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.

Related articles

• And Equality For All (silverthoughts2.wordpress.com)
• On Being Gay: Fighting the False “Hate” Dichotomy (thecollegeconservative.com)

WE DO Campaign in Greenville, SC

As an Ex-Greenville Citizen, this one hits especially close to home…  As oppressive as Utah can be (and is) South Carolina is suppressive… Of course, that is unless you’re affluent… Then you’re just eccentric!

I’m glad to see South Carolinians fight for their rights for first class citizenry.  Keep up the great work and your efforts MATTER!

WE DO Campaign – South Carolina – YouTube.

 

Last Weeks SSM News Recap

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

Black History Month: Celebrating Notable LGBT African Americans and their Struggle for Equality

Image via Wikipedia

Although February has been marked by LGBT marriage victories in California and Washington, lets not forget and more Importantly take time to recognize the LGBT African-Americans who have fought and struggled for Equal Rights and Human rights not just because of their sexuality, but because of their ethnic background.  They have in so many ways paved the way and blazed the trail which we follow today.  Take time out to respect those who put their lives on the line so that we have the right to fight our battles in court, protest on the street, and lobby for change.  Harvey Milk exhorted LGBT’s to follow the path of the African-American Civil Rights leaders of the 50′s and 60′s…

Harvey Milk once said “The blacks did not win their rights by sitting quietly in the back of the bus. They got off! Gay people, we will not win our rights by staying quietly in our closets… We are coming out! We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions! We are coming out to tell the truth about gays!”

FAMOUS AND NOTABLE LGBT AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE

Alice Walker: author, poet, and advocate

Alvin Ailey: choreographer and advocate

André Leon Talley: editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, current contributing editor

Angela Davis: political advocate, scholar, and author

Audre Lorde: author and advocate

Bayard Rustin: chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, advisor to Martin Luther King Jr.

Bessie Smith: blues singer

Bill T. Jones: artistic director, choreographer and dancer

Countee Cullen: poet

Darryl Stevens: actor

Don Lemon: reporter for CNN and news anchor

Doug Spearman: actor

E. Denise Simmons: mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the 2008-2009 term, first openly lesbian African American mayor in the United States

E. Lyn Harris: author

Emil Wilbekin: former openly gay Editor-in-Chief of Vibe Magazine, current managing editor of Essence.com

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson: actress

Glen Burke: Major League Baseball player

Isis King: America’s Next Top Model contestant

James Baldwin: author

Jasika Nicole: actress

Jean-Michel Basquiat: artist

John Amaechi: former NBA player

Josephine Baker: dancer, singer, and actress

June Jordan: author

Kevin Aviance: female impressionist and entertainer

LZ Granderson: ESPN.com columnist

Langston Hughes: poet and social advocate

Laverne Cox: actress, producer and transgender advocate

Lee Daniels: film producer and director

Linda Villaros: author, journalist and public speaker

Ma Rainey: blues singer

Maurice Jamal: filmmaker and director

Meshell Ndegeocello: singer

Paris Barclay: television director and producer

Patrik-Ian Polk: director, producer, screenwriter, singer and actor

Roy Simmons: former NFL player

RuPaul: actor, drag queen and singer-songwriter

Sheryl Swoopes: WNBA player

Stacy Ann Chin: author and poet

Tracy Chapman: singer

Wanda Sykes: actress and comedian

via Black History Month Resource Kit | GLAAD.

Related articles

• Seven LGBT African-Americans Who Changed The Face Of The Gay Community (queerty.com)
• Don Lemon: Being black and gay is ‘about the worst thing you can be in black culture’ (thegrio.com)
• Is the Black-LGBT Divide Exaggerated? (theroot.com)
• Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing (oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com)

Hate Group Watch: GOProud

A recent article in the Gay Patriot stooped to a new low recently. Rather than take an opportunity to unite liberal and gay conservatives in the fight for first class citizenry and equal human rights, the article did nothing more than attempt to drive a wedge in the LGBT movement. An effort the religious right funded Republican Party couldn’t have done better themselves. NOM would be so proud of their baby GOProud organization…

All gay and lesbian conservatives seem to have one experience in common, that of facing the hostile prejudice of our liberal peers. Some but fortunately not all of our ideological adversaries ever so quick to deem any opposition to their agenda as “hateful” seem to harbor themselves a lot of hatred toward individuals who do not share their [view]

…

As GOProud Board Member Lisa De Pasquale detailed the other day in the Daily Caller:Dan Savage, the “It Gets Better” project’s co-founder, has been just as vicious toward gay conservatives as schoolyard bullies have been toward their gay classmates.

Lisa De Pasquale lashed out at Savage because

Savage referred to the members of GOProud, an organization of gay conservatives, as “gay Quislings and useful idiots.” He said they were just “window dressing” for bigoted Republicans. Like a schoolyard bully….

via GayPatriot » Why Do They Hate?.

