I Want to Know What it’s Like….

I Want To Know What It’s Like – YouTube.

 

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE

I want to know what it’s like…
To be normal. To be accepted. To be human. To be equal. To be free.

I want to know what it’s like…
To be open. To be heard. To be loved. To be happy. To be me.

I want to know what it’s like…
To feel like I belong.
To feel like I am strong.
That who I am isn’t wrong.
I want to know what it’s like…
To know that I am here.
That Iʼll make it through the year.
To know I wonʼt disappear.

I want to know what it’s like…
To not have to fight.
To see an end in sight.
To make what is wrong right.
I want to know what it’s like…
To be able to believe.
In a higher power that doesn’t see.
Me as sin or sodomy.

I want to know what it’s like…
To have liberty & justice for all
To break down this dividing wall
To remove homophobia from the law
I want to know what itʼs like…
To have a feeling that isn’t sad.
To have something that I’ve never had.
To have a child call me dad.

I want to know what it’s like…
To not feel like Iʼm a freak
To not feel like I am weak
To not be silenced when I speak
I want to know what it’s like…
To live beyond a closet door.
To see my father once more.
To show him I’m not who I was before.

I want to know what itʼs like…
To donate the blood from my vein
But because Iʼm gay I must refrain.
Why does my sexuality pertain?!
I want to know what itʼs like…
To not BE expelled from school
To not be made to look like a fool.
How is homosexuality breaking a rule?!

I want to know what it’s like…
To undo what’s been done to me.
To give sight to those who cannot see.
That I am no lesser of a human being.
I want to know what itʼs like…
To not be considered a disease.
To not have a majority I have to please.
To freely express my individualiTY.

I want to know what itʼs like…
To live in a land truly of the free.
Not a land that excludes me.
This is not how itʼs supposed to be!
I want to know what itʼs like…
To not be the target of bigotry
To not have you question my sanity
To not succumb to your superiority!

I want to know what it’s like…
To overcome all of my fears.
To uncry these countless tears.
That have been shed over the years.
I want to know what it’s like…
To learn about gay leaders of the past.
In my high school history class.
Can somebody please tell me what is so wrong with that?!

I want to know what it’s like…
To have pride.
To not have to hide.
To not have to lie my whole life.
To not have my sexuality be denied.
I want to know what it’s like…
To not have to feel this hurt inside.
To not think these thoughts in my mind.
To not contemplate suicide.

I want to know what it’s like…
To have this pain in me subside.
To heal this wound that bleeds inside.
To get back the tears that I’ve cried.
To take back the years that Iʼve tried.
To bring back the life that has died.
To unite this world’s divide.
To make change with stride.
To not stand below, but beside.

I want to know what it’s like…
To have this choice you say is mine.
To have science & religion intertwine.
To have love be redefined.
I want to know what it’s like…
To have a government that won’t instate
Unfair laws that provoke hate
For fear society will disintegrate

I want to know what itʼs like….
To live in a world without hate.
A world that does not discriminate.
A world in which I can feel safe.
Whether I am gay bi or straight.
This is the world we must create!!!
These are the decisions we must make.
These are the actions we must take.
The time is now we cannot, we must not, we will not wait.

I want to know what itʼs like…
To have equal opportunity.
To know the feeling of full equality.
To be one collective humanity.

I want to know what it’s like…
To be treated equally by my peers.
To stand alongside every queer…
On the edge of a new frontier.

A frontier that no one will dictate.
A frontier where there will be no debate.
A frontier in which everyone can relate.
A frontier made up of love and not hate.

I want to know what it’s like…
To open your eyes so you can see.
The way this world is supposed to be.
We arenʼt so different, you & me.

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Last Weeks SSM News Recap

Almost Too Many Equality Victories to Count! Feb 27 Marriage News Watch – YouTube.

Idaho Legislators: We Will NOT Protect LGBTQ Citizens from Discrimination

 

 

Post-it(r) notes are a sticky subject at the Idaho capital.  Members of a group called “Add the Words” was halted by state troopers while placing post-it notes on the glass state capital doors.  Their message?  Add the words “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Bill.  Since October Idahoans have been mailing and emailing messages asking lawmakers to give legislation protecting the   LGBTQIA population from discrimination a hearing and pass the legislation.

While efforts have been going on since October to have a Human Rights Bill be heard by the House State Affairs Committee legislators were stunned and shocked when the “Add the Words” campaign showed up on their marble door step.  In Idaho, the House State Affairs Committee refused to give the Human Rights Bill a hearing for the fifth year in a row.  Sounds like they’re taking a page out of the Utah LDS Legislator handbook.

