Baptists

Long time, huh?

So, I recently went on a trip with my girlfriend's church youth group. I guess you can call it my church too, I tend to go there and participate in events fairly often. We drove to Mississippi, a nice short 2 day drive through, and to the south, to help rebuild after Katrina.

For most of the trip we were pretty much cut off from the rest of the world. There were no TVs, no computers, and hardly if any cell phone service. When we did have service we found out that while we were away five celebrities had died, Michael Jackson, Farrah Faucet, Billy Mays, Gary Papa, and some other guy who's name I can't recall at the current moment.

Anyways, the title of this post is Baptists, and for a reason.

Ever see the Documentary entitled, Jesus Camp?

You know, that documentary about aggressive christians making their army of kids to fight... well anything they don't like? I have. And, well, on this trip we went on, we visited a Southern Baptist Church, one just like in the Documentary.

I realized this as soon as they paraded the American, and Christian flags through their church, and after began pledging to each of the flags and the bible.

I refused to say them, out of respect I stood, since we were guests in their church and all.

The three of us that are gay, and our allies, felt very uncomfortable in this church. Speaking with them you could tell their education levels, and their willingness to accept diversity. Both, expectantly, were on the low side.

I knew going into this trip being gay and in the south wasn't going to be easy, and would be something we three would have to hide, for safety, and for the sake of our fellow travelers.

We were preached to, and what most of us got out of it was that, "If god wants you to slow down and listen to him, he might cut off your leg so that you will"---see what I mean?

Pray for me Sarah

and we cannot marry

we pay taxes 

and we cannot marry 

we face prejudice 

and we cannot marry 

we work where we can be fired

and we cannot marry 

we put ourselves out there 

and we cannot marry 

we suffer the same as others, and more

and we cannot marry 

we are no different

we love and we hate

and we cannot marry 

McPain

What if he wins?

What will happen to us?

Should we leave?

We won't be welcome anymore

TO CANADA IT WILL BE 

Where we can marry but not divorce..... but we can marry!!!!!

WHAT BRINGS FEAR

Halloween may be over 

But the fear remains

The nation will soon decide 

The next leader in vain.

Depending on who 

many will live in pain 

and others will be somewhat conflicted 

whom do we put our trust in, who?

I know who I want

I know who we need 

But the rest of them 

Just seem so blunt

They are angry

They call me names 

And they don't know me 

Why such hate on me?

Why so much hate?

Why so much rage?

What pain did I inflict on you, 

For you to wish this on me?

On Tuesday we will choose

Who will once again bring us to ruin

It's just a matter of how and why

And if we decide to fly.

I know that it has been awhile, but I'm writing now aren't I?

With only 6 days left till the election, like many i know, i am worried that McCain will take power, leaving us powerless, not only for four more years, but what if what he ends up doing in office isn't correctable?

Who else thinks its time to move to Canada? 

Gay Ten Commandments BY SIMON DOONAN

1. Don't let your happiness be contingent on anyone else's
approval or disapproval.

tell any detractors where they can shove their negativity.

And if that doesn't work, move to a bigger town.

2. Be as nelly or as butch as you want to be.
Whether it's a
teacup pohauhua or a Bakelite butt plug, let your accessories express who you
are.

REMEMBER: We are a RAINBOW.

3. Get a job. Get two jobs.

There's nothing noble or fabulous about being broke,

and there's nothing more alienating and disempowering

than having no disposable income.

4. Avoid becoming a substance abusing lunatic:

Spend your money on Jet-Skis and fab vacations and spiffy new
clothes.

5. It's totally okay not to be an expert on politics and
international policy.

There are too many people today-especially movie celebs-

pretending they know what they're talking about.

If you have a question about current affairs, consult an expert.

6. Don't become a slave to the gym unless you really, really,
really enjoyit.

Life is too short. Some kind of exercise is important. Better to
take tango lessons.

Skipping is also great exersice.

(Not recomended if you don't really have a partner.)

7. When you meet somebody great, tear off your brassiere
(metephorically)

and scream from the nearest mountaintop.

Don't be coy. Don't strategize. Don't play hide and seek:
surrender!

8. Don't be a victim-y gay.

For example, stop complaining about how, when you were growing
up, you never saw yourself on TV because there were no decent role models.
Always look at things in a positive way: Be glad that you are part of a small
special group that was largely ignored by the cheesy sitcoms and that you got to
spend your entire childhood watching hets make idiots out of themselves in front
of a TV audience.

