Amendment One: Dear North Carolina

Dear North Carolina,

Hey! It’s me.

So… are you done with your little temper tantrum? I mean, I’d certainly hate to interrupt. What’s that? You’re through?

…Are you sure?

Okay, good! Because I have something I’d like to say.

You’re probably feeling mighty proud of yourself right now, North Carolina. What with banning same-sex marriage and all… again.You do realize that it was illegal in the first place, right?  Seriously, way to kick us while we’re down. You even took it a step farther and banned all civil unions!

Wow. I must say, I am at least impressed by your resolve. You’re even willing to throw straight people under the bus just to get to us!

So go ahead, North Carolina. Give yourself a pat on the back. A round of applause. Kudos. 

And be sure to enjoy it while you can.. because it may be the last time you ever get throw a hissy-fit like this again.

Because, whether you like it or not, the world around us is changing. Every single day, support is growing for gay marriage and for LGBT acceptance. And I think you know that - otherwise, why would you have bothered to even make such an amendment in the first place?

You’re being awfully silly, North Carolina. The only thing this amendment has done is establish how backwards you and the rest of the bigots in this country are.

But maybe I should credit you, because you’ve also done something else. You’ve ignited a base that doesn’t agree with your outdated way of thinking. And right now, as you read this letter, they are working to bring an end to toxic legislation like Amendment One.

You know, I may be a cynical, liberal, gay college student who is disenchanted with the system, but this little nugget of wisdom is something I have always held to be true: Love will win in the end.

So you might want to get on the ride side of history, North Carolina, before it’s too late. Because incidents like this… they end up in the history books, and history will not treat you kindly. 

But if you refuse, as I suspect you might, then you should know this.

You may have won the fight, but so long as hate is the only thing on your side, then you will lose the war.

Sincerely,

John Paul

Take A Stand Against The Ignorance In Lenoir City

Some community members in Lenoir City, Tennessee are asking for an investigation of high school yearbook adviser James Yoakley.

What is Mr. Yoakley’s crime? He allowed an article in the 2012 yearbook titled “It’s OKAY to be gay.”

The student-written article profiled Zac Mitchell, a gay student who discussed bullying and coming out and how his family donates to pro-gay causes and breast cancer research. I know. Heinous stuff, isn’t it?

After the article came out, an email started circulating amongst the ultra-religious members of the community. They had this to say:

“It is time to take a stand for our faith. We aren’t being called to risk our lives and go before a king like Nehemiah – but our walls are broken down and our gates are burning.”

Wow! Who would have known that a call for tolerance and acceptance would be taken as an act of war by these supposed “Christians?”

Van Shaver, a board member in a nearby district, even went so far as to say that Yoakley should be fired and arrested.

“Arrested for what?!” You may ask. Child sex abuse, of course.

Shaver said that if Yoakley had asked about the sexual orientation about any child, then that must make him a sex offender.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had just about enough of the ultra-religious right’s war on gay teens in this country. They’ve helped pass laws that make it easier for bullies to target LGBT students. They’ve claimed that gay rights are an affront to their religious freedoms. And now, after one brave high school student shared his story in the yearbook, they are trying to criminalize the yearbook adviser.

Enough is enough.

Now here’s what you can do to help stand with Mr. Yoakley and the article of acceptance he decided to publish.

Like the Facebook page - Take A Stand Against The Ignorance in Lenoir CIty

The people trying to get Mr. Yoakley fired also made a Facebook page called “Take A Stand Lenoir City,” and I encourage you to go there and RESPECTFULLY disagree with the way they are handling this incident.

These people are certainly not acting very Christ-like right about now.

LGBT students in high schools across our nation are under attack, and they need all the help and support we can give.

Keep fetuses (and everything else) out of food

We’ve all been there before. You’re chowing down at your favorite fast food restaurant, maybe Wendy’s or Burger King, and then the unsettling thought creeps into your head… is there fetus in this?

Yes, the question of whether or not there are human fetuses in our fast food has been making Oklahomans nervous for as long as this blogger can remember. But just when we thought it was time to accept the grim reality that we may or may not be consuming the unborn in our Big Macs, one man decided to stand up and end our statewide nightmare. That man is Senator Ralph Shortey.

