Knowing Quentin Crisp.

Back in late August 2012, someone asked me if I knew who Quentin Crisp was.

“Of course I know who he is” I replied in a not-so-eloquent manner.

That tidbit was one of the few things I remember from that night. It had tied in with a conversation about Doctor Who somewhat. Now ask me about anything else that happened that night. My next response would be ‘answers on a postcard please.’

Anyway…for the past two days, the U.S. Supreme Court have been going over the case about same sex marriages. (http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/26/politics/same-sex-marriage-court)

Personally, I don’t even know why we’re even debating this in this day and age. If anything, it’s a distraction from other issues. Let’s say two people are lucky to find love with one another. Then what difference does it make whether or not if it’s a union between opposite genders or the same sex? Is it really any of our business? Oh, and if gay couples want to be as miserable as straight couples, then be my guest. Cause it’s not that I’m against gay marriage. I’m all for it. I just question why anyone would want to get married in the first place, regardless of gay, straight or whatever.

I jest. If I found someone I was truly in love with, then I would get married. Deep down inside I’m a romantic at heart. It’s just hard to find that special someone who will put up with your nonsense 24-7, and vice-versa. There’s love and then there’s the pure, unconditional love. Anyone can fall in ‘love.’ It’s whether or not it’s unconditional that remains to be seen.

I’ve been lucky though. I’ve had experiences of this unconditional love that I speak of. Despite my increasingly misanthropic outlook, I would not hesitate to give unconditional love in return.

What is love in general? Why do people get married in the first place? Chances are, it’s not really love. People marry for all sorts of reasons, and usually it’s for the wrong ones. So when it’s in the right, marriage no matter what sexual orientation shouldn’t matter.

If I was a divorce lawyer, I would be delighted for the national legalization of gay marriage. Just think about all the increased revenue!

I kid, I kid. I know a few married gay couples, and they’re doing just fine. A union should be one of choice. Haven’t quoted Alister Crowley in a long time, but this comes to mind:

4. Man has the right to love as he will:—

“take your fill and will of love as ye will,
when, where, and with whom ye will.” —AL. I. 51

There you have it. So when news of gay marriages and nine justices debating about same sex marriage was heard, I thought about Quentin Crisp. If he was still alive, I wonder how he would feel about it. After all, he was the Oscar Wilde of our time. A raconteur daring to live an openly homosexual lifestyle when it was illegal in Britain. A man brave enough to live as an eccentric, setting an example for generations to come. Most of all, he was an individual whose every move developed into a work of art. Most people should be so lucky to be that exciting.

Regardless of the US Supreme outcome, here’s two Quentin inspired pieces I created. One is a meme that I’m giving away. Please feel free to use it and pass it along.

The other is a drawing and watercolor illustration done in the wee hours of the night. Pen, ink and shimmery, glitter watercolor. Again, the scan does not do justice to the glitter watercolor effect. In person this painting looks kinda pretty. A fitting portrait of a pioneer.

And yes, I know who Quentin Crisp is. Everyone should.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Crisp

http://www.crisperanto.org/