The Mad Minstrel

Lies are so abundant that I would almost call them acceptable. People tell white lies, lies of kindness, or omissions of truth. They’re not all bad; some could be out of self-preservation and others out of kindness but no matter how you look at it, they’re everywhere. Not long ago, I was asked if I could manage twenty-four hours without telling a lie. Sure, I thought. It’s just one day, how hard could it be? It’s almost adorable how naïve I was.

Apparently, I lie a lot. Like, A LOT!

I wasn’t aware of how often I lied and for what reasons until this experiment but, damn! I learned early in the day that I couldn’t survive without lying, not if I wanted to keep my life the way it was. Forget the simple questions like, how are you, because people generally ask them as a courtesy and aren’t looking for an investment. It was the general probing life questions that got me.

It turns out that I lie as a public service. Yes, I hear how ridiculous that sounds but bear with me.

Working in healthcare, I encounter people from every walk of life. I’m supposed to be a neutral party with whom they trust, not only with their lives but with their families and friends. The problem is, people are curious by nature and when we meet someone new, we often ask questions to get to know them and to find common ground. This happens to me all day, every day.

Questions that seem simple can so easily complicate a delicate situation. Questions like; Are you married, do you have a boyfriend, what’s your husband do for a living, etc.

This seems like a good time to bring up the fact that I am a VERY out and absolutely proud Lesbian. In my personal life, people can fuck right the hell off if they don’t like my lifestyle, but at work… I go there to help.

I didn’t always lie about who I was but when it proved more harmful to those I was there to help, it became necessary.

At this point you’re probably wondering how something so irrelevant could be harmful, but when I’m not allowed near the patients, I can’t do my job. Getting kicked out of patient’s rooms because of hatred, fear, or in one case – because the parents didn’t want their children exposed to my “ungodliness” – is a little counterproductive.

… But really, like they’re going to catch it? [Insert eye roll here]

So, if someone needs a little lie and a nice façade to let me help them, then that’s what they’ll get. Maybe someday people will realize that sexual orientation and identity have no bearing on morality. Until then, I’ll keep lying to help them, no matter how misguided they may be.