The Oklahoma City Republican has proposed a bill that says: “No person or entity shall manufacture or knowingly sell food or any other product intended for human consumption which contains aborted human fetuses in the ingredients or which used aborted human fetuses in the research or development of any of the ingredients.”

Hear-Hear, Shortey!

Now, many people have called the bill ludicrous, unnecessary, stupid and even preposterous. But those people probably eat sand-burritos from Taco Bell. I ask you this, fellow citizen - do you really think a person who knowingly eats cat litter wrapped in a tortilla would care if they were eating human in their hamburgers? The answer, for this blogger, is no.

In fact, my only problem with the bill is that it doesn’t go far enough. Sure, there’s no real evidence that we are being fed fetuses with our fast food. But, you know what? There’s also no evidence that we are being fed puppies in our popcorn chicken. Where’s the ban on that?

There’s actually plenty of things I don’t want to find in my food: Kittens, the elderly, hypodermic needles, illegal immigrants, sharia law, ghosts, and the list goes on and on…

BAN THEM ALL, OKLAHOMA!

By preemptively banning gross stuff from our food, we can ensure that they will maybe never show up in our mystery meat. I say maybe because, well, you know, things just happen sometimes.

But I digest. We must stand behind Senator Ralph Shortey in his crusade against culinary horseplay. (side-note, ban horse meat) I mean, either that or just sit there and keep on eating your god-knows-what from lord-knows-where… but don’t come crying to me when you find children in your chili.

I Am Different

It’s interesting to me that being a “misfit” or an “outcast” has become trendy. You have shows out there like Glee which sing the praises of individualism and “being yourself,” even if it means not fitting in with the cool kids. Then there are hipsters, of course, who operate on the virtues of originality and nonconformity. Marching to the beat of your own drum has become something to aspire to - in the clothes you wear, the music you listen to, and the people you associate with. It all sends out one message: I’m different.

Now for someone like me who has never felt like they truly fit in, you would think that this would come as good news. Finally, an era where being yourself and being unique are good things! Er, that is what’s happening here, right?

Wrong. Statistics say bullying is at an all time high, and the Internet has only provided a new and exciting venue for bullies to exploit. The suicide rate amongst gay teens remains to be much higher than their heterosexual counterparts. Moving away from the high schools, anti-gay bullying in colleges continues to be a thing.

What gives?! Isn’t that Dr. Suess quote saying, “be who you are and do what you do” in like everyone’s favorite quote section on Facebook? Are college students not walking around wearing nonprescription glasses from Urban Outfitters and totally quirky vintage rags from the thrift store?Have people stopped reading “The Communist Manifesto”to look intellectual and maybe slightly dangerous? ZOOEY DESCHANEL?!

In a time where it’s “cute” to be maladjusted to societal norms, I must ask… why does it still suck to be maladjusted to societal norms? Why is it that every time I post something about gay rights on Facebook, some girl wearing hipster glasses in her Instagram default photo leaves a comment saying, “I don’t really agree with gay marriage. Sorry, I just don’t.”

How come whenever I talk about how Rick Santorum is a homophobe with a history of highly disturbing anti-gay statements I get backlash from a guy saying, “wow, you want people to tolerate your lifestyle but you can’t even tolerate Rick Santorum for his views?” only to find out that this guy is a “Gleek?”

How come sororities will kick girls out during rush if they suspect them of being “a dike” but will turn around and wear oversized men’s shirts because they think it’s cute? Mind you, these girls probably all have that Dr. Seuss quote on their Facebooks.

And why is it that when I open my mouth and advocate a boycott of a business that is proven to be anti-gay, I get told to stop being so whiny and to not complain so much by another gay man wearing women’s jeans?

Why is it that everyone wants to be different, but no one actually wants to change anything?!

And so, as I try to sit at the same table with these people who claim to be “totally unique” and “individuals,” I realize something. That in this strange culture where being a loner and being a misfit are supposed to be cool, I am a loner and a misfit. Except I’m not cool.

The truth is… people are still the same. They may be wearing nonprescription Raybans, but they’re the same. They might watch Glee on a daily basis, but they’re the same. They might have twenty quotes on their Facebook about being unique, they may describe themselves as “different,” they may have a thousand tattoos on their body, have piercings in strange places, and might act as quirky as they come… but they’re the same.

