hallelujah prop 8 passed... and more!

i've avoided posting on this issue for a bit but i finally had to say something. there is a point to address all interested parties please read the one that applies to you

TO THE LDS/ Pro-PROP 8 AUDIENCE:
i guess my biggest gripe about this issue isn't the fact that it was brought up or that the church sponsored the movement. it was the manner in which so many members have addressed the issue after its passing.

i'm thoroughly bothered by members that feel the need to say "i'm so grateful that this amendment passed and that our society is protected." it leaves those that feel defeated and discriminated against feeling as if they are preditors on the morals and goodness of society, which we all know is not the desire of those that sought the right to be legally joined. in my opinion we as members of the church should be silent victors in this issue. i find it more offensive to justify than to simply say nothing. i find it bothersome and even a bit pharisee-esque to gloat in our righteousness. i am embarassed of those that insist on saying "we are so righteous and so good, see how we are better than thou." to simply remain solemn and respectfully silent would dignify our position as latter-day saints and gain more respect in the "out gay" community.

this is a very very emotional and painful issue for millions of people throghout the world. i feel it is in our best interest to reach out and teach and love everyone. imagine if your marriage with the spouse that you love or if your parents' marriage were suddenly put in jeopardy because of someone else's opinion. imagine if the federal government suddenly said that marriage performed in the temple were no longer valid. imagine if the state's chose to no longer recognize the LDS church as a religious organization and invalidated all that was performed by that church. i know that this will most likely never happen but this is how some of our brothers and sisters feel.

we need to walk with caution and speak with respect in all that we do regarding this issue.

i'm sorry if it sounds a little preachy. i hope i don't offend anyone but i think this is so important to address. i'm afraid that we will lose so much respect not only in the eyes of the gay community but in the eyes of so many other organizations and persons that perhaps at one time looked to us for guidance. i feel strongly that this can be avoided but completely in the manner in which we address this issue and in the way we conduct ourselves.

Remember these poignant words from President Hinckley: "Throughout my service as a member of the First Presidency, I have recognized and spoken a number of times on the diversity we see in our society. It is all about us, and we must make a greater effort to accommodate that diversity. Let us all recognize that each of us [within the Church and outside of the Church] is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children. ...there is no basis for hatred among the [membership] of this Church. If any within the sound of my voice is inclined to indulge in this, then let him go before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and be no more involved in such...There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us." Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Need for Greater Kindness," Ensign, May 2006, 58–61

TO THE ANTI-PROP 8 AUDIENCE
My hope is that as we expect tolerance and forgiveness and acceptance that we also learn to accept the RIGHT of others to differ in their opinions. I ask that we not criticize or degrade those that hold fast to their faith. i am so often shocked and offended by the bigotrous and hateful words that come from the mouths of those that seek acceptance and love from the society that they continually alienate.

there are times when i feel that the gay community is more discriminatory and hateful then the right-wing christian anti-gay hate-monger mothers that protest our pride movements each year. i am not shocked when people look at us with crossed eyes trying to understand us turn their backs and run away with a feeling of relief that we remain a controlled and isolated-from-the-mainstream group.

really, honestly... what about a man dressed in a french-cut bathing suit with a huge wig and far too much make-up screaming foul mouthed terms referring to those that discriminate against him is going to get us access to mainstream rights and privileges?

what about a bunch of half-naked (or fully naked) men on some hideous rainbow float with whips and chains, performing god-knows what kind of indecent acts to the melody of some perverse music blaring so loud it is distorted and unrecognizable will gain the respect of the world?

what about every negative stereotype do we feel the need to perpetuate?

if we long so much to have rights and privileges and to be recognized as a viable part of society then we damn well better start acting like it! we need to avoid the excess. avoid the drugs and abuse of alcohol. avoid the frivolous treatment of morality and sex. avoid the disgusting displays of fetish and private behaviors. we must adorn ourselves with a sense of normalcy and quit being america's and the world's freakshow!

i'm all for being unique and different and special and an individual. i'm all for embracing talent and abilities that are more unique to the gay community. i'm all for reaching out and sharing who we are with the rest of society. but that is exactly what we need to be doing.

we need to reach out and show ourselves as contributing members of society and as strong examples of educated, well spoken, brilliant men and women that are capable of standing up for our rights. we need to gain the respect of the rest of the world in a respectable manner!

if we don't get our way we need to stand for it in a noble and dignified fashion. we need to embrace the policies and teachings of the greatest reformers. mahatma ghandi and martin luther king and nelson mandella were great men that have given us every tool to fight for equality. why are we not following the successful examples of great and honorable men? why do we insist on making fools of ourselves!

in this time when our hearts may be broken we need to show a stronger and more dignified side of our community and be better than those that beguile us.