Condoning and Promoting Bullying of the LGBT Youth

 

 

Condoning the Bullying

Promoting the Deaths

 

 

Is the US Government one of the causes of the increase in deaths of the LBGT Youth?  Well, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

While we are doing our best to let our LBGT youth know that “It Gets Better”,  The State of Tennessee is passing the “Don’t say Gay” Law.  The law that states that in the Tennessee schools a person cannot mention that the words lesbian or homosexual or gay or any other word that has to do with non-heterosexual orientation.  This promotes shame, hurt, and insecurities.  It also is a way for teens to harass other teens.  What in the world are they thinking?

The United States Congress has had several bills placed before them that would give the Lesbians and Gays some rights. The Uniting American Families Act, the Respect for Marriage Act, and the Reuniting Families Act have all been introduced. They have been refereed to the Judiciary Committee where they have not been brought for a vote. To the General Public this is a sign that Homosexuals do not deserve the consideration of the Government. Shameful that Congress has not gotten the chance to vote on these bills. I believe that this is a sign our children that Lesbian and Gay Youth do not deserve to be protected. They are different and deserve judgement, ridicule and even death.

To the Lesbian and Gay Youth it is a sign that they are nothing in the eyes of our government. They are nothing and their death is a favor to society. I am not exaggerating. I was a bullied youth and I know these feelings.

 

In the State of Texas, a person can refuse to wait on, to serve homosexuals.  Apparently, that is just one of several states who allow that type of discrimination.  I am appalled and shocked that in these United States would allow such hatred, but then I remember not that long ago, that the “conservative Christians” were and some still are against interracial marriage.  That the person of color could be arrested for kissing a white person was not an unusual occurrence.  As a matter of fact, that person could be put to death without the Authorities even wanting to step in.  The movie “Holes” starring Shia LaBeouf has a story woven within it about this prejudice. 

It is apparent that we have learned nothing from our past.  The conservative Christians (something I considered myself to be until not that long ago) (I am still Christian just not all that conservative) refuse to allow for differences.  God Almighty has never condemned a loving same sex relationship, but because of a few verses taken out of context, we have put people to death. 

How can so many people be so wrong about their interpretation of what the Bible really says about Homosexuality?  I asked a missionary friend of mine to understand the history, the language, the context of the verses used to condemn homosexuals and here is what he said:  “I do not need know all of that, the Bible says straight forward etc… etc… etc…”  That is the problem.  As an example I would like to use the Ford Truck commercial with Mike Rowe.  The man who tests drives the truck makes the statement, “this truck is sick”.  Do we really think that Ford would air a commercial where someone says that their truck is horrible? No, we have to take the context of the statement and the language of the day.  He means that the truck is fabulous.  So to those Christians who refuse to do as I suggested by looking at the context, history, and language of the day, they have misinformed several generations of people.  Please feel free to read and challenge my personal research on what the Bible really says about homosexuality before you come to judgment.

 

The Bible Says -- Homosexuality

Ruth and Naomi

 

 

 

Sodom and Gomorrah All Over Again???

Joe Rodriguez was discharged from the Navy under the DADT law, but not before he was drugged, attacked and raped. He is a wonderful example for those young people who are being bullied because of their sexuality. For those who are stuggling with their sexuality he is an example of strength. We in the LBGT community can be very proud of him.

I would like to use this in another manner: I would like to use this as an example of what took place in Sodom and Gomorah. These men that attacked and raped Joe Rodriguez were doing it to punish him not because they were gay and wanted to have gay sex. It was mob mentality. This is exactly the same thing that expert theologians believe took place in Sodom and Gomorrah.

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were having problems with spies from other countries infiltrating their cities. A common way to punish them was to treat them "like women" and rape them as if they were women.

This is for those of you who still think God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of homosexuality. Look beyond what you have been told and investigate for yourself. Before you say "Amen" when you go to sleep at night ask God to show you the truth.

We who are in a same sex relationship are not living in sin because of that relationship. We are not evil and an abomination to God. I ask you to continue to read this blog to see exactly what the Bible says about homosexuality and same sex relationships.

Joe Rodriguez was discharged under DADT. I know it may be tough to be a young gay person. I know it’s hard to have to hide your true essence and live a happy childhood and be who you really are. I understand it’s hard to have to hide in front of family and friends as you grow up to be the man or woman God brought into this world. I ask you to keep faith and not give in to all the bullying and harassment.

I was once in the closet, just like you, and felt the pain and mental anguish of hiding who I really was until my 28th birthday last year.

I was raped by a group of men in June 2008 while I was still in the Navy. My fellow sailors then perceived me to be gay, and harassed me because of the rape at the hands of other men. They were right – I was a gay man, yet I did not deserve to be treated in a hateful manner. But I stood strong and I am winning the battle now. I ask you to do the same.

I understand how you feel, but I beg you to please not give up. Please stand strong and DEMAND EQUALITY. You are all God’s children and he loves us all!! You are beautiful to everyone. We are not different. We are just a little more special, because God made us special, with love, and with love to give. You are beautiful in my eyes and everyone’s eyes. LIVE WITH PRIDE AND LIVE IN YOUR TRUE ESSENCE! I love you all, and please don’t give up. You are the ones coming up in the world and we need a strong generation for years to come. We are not weak. So please, be patient and stand up with pride and fight for your equality!

Sincerely, US NAVY Gay Veteran Jose A. Rodriguez .

We Are A Nation Of Laws - Actually Not So Much

In listening to all of the immigration talk for the last few months, I keep hearing the words, "Illegal is illegal, we are a nation of laws..."

Actually, we are a nation who has stood up to unjust laws and protested them. One of my favorite protesters is Stephen Hopkins who signed the Declaration of Independence. He said, "May King George know that even though my hands may tremble, my heart does not..." All of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were law breakers because they knew that what they were standing up for was right. Their homes were ransacked, they were arrested and even killed because they stood up against unjust laws.