Just because your feelings were hurt by Dan Savage’s “Window Dressing” comment, doesn’t mean you should stoop to a level comparing LGBT liberals to school yard bullies who have literally taunted LGBT youth to death…

Shame on YOU! And thanks for validating Dan’s point!

The Case for Heterosexual Marriage

Hat tip: Gay Marriage USS

Human Rights Day 2012: Where do we go from here?

“I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people. … But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”

~Coretta Scott King

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Human Rights Day 2012: Where do we go from here?.

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

Dear Rick Perry- LGBT won’t Stand for your Hatred and Bigoted Campaign…oh, and You Really are A Sad Individual

Gay and Homeless…Christmas isn’t always Merry for Everyone

There are over 1.7 million homeless youth in America.  Nationally, an average of 6% identify themselves as LGBT and 25% or more trade sex for food.  Below is a story following two LGBT youths, who cling to each other for protection, comfort, support and the need to be loved.  They sell sex for food, alcohol and drugs to escape reality.   Its a tragically all to common story occuring in many towns and cities across America.  It’s up to US to make a difference, to put your money where your mouth is and do something.   Donate time, money or resources.  Help a throwaway kid in need… Not because it’s Christmas, but because it’s the right thing to do, any time of year.

Every year, hundreds of gay youths end up on the streets of L.A. County, where they make up a disproportionate share of the people under 25 who are homeless. ‘They haven’t been on the streets for years and years,’ an advocate says, ‘so they don’t look bad.’

AJ, 23, and his boyfriend, Alex, 21, hide their blankets and duffel bags in bushes. They shower every morning at a drop-in center and pick out outfits from a closet full of used yet youthful attire.

“If I could be invisible, I would,” AJ said. “I feel ashamed to admit that I’m homeless.”

Every year, hundreds of gay youths end up alone on the streets of Los Angeles County, where they make up a disproportionate share of the at least 4,200 people under 25 who are homeless on any given day.

A recent study found that 40% of the homeless youths in Hollywood, a gathering spot for these young people, identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or unsure of their sexual orientation. Five percent say they are transgender.

But it is a largely hidden population, said Simon Costello, who manages the drop-in center frequented by AJ and Alex.

via Gay and homeless: Gay youths living on Hollywood’s streets – latimes.com.

In our Great Steate of Utah, , Volunteers of America surveyed 131 Utah youth in 2008 and 2009. Here are some of the facts:

• 11 percent of youth said they were younger than 18
• 42 percent of youth said they were not heterosexual.
• 49 percent of youth said they had quit school before 12th grade.
• 28 percent of youth said they tried to commit suicide three times or more.

via  http://www.affirmation.org/homelessness/

Related articles

• Homeless for the Holidays (newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com)
• Interagency Homelessness Council Commits To Addressing Needs Of LGBT Youth (thinkprogress.org)
• Huge Percentage of Homeless Youths Identify as LGBT (onebluestocking.wordpress.com)
• A New Place for Queer Homeless Youth in Atlanta (bilerico.com)
• Watch now | ‘A Day in Our Shoes,’ an ‘In the Life’ online video about homeless LGBT youth (miamiherald.typepad.com)

We Can Quote the Bible Too!

We’re in Our 60′s…Can you Tell Us the Steps to Become Equal Citizens…Before We Die?

Southern Equalities "We Do" Campaign

Southern Equality launched The WE DO Campaign in Asheville, NC from October 3rd through the 14th.  Same-Sex couples requested marriage licenses daily throughout the campaign to raise awareness and call for full equality under North Carolina law for LGBT people.

Raising awareness in North Carolina is critical when this state is considering a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.  The group isn’t stopping with rights in North Carolina though.  They’re calling on the federal government to extend equal rights to all citizens in every state.  These acts are inspirational.  These acts are courageous.  These acts should be viral across our country!

Posted below is a heartbreaking video of committed loving couples asking and being rejected the right to marry.  Especially powerful for me were two women who upon rejection of their license asked:

“We’ve been together for 25 years… We’re in our mid 60′s.  Can you tell us what steps we might take to become full and equal citizens under the law… before we die?

via WE DO Campaign « Campaign for Southern Equality.

Related articles

• 18 Gay and Lesbian Couples Rejected for Marriage Licenses in North Carolina: VIDEO (towleroad.com)
• WATCH: The Best Marriage (In)Equality Ad Ever? (queerty.com)
• Campaign For Southern Equality Video Touched Our Hearts (perezhilton.com)
• Lesbian Couple of 30 Years Arrested in North Carolina After Being Denied Marriage License: VIDEO (towleroad.com)

Millions expected to dress in purple, in person and online, for Spirit Day

 

 

 

Millions of people will dress in purple on Thursday — both in person and online — to mark the second annual Spirit Day, a day demonstrate support for LGBT youth and to speak out against bullying.