9. Say yes to all invitations.

10. It might take years to get the mariage thingy approved.

In the meantime remember that you, as a fabulous person of
queerness,

are still ahead of the game.

You are one of the chosen people.

Unlike a straight person, you are free, free to stay down on the
farm or free

to move to the big city and spread your wings, free to
self-invent,

free to wear marabou.

do you know?

do you know what its like to have someone tell you repeatedly that god hates you... that your creator, the one that made you hates you because of how he made you...

do you know what its like to have someone tell you that the way you are is wrong and that you should be another way... wheather or not that's how you feel...

do you know what its like to be in constant fear of loosing your job... the only thing that keeps you afloat...

some of you may...but a lot of you dont, so before you tell someone that being gay is a choice that they made... and that the thing that made them like that hates them...think about what you are doing... it may not hurt you, but it hurts us...
i know a lot of times we have to ignore the protests, the slurs, the hatered, the violence, i just hope that one day we wont have to endure it any more... we still have a long road ahead of us, we cant give up yet...

Because I am afraid of you...
I don't put obvioulsy gay stickers on my car
my girlfriend won't kiss me in certain public places, or hold my hand
i keep my mouth shut when people make fun of gays
Because I cant afford to get kicked out of school, no one there can know
Because I am not ready to die....(use your imagination)

I sturggle

I DID NOT CHOOSE TO BE GAY
TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE HOMOPHOBIC, AND GAY BASHERS OR HATERS, THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE, YOUR BOOK AGAINST ME TELLS ME:
"O LORD, HOW MANY ARE MY FOES!
HOW MANY RISE UP AGAINST ME!
MANY ARE SAYING OF ME,
'GOD WILL NOT DELIVER ME'
BUT YOU ARE A SHEILD AROUND ME, O LORD;
YOU BESTOW GLORY ON ME AND LIFT UP MY HEAD
TO THE LORD I CRY ALOUD,
AND HE ANSWERS ME FROM HIS HOLY HILL.

I LIE DOWN AND SLEEP;
I WAKE AGAIN, BECAUSE THE LORD SUSTAINS ME.
I WILL NOT FEAR THE TENS OF THOUSANDS
DRAWN UP AGAINST ME ON EVERY SIDE.
ARISE, O LORD!
DELIVER ME, O GOD!
STRIKE ALL MY ENEMIES ON THE JAW;
BREAK THE TEETH OF THE WICKED.
FROM THE LORD COMES DELIVERANCE.
MAY YOUR BLESSING BE ON YOUR PEOPLE." -----PSALM 3

"HOW LONG, O LORD? WILL YOU FORGET ME FOREVER?
HOW LONG WILL YOU HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME?
HOW LONG MUST I WRESTLE WITH MY THOUGHTS
AND EVERYDAY HAVE SORROW IN MY HEART?
HOW LONG WILL MY ENEMY TRIUMPH OVER ME?
LOOK ON ME AND ANSWER, O LORD MY GOD.
GIVE LIGHT TO MY EYES OR I WILL SLEEP IN DEATH;
MY ENEMY WILL SAY, "I HAVE OVERCOME HIM,"
AND MY FOES WILL REJOICE WHEN I FALL.
BUT I TRUST IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE;
MY HEART REJOICES IN YOUR SALVATION." -------PALSM 13

And of course the best for last,
"MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM SAVING ME,
SO FAR FROM THE WORDS OF MY GROANING?
O MY GOD, I CRY OUT BY DAY, BUT YOU DO NOT ANSWER,
BY NIGHT, AND AM NOT SILENT.
YET YOU ARE ENTHRONED AS THE HOLY ONE;
YOU ARE THE PRAISE OF ISRAEL.
IN YOU OUR FATHERS PUT THEIR TRUST;
THEY TRUSTE AND YOU DELIVERED THEM.
THEY CRIED TO YOU AND WERE SAVED;
IN YOU THEY TRUSTED AND WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED.
BUT I AM A WORM AND NOT A MAN,
SCORNED BY MEN AND DESPISED BY THE PEOPLE.
ALL WHO SEE ME MOCK ME;
THEY HURL INSULTS, SHAKING THEIR HEADS." -----PSALMS 20

With all of these verses, you would think that even though these people were struggling with different things that fundamentalists and anti-gays would look to understand but they do not. Are you still wondering why "Jesus wept?"
He was weaping over the city of Jerusalem in disappointment, and cried when he prayed for those in need.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -----Mathew 5:3-10

Now, I am not trying to go all God on you all who read me, which I'm sure is very few, but, these words and phrases can help us in our fight for equality, and acceptance, the only things that we really want.

