Probably inappropriate for a post...

Below is a letter that I sent my family, and it goes through some of the thoughts that have been going through my head lately. I look at it and think it's pathetic, but I know there is no way to convey everything I want to say probably even in a book, let alone an email to them.

Here it goes:

This is a letter to people that I care about. And I hope that you care about me. On June 5, 2006, the legislative branch is scheduled to vote on the "Federal Marriage Amendment". Why is this the case? Paraphrasing from pamplets distributed during the Amendment 2 campaign in Colorado, this is why:

Homosexuals objective is to destroy the family
"Homosexuality isn't something you 'are', it's something you 'do'"
"'Gay-rights' destroys basic freedoms"

And one last more lengthy quote:

"Historically, anti-discrimination laws were written for specially protected classes--and nobody else. Caucasian males under forty aren't protected by those laws. Millionaries born that way aren't protected by those laws. These laws were made to protect disadvantaged, politically powerless people not because of how they behave or what kind of kinky desires they have. If you're not politically powerless, if there's no sign that you're actually oppressed, you don't have the privilege of claiming discrimination just because people don't like your behavior or desires.

Militant gays want to create a whole new category of anti-discrimination protections. now they want rich, 'horny', political power brokers to enjoy special protection from discrimination.

They're counting on Americans to not know what 'discrimination' really means. Show the gay extremists that you know--vote YES on Amendment 2."

As most of you know, I now live in a section of the country that has one of the highest percentages of homosexuals. And yet, eveyday I hear how someone does not think I am human, feeling, caring, deserving of love, or respect. Homophobia affects all of us. My own father, suffered from homophobia because his interests were considered "sissy". Children who don't conform to gender stereotypes are deemed not normal, and immediately labeled as homosexuals by other children before they even know what that means. (see Christopher Plummer, One of the Boys). Homophobia leads to my mother pointing out to me several times that other guys knit, so it should be okay for me too. And is this extremely mild homophobia discrimination?

What is discrimination anyway? Why do teenagers not come out for fear of being beaten to death? Why do teenagers who do come out so often have to be transferred to alternative schools to keep them safe? Why am I forbidden from marrying whom I love? Why do 25% of gay-identified youth in Northern Ireland report having attempted suicide at some point? Why have so many others like me been lobotomized, castrated, executed, exterminated, electro-shocked and tortured?

Some say that this isn't a question of civil rights and that it is a question of morality. That is wrong. As a mormon apostle once said at a devotional at BYU in which I attended, all politics is morality. I agree with this statement, and, therefore, civil rights are a question of morality. Can you say that it is morally right to deny people who love each other the right to marry? And why (I'd like to know)? Are those of you who are married believing that marriage equality (allowing consenting adults to marry whom they choose) would undermine your own marriage? And why?

When I went on a mission for the LDS church, I thought I was like a second class citizen. I had no idea. As a mormon, I could never have been fired from my job for my religion. And can someone change their religion? I know many people think they can. As a mormon, in the past I wouldn't have been barred from immigrating to the United States because of having a "psychotic personality". The list could go on.

Now I am a second class citizen. I know how this feels. I would ask those of you to consider how it would feel for you, or your loved ones, or your children if they felt the same way. I don't hesitate ask you to project this upon people because I do not view it as something shameful. I know who I am and as Walt Whitman would say, "I celebrate myself".

Many of you donate large amounts of your income to organization/s that heavily subsidize undermining my rights. If you truly do believe that a presumption that you are correct entitles you to relegate me to second class citizenship, that is your perogative, but know that I would not do the same. If you love me as I am, not who I was or who you thought I was, then please support this cause.

It is quick and easy. Just fill out the info, and click the button. That simple. You don't have to send anything on. If they send you an email later, just unsubscribe if you choose.

Here is the link:

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fma_postcards

Thanks for letting me share this little bit with you.

I hope that all is well.

Love,

Me

End of email

Additionally, Kelly Stern sent out a challenge to bloggers to post this picture as a symbol of pride during pride month. I am so fucking proud to be gay. I can't even tell you. Not the Instinct magazine, Lipgloss, Queer as Folk gay. Gay. As a person. Who I am. Who I love. So fucking proud.