Women began their fight to get the right to vote. They were against unjust laws that say they should not vote. They marched in 1912, they fought for their rights, they were told that we are a nation of laws and that we would not put up with people breaking the laws. However, these women continued to do things that were considered illegal, like trying to vote, and in 1920 the law was changed.

One of my favorite lawbreakers is Rosa Parks. She broke the law because it was unjust and refused to give up her seat in the bus. She was certain that even if it was the law, the law was unjust and therefore should be protested.

Our history is full of lawbreakers who we now honor as heroes because they made changes to unjust, unfair, and discriminatory laws!

When there are unjust laws, there will always be American citizens that will stand up and go against the law because it is the right thing to do. Our immigration laws are unjust. If the same immigration laws had been in place 100 years ago that are in place today, most of us would not be living here in the United States today.

Immigration laws say that the children that were brought here by their parents when they were but babies, should be deported. That is wrong. It doesn't take a Rhode Scholar to know that this is wrong and it will never ever be right. It is not a Republican issue, it is not a Democratic issue, it is right to allow these kids to stay in the United States and the Dream Act is a beautiful way to help these kids have a bright future here in the United States. Shame on those who did not vote for the passage of this bill. Power without compassion is tyranny.

There is no cap on the amount of people that can sponsor their spouse for immigration. If a person's spouse is from another country, they can petition to have their sweetheart come to the United States and get a Green Card. Now there is some proof required, but all in all is is basically cut and dried. You have a spouse, you can get a green card. ... Unless you are of the same sex as that spouse. The United States does not recognize same sex relationships. Apparently, they have some exaggerated sense of what they think is right and wrong, yet homosexuality is the only "sin" that is discriminated against in immigration law. No where does it say that liars cannot immigrate to the United States. No where does it say that those who take the Lord's name in vain cannot immigrate. Shame on the United States for having such hypocrisy in it's immigration law.

For anyone to say that homosexuality is a sin, well they have not done their own research in the Bible and choose to believe centuries of misguided lies by the religious community.

As American citizens, it is our job to stand up to unjust laws. Our immigration laws are unjust, un-American, and just plain discriminatory. We need the Uniting American Families Act passed so that everyone can stay with their families. We need the Uniting American Families Act passed, because it is the right thing to do. We need the Uniting American Families Act passed because we are a nation that needs to go back to the ideas that founded this nation that all are created equal. Let us pursue our right to happiness by being with our loved ones. Pass the Uniting American Families Act.

Why Passing the Uniting American Families Act Should be Important to Congress

The Uniting American Families Act would give Homosexual United States Citizens the right to sponsor their partners(for lack of a better legal word) for Green Card status. The heterosexual community has been enjoying this right since people have been falling in love with people from different countries. I believe that it is high time that the lesbian and gay community be afforded this simple right; the right to live with whom we love.

One argument is that passing the Uniting American Families Act would promote fraud. I read that people opposed to the UAFA feel that proving that a person is really in love with another person and wanting to spend the rest of their lives with that person is difficult without the bond of marriage. To that ludicrous and quite ignorant protest I answer: Allow us to get married then. There are ways, just as there are with heterosexual people, of proving a relationship. This really is a poor excuse for not passing the Uniting American Families Act.

Another argument is that allowing homosexual people to sponsor their partner is an affront and an attack on the family. US News and World Report reported way back in 2004 on the rise of the gay family. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/040524/24family.htm
Like heterosexual couples in a committed relationship, some want children and some don't want children. In no way is allowing people to have families an attack on the family.

I have heard that people do not think that homosexuals should be allowed to have children. Aside from the obvious grievous attack on the personal rights of human beings there are several studies saying that children of same sex couple do as well or better than their counterparts.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19014-children-of-lesbian-parents-do-better-than-their-peers.html

So the fact that people think that the United American Families Act is an attack on the family is also not accurate. All most of us want to do is to live in peace with our family without fear and hate.

Probably the most outspoken arguement from the opposition of the Uniting American Families Act is that God is against homosexuality. It seems that Congress has taken ahold of this and is using it for all bills that have to do with homosexuality. Sadly, a lot of the people making these statments have not picked up a Bible in years and are ignoring advice from all parents everywhere, "Learn to think for yourself and come to your own conclusions".
If God hates homosexuals, why is John 3:16 in the Bible? "For God so loved heterosexual people..." No, it says "For God so loved the world..."

If God hates homosexuals, why did Jesus heal the Centurion's beloved servant?

For those who still think that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of homosexuality...that is so not right. Read your Bible:

Ezekiel 16:49
49 " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-God-Destroyed-Sodom-and-Gomorrah

The verses used at a lot of heterosexual weddings to pledge their lives to each other forever are words that were spoken between two women. Ruth 1:16 & 17

God does not hate homosexuals. It is simply not Biblical for anyone (even the Pope) to say that God does not love homosexuals. Shame on the Church for straying so far away from the Word of God and allowing centuries of prejudice to influence their thinking and not do their own research.

Congress should pass the Uniting American Families Act on principle. Are we less of American Citizens because we are homosexual? Do we not have the right to be in love with whom we have fallen in love? Are we not entitled to the same rights as Americans because of sexual preference. While the government encourages businesses to not discriminate on the basis of color, sex, age, or sexual orientation, they are GUILTY of these very discriminatory acts.

I am an American and as an American I am guarenteed rights by our Constitution. I ask that the Uniting American Families Act be passed so that I and thousands like me can have the right to live in our country with the person we love, with the families we love. We need to be allowed this right as Americans.

PASS the UNITING AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT. It is the right thing to do, it is the Christian thing to do, it is the American thing to do.