This was a letter that I submitted to the Statesmen Examiner. Lets just see if they print it.
Dear Editor,
The word “family” has been being twisted and abused by conservative Christians to mean anti-gay. Conservatives in this country throw the word around without explanation as ammunition for anti-gay rights and the average citizen is buying it. Gay men and women in this country fail to see this connection. After all, gay people come from families. It is not like they are being grown illegally in the woods. The American Family Association is not an association for families, but rather, a church that is working toward banning human rights for gay individuals. Many special interest groups like this exist with no legal or scientific evidence and are disguising their purely faith-based ideals as “family values.”
The members of this community have forgotten something very important. This community is filled with various people of different ideas, backgrounds and lifestyles. I know that many of the business owners in Colville would love to believe that this county is only filled with Christian, Republican families. While this is mostly true, I happen to be a member of a homosexual family. My partner and I have been “married” for almost two years now and we are looking forward to many more.
I know that all of the conservatives in this country want to believe that discrimination is a “thing of the past” or that it is something that “so called minorities” are exaggerated. Well, I am here to tell you that discrimination is alive and well and is here in this cute little town. My partner and I have experienced countless incidences of blatant hatred from complete strangers on the street. We have also experienced discrimination from local businesses in Colville.
We strongly believe that my partner was turned down for a job last summer after he was hired simply because he is gay. The manager of this store was very excited to have him on board and hired him. On his first day of work and training, the owner of the store began questioning him about his living arrangements. He was let go because he “didn’t have enough references on his resume.” We were also practically asked to leave a local pool because I kissed him my partner on the cheek.
I do not care what race, religion or political party you are a part of. We are all Americans and have the same rights as everyone else. Of course, we gay Americans are looking for “special rights” since being able to be married is a special right reserved for straight people. It shouldn’t matter that we cannot get a break on our income tax or have any legal protection for our health and assets. It also shouldn’t matter that every psychological study ever done shows that gay people make just as good parents as do straight people.
It is about time that the members of this community ask themselves a question. How do you want to be remembered by history? Do you want to be remembered as being a free thinking individual that supports equality for all humans? Or do you want to be remembered like the segregationists of the 1960’s are remembered? All throughout American history we have had old white men standing on soap boxes preaching against freeing the slaves, allowing women to vote and well, granting equality for gay Americans.
This is America! Where every man is made equal! This country may have been founded on Christian ideals, but it was also founded on the ideals that the U.S. government should never legislate religious matters or hinder ones right to happiness. If your religion does not support homosexual relationships, that is your right as an American. But your faith should NOT legislate my rights as an American. I strongly urge the citizens and businesses of Colville to display their support for all human beings in this community. I dare you to be a part of the equality family.
2 comments:
I love that you are able to speak your words into writing in this fashion. I understand that what you go through everyday is truly a challenge. To walk down the street and be ridiculed and labeled every day is something that is unacceptable. I find it convenient for these small town, close minded individuals to never know what it is like to be on the receiving end of judgement. I say, "Leave it up to God to cast judgement." I also find it humorous that individuals who preach the Bible to its fullest are the ones who cast the most judgement. Doesn't the Bible say something about letting only God do that? Hmm. It's interesting to think about because it is truly arguable that these individuals who cast this judgement could be looked upon as blasphemers; allowing themselves to cast judgement in a way that only He can. May God show these people mercy in the way they never could. As an individual who is Christian, on his way to receiving his doctorate and educated in the ways of the Bible I truly pray for these people who cast judgement and hope that God will forgive them.
This country was built by a small group of people who had to flee a land of ridicule and hardship. They built this country with the idea of creating a 'New World' where people could live and believe what they wished without judgement. It is disgusting that now so many so-called-Americans do not uphold this tradition and have no worries about using religion to cast out those who are different. This country is free. It is only a matter of time before gays are accepted in this country.
To those of you who are closeminded: In the future you will be looked upon with disgust and embarrassment from those who will be more advanced; not only technologically, but spiritually and intellectually as well. Much the same as we look at our distant past and feel shame for our ancestors for being stupid and primitive you too will be looked upon this way. Our past is full of times where people are oppressed. It is shameful to be around individuals who know nothing of our past and do not realize that so many people who are oppressed do what is inevitable, they revolt. And much the same as any revolt, they conquer. Just as the freedom of slaves, the acceptance of women's rights, and many many others, homosexuality will prevail.
I admire your courage for standing up to those in Colville who are not accepting or fail to understand that you and your partner are good people. I am a gay man who graduated from Colville High School in 1990... I know all too well what it's like to experience discrimination in Colville (and I wasn't even out until I was 27). I also once wrote a letter about how unaccepting people in Colville can be... surprisingly, I received a response from people who agreed with me.
I think the best thing you can do is to keep doing what you're doing... and show people that you and your partner are good, honest people... and be proud to be out in Colville.
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