dreams greater for us than we can ever imagine. When we put our own dreams first, we are surely choosing the smaller dream. I guess we have to figure out which direction it is that God really wants us to go. God doesn't desire our misery. He created man that he might have joy.
Have you ever read the original story of the Little Mermaid (not the idealized Disney version)? The analogy to being gay and Mormon becomes even more poignant, IMOHO.
ReplyDeleteIn the original story, not only does she give up her voice, she becomes a beautiful dancer. However, it constantly feels like she is walking on swords causing her feet to bleed. In the end, the prince does not marry her and she dissolves into sea foam and is turned into a spirit where she can earn her own eternal soul by doing good deeds to eventually rise to heaven.
beautiful post, Andy. God bless.
ReplyDeleteDisney movies are jam-packed with inspirational songs for people in all walks of life. Some of the one's that resonate with me are Mulan's Reflection, Hercules' I Can Go the Distance, Anastasia's (I know, not Disney) Journey to the Past, and Hunchback's Someday.
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