We are an old story, that we need to finish with a happy ending

FROM: http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Castro/3242/writings/inequality.html

Throughout history, prejudice and discrimination have been repeatedly directed at a wide variety of groups. Although sexism, racism, ageism, and religious persecution are still very prevalent in our society, many significant steps have been taken and implemented to both legally and socially provoke a greater degree of social acceptance toward such groups. However, one group still endures a noticeable, disturbing, and unresolved stigma of social non-acceptance, not only in the United States, but worldwide: non-heterosexuals.
"Orientationism" is prejudice or discrimination based on intolerance of a person’s natural sexual orientation. Currently, many Americans display a common attitude that it is "sinful," "wrong," or "immoral" for a person to be homosexual or bisexual. Not only are couples of the same sex denied the legal right to marry, but are deprived of joint insurance and health coverage, hospital visitation rights, inheritance, and federal protection based on sexual orientation. Legally, individuals can be fired by employers or discharged from the military merely due to the fact that they are gay or bisexual. Non-heterosexuals are often the victims of threats, verbal abuse, physical assault, and even murder, simply because other people have a personal problem with homosexuality or bisexuality. The recent brutal homicide of Matthew Shepard, an openly-gay Wyoming college student, serves as a severe reminder of this problem.
There are many reasons why orientationism strongly rages throughout our society. One catalyst is the common assumption that homosexuality or bisexuality is a "lifestyle choice." This is an unfair assessment for orientationists to make. Any homosexual or bisexual person will tell you they did not "choose" their sexuality, and cannot control the sexual urges and instincts that they experience. Homosexual behavior has also been scientifically observed within the animal kingdom. The accusation that homosexuality and bisexuality are "unnatural" is unfounded when the accuser cannot claim to have lived the actual life of a non-heterosexual person. Therefore, it stands to reason that homosexuality and bisexuality are as biologically natural as heterosexuality.
For this reason, we must not confuse the true purpose of the homosexual "agenda." Orientationists will assert that homosexual activists are seeking out "special rights." On the contrary, non-heterosexuals simply desire the same equality that is currently presented to heterosexuals - - such as protection of civil rights and legal equity in marriage. The conclusion that homosexuals and bisexuals "decide" to reject heterosexuality is simply trite. There is a major difference between voluntarily identifying with the gay stereotype projected by the media, and realizing that one’s hormones cause a natural sexual attraction to other members of one’s same gender.
Another entity which triggers orientationism is the failure of some religious leaders and followers to recognize the logic behind the separation of church and state. This constitutional principle was established so that citizens’ rights would not be violated due to the guidelines and standards of certain religions. Yet, several religions have actively contributed to the existent oppression of homosexuals and bisexuals. Many Christian fundamentalists turn to the Bible for sexual guidance, and consequently misinterpret some Bible phrases to deem that homosexuality is a "sin." However, we have no way of knowing for certain how much, if any, of the Bible was altered during its thousands of years of manual transcription. For this reason, biblical passages cannot be relied upon for scientific accuracy.
Giving biblical references the benefit of the doubt, perhaps hypothetically Paul and Moses did indeed state anti-gay rhetoric in their contributions to the Bible’s composition. But just because those may have been the personal beliefs of Paul and Moses does not mean such condemnation was shared by Jesus Christ and the Christian God. Additionally, the passages in the Bible allegedly declaring homosexuality as an abomination could have been intended exclusively to refer to the specific issue of incest. In the Old Testament it is written that it is wrong for a man to lie with another man. But the Old Testament also states that if a man wants to marry a woman all he has to do is rape her, pay her father 50 dollars, and she’s his wife. So why accept one as true but not the other? At any rate, I don’t see how orientationism is very open-minded or worldly for Christians. I thought Christianity was supposed to be about love and acceptance, and celebrating who we are as human beings?
Finally, there is a "heterosexual ideal" in our society which prevents full and humane acceptance of homosexuality and bisexuality. Parents, either intentionally or unintentionally, will "groom" or "train" their children to lead a heterosexual lifestyle as adults. When non-heterosexual children are raised with the expectation that they must be heterosexual in our society, it only hurts those children in the long run. Teens who realize they are gay or bisexual may stress themselves with emotions of shame and self-hatred, or they may be driven to ponder, attempt, or even succeed at suicide.