Spirit Day was first occurred in October 2010 following the deaths of numerous young LGBTQ people, who committed suicide after enduring years of anti-gay bullying. In response Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan campaigned on social media websites, encouraging people to wear purple on Oct. 20 to demonstrate support for LGBT young people who are victims of bullying.

The color purple was chosen because it symbolizes “spirit” on the Rainbow Flag.

via Millions expected to dress in purple, in person and online, for Spirit Day – LGBTQ Nation.

Related articles

• Wear Purple to Support LGBT & Bullying on Spirit Day (997now.radio.com)
• Celebs And Corporations Are Waving Their Spirit Fingers For #SpiritDay! (perezhilton.com)
• Why Did GLAAD Pick Purple As The Color To Wear For Spirit Day? (queerty.com)
• Why Facebook, Yahoo & others are celebrating LGBT Spirit Day (venturebeat.com)
• Is Facebook ‘Going Gay’ or Honoring Spirit Day? (bilerico.com)
• Are You ‘Going Purple’ Against Bullying for Spirit Day on Thursday? (pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com)

Coming Out at the Office: ABC’s Dan Kloeffler

 

 

Dan Kloeffler, a journalist for ABC News came out of the closet yesterday.  Although he’s been out to friends, family and co-workers for years, he’s never come out publicly at work.  Inspired by Zachary Quinto‘s reason for coming out- to inspire and be a positive role model for LGBT youth, Kloeffler a nationally recognized journalist followed quickly in his footsteps (Quinto’s cute ass had nothing to do with it…really!)

Kind of a big moment for me while filling in on World News Now, which is by far the most fun you can legally have at 3:00 in the morning! Yunji de Nies and I were talking about celebrity headlines, when I read the story about Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in “Star Trek,” coming out as gay in a magazine interview. Because WNN is a show where you can offer some personality, I had a little fun with the story saying that I would drop my rule against dating actors.

I’ve never shared that I’m gay on-air, even though I’ve been out to my family, friends and co-workers for years. In fact, an old boyfriend – now best friend – has always given me a hard time about not doing so. But for the same reason that Zach decided to come out, I too, no longer wanted to hide this part of my life.

There have been too many tragic endings and too many cases of bullying because of intolerance. As a kid I wanted someone to look up to, someone that could relate to the feelings I was having. Most of all, I wanted to know that it would get better.

And it did.

As a journalist, I don’t want to be the story, but as a gay man I don’t want to stand silent if I can offer some inspiration or encouragement to kids that might be struggling with who they are.

via To Boldly Go… – ABC News.

I applaud Kloeffler and Quinto’s decision.  It’s never to late to step up, step out and do the right thing!

I’ve gotten on my soapbox before about coming out at work and I’m going to say it again!

People who hide who they are in the workplace should be ashamed of themselves!  Putting the risk of losing their jobs or worrying about how they’ll be perceived above their self esteem, above who they are and what they SHOULD stand for is appalling.  As adult LGBT people it’s our responsibility to speak through our actions!

How can you be a model for younger people that it’s OK to be LGBT, to be who you are, that IT GETS BETTER and that you should fight to be first class citizens if you can’t even tell your employer.

How can you sit back and let others do the work of advancing our rights while hiding in the closet.  If you want to one day be able to marry your partner in any state, to have equal employment and housing opportunities and equal civil rights it’s up to EVERY individual LGBT citizen to pick up that torch and carry it, regardless of the personal burden you endure.  We will NEVER gain equality if we hide in the closet and hope that someone ELSE works in our best interests.

It’s time people take responsibility and stand up, stand proud and stand out!  Stop hiding among your straight peers, within your families and among your coworkers.

Being a part of a silent majority of LGBT is no longer acceptable.  Use your voice, your words, your economic power and take ACTION!

• Don’t shop at businesses who further the anti-gay discriminatory agenda
• Vote against politicians who continue to stifle equality legislation- LGBT Rights are Human Rights!
• Attend rallies & protests to further the LGBT community causes-Speak Out!
• Come OUT to your family, your friends, your coworkers and your employers.  Visibility is political power!
• Volunteer and donate locally!

Take personal action for those who fought and died for who they were, do it for those children who took their own lives because of bullying or being ashamed of who they are.  Take action for future generations so that they will not endure what we’ve endured. Take action for yourself… be a better person, server a higher human cause!

“Our invisibility is the essence of our oppression. And until we eliminate that invisibility, people are going to be able to perpetuate the lies and myths about gay people.” – Jean O’Leary

Related articles

• Zach Quinto, Teen Suicide Inspires ABC Newsman Dan Kloeffler To Come Out (queerty.com)
• ABC Anchor Dan Kloeffler Comes Out (pinkbananaworld.com)
• WATCH: Inspired By Zachary Quinto, ABC News Anchor Comes Out On Air (huffingtonpost.com)
• ABC Anchor Announces He’s Gay While Covering A Story (inquisitr.com)