Not sure if you read it, not sure if you care, but author of Eat Pray Love just announced that her husband and her have split because she is in love with her best friend, who, unfortunately, has just diagnosed with terminal cancer [Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a heartfelt message to friends and fans regarding her recent news that you can read, if you like, right here.]
It explains incredibly eloquently how her best friend’s diagnosis made her come to the realization that she was madly in love with said best friend, and that she is going to spend every last moment she can with her new partner. [Trust me. She said it waaaay better, my words are a shite version.]
But it’s what she didn’t say that really got me right in the feels.
She never said she was gay.
Not once. Not a lesbian, not bi, not gay. She didn’t rant about the change of straight to gay, she didn’t mention the personal struggles of the same, because Elizabeth Gilbert is not gay, SHE’S IN LOVE.
And I am in love! And the girl who sits next to me at work is in love! And isn’t that what our end goal ALWAYS is? LOVE LOVE LOVE! Aren’t we ALL searching for that gift, that honour of being loved? I am so sick of the categories. Bi-sexual, pansexual, gay, straight, trans - SHUT UP! Why must every human being fall into a category? Can we not just love and be loved? Must we watch endless TV, read endless social media, and have these categories shoved in our faces time and time again, simply so we all understand what category we all fall into? ENOUGH LABELLING! My label maker has long since broke.
In this crazy world where sensitivity is a fashion statement, and a large percentage of the populus needs to spike their drinks with a little ‘get over yourself’ I applaud and am grateful for her choice to leave labels out of her story, whether she realizes she did it or not - her story was touching, positive, and about the one thing that we all deserve……love. I am hoping this is the start of love stories to come …… from all paths, from all people.
Like one of Elizabeth's’ fans/commenters said ‘may it be infinite while it lasts’. Here’s to you both.
#LABELLESSLOVE