This type of orientationist upbringing can also negatively affect heterosexual children. If children are raised with the concept that it is "wrong" to be gay/bi, anti-gay sentiment is instilled in them by parents and they consequently direct it toward peers at school and later on in life. In schools, when students who have been brought up with anti-gay "values" discover or merely even suspect their peers might be gay, they will display open hostility and disdain leading to verbal abuse, shunning, assault, or in extreme cases, murder. Heterosexual students who bear non-traditional gender characteristics (effeminacy and feminity in boys, masculinity in girls) may also fall victim to orientationist harassment from peers. A social myth exists that homosexuals and bisexuals try to "convert" heterosexuals to non-heterosexual lifestyles. But for the most part, this is a delusion. The vast majority of non-heterosexuals simply wish to live their lives with the exact same civil rights as heterosexuals.
If I had the omnipotent power to make societal changes to remedy this problem, I would do a couple of things. First, I would make same-sex marriages legal and constitutionally binding in all 50 states of America. Same-sex marriages would include all of the same entities contained in opposite-sex marriages, such as joint insurance and health coverage, company benefits equitable to those of opposite-sex marriages, and inheritance protection. In addition, divorce proceedings for same-sex couples would be subject to proportional guidelines as for opposite-sex couples. To be specific, I would change the definition of marriage to allow for, "the legal joining or union in wedlock of any two individuals regardless of gender."
Secondly, I would add "sexual orientation" as a non-discrimination component by amending the constitution. This would place sexuality on the same plane as race, gender, creed or religion, disability, age, and national origin. Sexual orientation is a genuine, intrinsic trait of human beings, and discrimination based on sexuality cannot be tolerated in order to maintain a truly equal society. Although sexism and racism possess different details from orientationism, the EXACT SAME CONCEPT is still being applied within each of these prejudicial forms - - discrimination against people based on biological traits that we are unable to control.
The purpose behind legalizing same-sex marriages is to send the message to today’s society as well as future generations that there is nothing wrong with being a different sexual orientation from someone else, as long as you do not violate the safety, liberty, and rights of others. As generations pass, society may gradually gain a healthier, more rational view of homosexuality through the achieved normalcy of same-sex marriages. Hopefully, social persecution of gays and bisexuals will begin to decline, similarly to the civil rights and acceptance which women, blacks, and other groups have historically gained.
"Domestic partnership" benefits implemented nationally would be progress for homosexuals and bisexuals, but not full, true legal equality. Although granting "domestic partnerships" to same-sex couples might be a step in the right direction toward full equality, orientationists would inevitably charge the gay community with demanding and receiving "special rights." So even with "domestic partnership" allowances, homosexuals and bisexuals would still essentially be "second-class citizens" as "domestic partnerships" are legally unequal to marriage. On the other hand, if same-sex couples could only be offered that obligatory formality of a legal marriage certificate, the argument of gays attaining "special rights" would ultimately for all legal purposes become a non-issue. Therefore, "domestic partner" benefits could be eliminated completely, thus eliminating "special rights."
Furthermore, such restrictive measures, for example, the Knight Initiative (http://www.noonknight.org) to be voted on (March 7, 2000) in California, are still specifically targeting the gay/bisexual communities. People need to realize that marriage is not solely about producing children. It is about love . . . or at least, it should be. And homosexual love is just as sincere and genuine as heterosexual love. I am not proposing that heterosexuality be abolished, degraded, or condemned in any way. Simply put, the same rights that heterosexual couples are currently entitled to would additionally be extended to homosexual couples. Above all, I do not see how legalizing same-sex marriages for homosexuals would be infringing upon or violating the human rights of heterosexuals.
Ulitmately, as human beings we each have to trust that we know ourselves well enough to determine our own individual sexuality by analyzing our own hormonal instincts and inner-selves. No one else can determine what another person’s sexuality is . . . we can only do so for ourselves as individuals. Why is it so easily accepted that different races, genders, religions, age groups, people who are mentally disabled, handicapped, or have dissimilar hair or eye colors inhabit this planet . . . but not people of various sexual orientations? Why should someone be legally denied the right to marry someone else of the same gender simply because certain people of some religions have a personal problem with it? That goes against everything this nation was built upon. America was founded as a place for people to escape persecution - - but the oppressive cycle never seems to end. Homosexuals and bisexuals are fighting for the same basic equality heterosexuals have, NOT "superiority"! As with any example of social inequality, until homosexuals and bisexuals have the same legal privileges as heterosexuals, the United States can never truly be a "Land of Equality." We may not be able to change all individuals’ attitudes, and we can’t legislate how parents raise their children, but we can change and enforce the law!