Because “different” is just another label you put on. It doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. “Misfit,” “outcast,” yeah right. Have you seen the misfits on Glee?! How many misfits do you know that look like Finn Hudson? (though more people looking like Finn Hudson would not suck)

I’m not saying it’s wrong to do any of these things… but I am saying this: don’t be fooled. We don’t live in an era where it’s okay to be different. We don’t live in a world where being “weird” or “quirky” or “eccentric” is encouraged. And we certainly do not live in a society where trying to change things is smiled upon.

And thus my rant is over. I am off to the thrift store to buy a grungy blazer while playing “Don’t Stop Believing” by the cast of Glee on my iPod.

Cheers!

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An Open Letter to Chick-Fil-A

To Chick-Fil-A, Truett Cathy, and the WinShape Foundation:

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you saying that I can no longer, in good conscience, patronize your establishment. Nor can I partake of your delicious, succulent, juicy chicken.

I mean, I would like to. Oh trust me, I would! But the beef (ha!) I have with you isn’t about your chicken. Your chicken is actually quite good. Your ongoing support of anti-gay organizations and hate groups, however, is what has left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I had deduced that your business was religious - meaning I noticed it was always closed on Sundays and I just sort of guessed. And that’s fine. I live in Oklahoma and I know plenty of Christian businesses who do the same thing. That much never bothered me.

I never really knew what Chick-Fil-A’s opinion of gays was, but I probably wouldn’t have cared. You are free to have whatever rampantly bigoted views you choose to hold, and I have the right to call them just that. If one of the Chick-Fil-A cows were a homophobe, I’d hope he’d have the common courtesy to at least keep that to himself and we would be fine.

But then you had to do it to me. You just had to push me away. You went and donated $2 million, money that customers like me helped you make, to anti-gay organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute. These are people who have said that striking down Prop 8 was a direct hit to human civilization. They’ve said same-sex marriage threatens children, hurts families, and punishes society by caving in to a radical sexual revolution.

I’ve checked your tab, and apparently that’s not the only anti-gay organization you support:

• Marriage & Family Legacy Fund: $994,199
• Focus On The Family: $12,500
• Exodus International: $1,000

Oh, that Exodus International one is a low blow, Chick-Fil-A, because that group’s entire purpose is to eliminate and “cure” homosexuality like it’s a mental disorder.

And then you sent out a message saying you’re not anti-gay and that you respect LGBT people. But then, well, this:

http://news.change.org/stories/yes-chick-fil-a-says-we-explicitly-do-not-like-same-sex-couples

That’s an odd definition of respect. And you’re absolutely sure you’re not anti-gay?

Come on, just admit you don’t like me. It’s pretty obvious. You’ve given money to organizations who are actively trying to make sure I don’t get to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. You have helped fund hate groups who, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, are listed right alongside the KKK.

So I think you’ve made it pretty clear how you feel. Now here’s how I feel.

I refuse to spend my money at a business that supports hate, and I encourage others to do the same.

Maybe you think a small number of people boycotting won’t make much of a difference. And, you know, that may be true.

But when I think that even so much as a penny, a single freaking penny of my money went to Exodus International and helped fund their sick, perverse practices of “curing” gay people, it breaks my heart.

It makes me physically ill to think that a single cent of the money I paid to eat your chicken goes to a hate group who clearly disagrees with my very existence. And when I think, even for a second, that I have in any way helped a group who is trying to undermine my civil rights… well, it makes me want to puke.

And suddenly, I’m not so hungry anymore. No matter how tasty the chicken might be.

But hey, if you meant what you said about not being anti-gay, and if you’re half as Christian as you claim to be, then I’ve got a proposition for you.

Homelessness among LGBT youths is rampant, and charities and churches all over America are struggling to provide them with food, shelter, and a positive environment. Even if you think their sexual orientation is a choice, they are still human beings - and they are suffering.

Here’s one organization that could sure use some help:
http://www.aliforneycenter.org/

And even if you don’t feel like giving a monetary donation… I bet those homeless teens could really go for some free chicken.

Just a thought.

I certainly hope that you have read all of this and heard me out. I also hope that, one day, I may again enjoy one of your chicken sandwiches with extra pickles and waffle fries. It was my favorite!

Until Chick-Fil-A stops supporting these hate groups, however, my morals will simply not allow it.

Sign the petition!
http://www.change.org/petitions/support-lgbt-rights-and-tell-chick-fil-a-hate-is-not-okay