[Cody Hafner]  invites the public to post their own sticky notes or if you can’t make it to Boise you can send your request to your lawmakers to amend the Human Rights Bill by submitting it to the Add The Words, Idaho website at www.addthewords.org.There will be an Add the Words, Idaho fundraising party this Thursday, January 12th, from 5:30-8:30 PM at the Beside Bardenay on the Basque Block in Downtown Boise. It will be hosted by more than 30 human rights leaders from across the state. Cost is a $10.00 to $100.00 donation at the door. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. If you can not attend, you can send a donation to: Add the Words PAC Box 2661 Boise, ID 83701.

via Idaho State Police Attempt to Halt Sticky Note Campaign « The Idaho Agenda.

Carry it Forward…. It Does Get Better

Inspiration from Bob Paris

Dorothy’s Delight: Angels are Everywhere

One Liner of the Day….from UTAH!

 

 

“It’s a good thing gays can’t reproduce…. otherwise there would be thousands of ‘straight’ mormon men running around Utah county in maternity outfits!”

Top 5 Reasons to Ban Gay Marriage- FCKH8.com‬‏

via YouTube – ‪FCKH8.com: Top 5 Reasons 2 Ban Gay Marriage (LOL) FCKH8.com‬‏.

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Pentagon Suspends DADT in Wake of Court Ruling

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

The Pentagon has ordered a halt to all separations of gay troops under “don’t ask, don’t tell” and will begin accepting applications from prospective recruits who identify themselves as homosexuals.

The moratorium issued Friday came after a ruling Wednesday by a federal appeals court in California ordering the Defense Department to immediately stop enforcing the law. The court said the law is unconstitutional because it treats gay Americans differently under the law.

Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law’s formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify” that it will not adversely impact military readiness.

via Pentagon suspends DADT in wake of court ruling – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Army Times.

 

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CA Bill Adding LGBT Figures to Textbooks Headed to Gov.

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

A first in America.  The California legislature has sent a bill to the Governor which would require text books to include LGBT people in textbooks.

A controversial bill that would add the historical contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans to public school textbooks in California is headed to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown after it was approved by the Assembly Tuesday.

Supporters say the bill would make California the only state in the nation to require inclusion of LGBT people in textbooks, though no state bans teaching on that topic.

After a long and intense debate, the bill, SB48, was approved on a nearly party-line vote by the Assembly with one Republican joining Democrats to vote in favor. The bill adds LGBT Americans, as well as people with disabilities, to an already existing list of groups that must be included in social science instruction.

via Assembly OKs bill to add LGBT figures to textbooks.

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Dead Gay Soldier’s Parents Fight MN Gay Marriage Ban

The parents of Andrew Wilfahrt, a dead gay soldier who died for his country are telling his story in the hopes it sways the heartless bigots in MN to pass marriage equality.

“This community needs are hetero’s who show up and say these are my people you’re discriminating against… their citizenship is every bit as valid as yours or mine”- Father of Andrew Wilfahrt

 

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YouTube: We Give A Damn

YouTube Sunday: We Give A Damn « Castro Street.

Delaware Set to Become 8th State to Grant Civil Unions

Though it may be the second smallest state in the Union and home to less than a million people, Delaware took a giant step towards equality this week when the House of Representatives voted 26-15 to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples. Having passed the state Senate last week and with the Governor’s pledge to sign the historic bill into law, Delaware is set to become the eighth state to grant civil unions. Read the Story.

via In case you missed it… « Castro Street.

Tell VA Gov. McDonnell: No More Excuses…Allow LGBT Adoption

via YouTube – Tell Gov. McDonnell: No More Excuses.

California Could Become First State To Teach Gay History

via YouTube – MSNBC – California Could Become First State To Teach Gay History.

Rugby Superstar and Straight Ally Ben Cohen to Launch ‘Acceptance Tour 2011′

Ben Cohen

Ben Cohen is launching his ‘Acceptance Tour 2011′ aimed at increasing awareness for LGBT human rights and youth bullying.  How is it The States gets asshole athletes like Kobe Bryant, and the UK gets a great man like Ben Cohen?  Come on America- Man up and be a Ben Cohen!

English rugby star Ben Cohen – a straight ally who is a staunch supporter of LGBT equality – condemned Bryant’s remarks.

“It is disappointing to see this.  As a professional athlete and rugby World Cup champion, I understand the heat and passion of competition at the highest levels.  But we must all remember that strong bodies must be balanced with strong characters, and work toward that end. Our positions as role models demand it.”

Cohen is coming to the US next month to launch his “Acceptance Tour 2011,” aimed at raising awareness around LGBT equality and, in particular, youth bullying.  HRC will be hosting an event for Ben during his stop in Washington DC.

Athletes looking to advocate for equality also can get involved through HRC’s Athletes for Equality program. The initiative allows athletes to fundraise for equality through participation in sporting events.

via Rugby Superstar and Straight Ally Ben Cohen Speaks Out Against Kobe Bryant’s Remarks « Human Rights Campaign | HRC Back Story.

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