Gay heroes and The Anniversery of 9/11

This day will always be a somber day for us, as it is for all of us. I think everyone can remember where they were the day the Twin Towers collapsed, We will never forget the tape recordings of the final goodbyes of the victims of that day, made to their loved ones. I'm crying just writing this on the page....

This video made by Sean Chapin on Youtubube, to memorialize his friend brings another dimension to that day. That the suffering inflicted on that day not only affected one segment of the american population (I.E. straight people) but that it affected all of us as americans. It also showed forth that there are heroes among us and one of those hereos happened to be gay.
For those of you who dont know...or remember the story, Marc Bingham was one of the men bleieved to have stormed the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93. This was not the first example of bravery or hereoism on his part as his surviving partner, Paul Holm attests to this day. Twice he faught off muggings in San Francisco, one armed, among other examples of his courage including being gored by a pull at the running of the bulls in Pamplona.



I didnt not have the privledge of knowing Marc in life like Sean did , but his story reminds all of us of many things. First, even though society views gays as weaker and/or less than them...nothing could be further fromt he truth. Gay men and women do extraordinary things everyday and have cause to hold there heads up with pride. This man was one example of that. Secondly, the pain and lessons of September 11th are not the exclusive province of of any political group to be used for their benefit. This day belongs to us all as americans and human beings, each of us bears the scar of this day in our heart. And finally, that a hero doesnt wear a cape and mask or swing a lightsaber, more often than not they are normal people that find the strength to act even though the are scared out of their minds.


As we reflect on this day and Marcs life and sacrifice, we remember that he wasn't the only one to offer his life on that day...but how important it was that he did. His life shows the extraordinary in all of us.