I found this looking for an article for a project in my Sociology class. I think, however out dated it may be, it makes several points to think on. It is also proof that homosexuals have only ever wanted equality.

87% Hillary Clinton
85% Barack Obama
84% John Edwards
81% Chris Dodd
76% Bill Richardson
75% Joe Biden
71% Mike Gravel
71% Dennis Kucinich
53% Rudy Giuliani
42% John McCain
35% Mitt Romney
33% Mike Huckabee
33% Tom Tancredo
21% Fred Thompson
14% Ron Paul

2008'>http://www.gotoquiz.com/candidates/2008-quiz.html">2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

BLACK VS WOMAN

As you all know the 2008 presidential election is quickly coming, but not with out its problems. If you vote for BLACK you get a christian who believes in tradition, if you vote for WOMAN you get a christian who believes in tradition. No, you read that right, and no, it wasn't my mistake. If you look close at what the two Dems are saying, either one you vote for, you are potentially voting for the same person. Both believe in Civil Unions and not gay marriage, both are minorities, and both, well both are Dems.
I am currently doing research for a paper, the topic the teacher gave us was to analyze a stand from any of the candidates and what their opposition's stand is. I chose Civil Unions, initially starting with WOMAN, but soon realising that BLACK had mostly all the same veiws.
Voting in this election will proove to be difficult for the Dems who usually vote straight ticket, especially those of you who are like me...

 "Gay people are victims not of the Bible, not of religion, and not of the church, but of people who use religion as a way to devalue and deform those whom they can neither ignore nor convert," (ix, a gay metropolis).

I'm sure many of you have heard about the "pregnant man" and I am sure that you all have your own views on the topic. 

At my work today, there was a teenaged girl reading a magazine about his story, when she realized that the man was a woman, she also realized that his wife was a lesbian. She said, "Ew, that's gross," I felt enraged, and hurt at the same time, with all the movements, and parades "we've come so far, but we've got so far to go," (Hairspray the remake). 

I think what really bothered me was that she is young, and most people that age that I know, have no problems with the homosexual community...as long as it does not have effect on them. 

I probably should have expected her reaction, and my naivety comes from my sheltered life"style" (as they say). 

life style of the gay and the lesbians

Believe what you want, think what you want. The only reason it matters to me, is because you are the voters. No matter what I believe and what I want my fate is in your hands. Like anyone I would perfer to have my fate in my own hands, but because of a truth I realized, I cannot.
Because of this truth, I am not allowed to marry in my own state, there are no laws protecting me from losing my job, and no matter how much I don't want to have too, I must protect myself from you. You are the people who are allowed to marry, whose part of your population would hurt me or, if given the chance kill me.
You being black, white, asian, or anything else, you have civil rights, that I do not have. These rights that I gave up by coming out, are because of the phobics in your population, the phobics that created the stereotypes of my kind.

Choice?

So, I feel like bloging...if that makes any sense at all.

There has so much that has happened since, well, I'm not sure exactly when, but it has.

"Do gay people choose to be gay? Are you born gay? Is it inherited? Can your parents make you gay? Can you be seduced or recruited into being gay? Do you become gay because of a bad sexual experience or because of sexual abuse?"

I found that question in a book (Is It a Choice?), it wasn't the first question, and the answer only took up a page in a half, short compared to other answers. The question alone is important enough that the book was named after it. Personally I do not think that it is a choice, that there is a chemical in our brains that makes us the way we are, maybe it is inhereited, we can never really know until it is okay for people to be open about being gay.

There are thousands of people in this world that are gay, but only few of them are out. I don't consider myself the expert on this, considering it is not an exact science and I cannot speak for everyone in the community.Something that pisses me off about straight people, thinking gays are flaunting their sexuality when kissing or holding hands in public. Like in the book I believe that heterosexuals are flaunting their sexuality.

I cannot pretend to know anything at all, but what I am sure that I know is that four years ago I began to wonder, and now I am sure of something, just not sure what.I don't know that anyone will read this, or even care that I posted it, I guess I just needed to let that out, it's not like it will make a difference to anyone really, I just needed to....