Oh my GOD!!! Like, Socialism soooo sucks… I mean… I don’t know…

httpv://youtu.be/Bzvm7zd4Z-s

A Romney supporter…. because he’s, like, so hot!

Video: Marriage News Watch for 10/22/12

httpv://youtu.be/OYws-RYPXKE

DOMA found unconstitutional for the 8th time.  Polling shows support for marriage equality in WA and MD.

Video: Clergy for Marriage Equality in MD

httpv://youtu.be/Qx1QzWr2WXw

A great video from prominent clergy in Maryland arguing that CIVIL marriage is “right, just and fair.”  They debunk the myth spread by the bigots on the right that churches would be required to perform same-sex marriages.  That has never been the case… churches in this country have always discriminated and will always be allowed to discriminate.   But the government should not be allowed to.

 

Your Morning Quotation

“Middle age is when you’ve met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else.”

Ogden Nash

Violent, Homophobic Cartoon in Univ of AZ Newspaper

The above cartoon was published this week in the Daily Wildcat, the University of Arizona’s daily newspaper.  Obviously, in received a lot of attention.  Yesterday, the paper ran an apology that read, in part:

“On Tuesday, the Wildcat staff made a serious error in judgment in printing a cartoon that some readers felt was homophobic and inappropriate.

The views of individual staff members do not represent the views of the Wildcat, nor does the Wildcat reflect the views of the UA. However, printing the cartoon was irresponsible to our readers. We apologize.”

A few things crossed my mind.  First of all, how did this cartoon get in the paper?  I am a big supporter of free speech, but something that condones violence against anyone, especially a child, has no place in a school newspaper.   Secondly, to say that “… some readers felt [the cartoon] was homophobic and inappropriate.”  boggles my mind.  No matter what your views are on gays, a cartoon that has a father joking about killing a gay child cannot, in anyone’s imagination, be anything BUT homophobic.

If you feel as strongly as I do, I urge you to sign the change.org petition asking for consequences for the cartoonist, editor and copy editor.  I don’t know if I think they should be fired, but something more than the half-hearted, non committal apology the paper ran yesterday is certainly in order.  You’ll find a link to the petition here.

 

Your Morning Quotation

“If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur.” – Doug Larson

The Trevor Project

20121016-045738.jpg

Video: Marriage News Watch for 10-15-12

Anti-gay lies continue… Polling shows growing support… Obama Administration eases deportation on married bi national couples… and France may have marriage equality in 2 weeks!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG1zdE9PCcg&feature=g-user-u

Workplace Discrimination

Check out this infographic from Compliance and Safety, a safety training company in Delaware.  It shows the economic cost of discrimination.  The message?  Discrimination is bad business…. hear that FRC, GOP, AFA, Chick-fil-a, etc?

Today is National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day was started in 1988 by psychologist Robert Erichberg.  Observed internationally, it is a day LGBT individuals celebrate the fact that they live openly within their communities.

I came out late in life.  For a variety of reasons, I could not accept the fact that I was gay.  Denial can be powerful, but due to some life changing events, I began to work with  a therapist in 2005.  During one session I said the three words that would change my life – I am gay.  The first time I said those words out loud, I  had a rush of adrenaline so powerful, I almost passed out.   It was one of the most frightening experiences I had ever experienced, but at the same time, it was a relief.  It was something I had hidden, even from myself, from the time I was very young.  Over time, I practiced saying it to close friends.  I changed my password to “IAMGAY” to help get used to it.  Coming out to my wife of over 21 years was very difficult.  After the initial shock and sadness, she became my closest ally and helped me accept myself.  We told our two children together.  Again, this was very difficult – but my kids were amazing.  They were devastated that we would be getting a divorce, but they wanted me to be happy.  When I told my daughter I was sorry, she said, “Daddy, why would you ever be sorry for being who you are?”.  My son said, “Dad, I am so proud of you”.

Our marriage was probably the best one that has ever ended in divorce.  We continue to be close and involved together as parents, but more importantly, as best friends.

Being out has lead me to be truly happy and at ease for the first time in my life.  I am happily (and legally) married to love of my life, Michael.  The issues and problems that come up as a part of life are much more manageable without the weight of the closet door holding me back.

My dad died last week.  I am so sad about losing him I have a constant ache in my chest – but I have no regrets.  My dad accepted me completely as a gay man.  He loved my ex-wife like a daughter, but equally accepted Michael as a part of our family.  We had no secrets or barriers when he died – only love and acceptance.

Coming out never really ends for a gay person.  Each time you meet someone new, or you see someone from your past, you need to come out all over again.  It may be by introducing your husband or mentioning that you belong to an LGBT running group, but it still comes up.  But it gets easier and easier.  And people are more accepting.  Over 70% of Americans know or are related to someone who is gay, and as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people continue to come out and live their lives openly, that number will reach 100% soon.  I believe we will have marriage equality soon.  I believe the bigots that shout and shake their fists will go the way of the racists of the 60’s and be judged as villains by our children studying history.  I believe more athletes, actors and public figures will begin to come out.  And within a few a decade or two, being gay will be about as exotic and notable as being left handed.  I can’t wait.