A friend sent this link to me (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=217875731774) and I found it very informative, because I didn’t even know there were all of these restrictions for LGBT people in the United States of America. It’s funny we say “United” when things like this divide us all. Check out what Brian Elliot has to say below and join this Facebook site. You can also find more information on his website Friendfactor.org. Find out what you can do to make positive change in America. Spread the word!
Dear friends, (and particularly my straight friends)
You may not know this, but I am not a full citizen of this country–nor are the millions of other gay Americans like me. I can be legally fired in 29 states for being gay, legally evicted from my house in over 30 states, barred access to the military and its government benefits, and restricted from getting access to the 1,100+ federal privileges that our government gives married couples. It’s hard to believe that in our country, we all don’t have the same legal rights and protections.
These inequities scare me, because I want to have a family someday. Unless we change these laws, my family won’t have the same rights as the family that raised me, or as many other American families. How is this possible? How much longer will I have to wait?
We can and must change these laws. This year, please help give me–and millions of LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Trans) American–equal rights.
Please show your support for my 100% equality by joining this group and by inviting your friends. I’ll keep you posted on how you can help me and other LGBT Americans gain full equality in the upcoming year.
Thanks for your support!
LET’S SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN GET TO JOIN THIS GROUP BY DEC. 31, 2010!
There would have been progress made in favour of gay rights at all if everyone who was gay / bi etc took the view they would keep their head down, and not ‘label’ themselves, for fear of becoming a target for hate or religious groups or politicians. Why should anyone be afraid of them? Don’t give them that power.
I never said one’s sexual orientation was the only part of a person’s make up, of course not. But I maintain it plays a big part in someone’s life. Of course it does. Why would we even have to argue about gay rights if this is not the case.
Most people look for love or companionship in this world, and physical attracting is a big part of life -- therefore sexual orientation is a key part of someone’s personality. And something one is born with imo
You said sexual orientation is the “Central Part of a Person’s persona”, and I said “it is one of many attributes that make up your persona.” Please read what I write and don’t change my words to suit your argument. Remember your argument started with personal judgment of me saying, “What do you care about gay rights, when you consider revealing one’s sexual orientation is about labeling yourself.” I don’t care if other people choose to identify with a particular group; my point is I’m not going to label myself for your satisfaction or agenda. Going back to your remark, “Why should anyone be afraid of them?” I’ll tell you why; because gay people are taunted, persecuted and harmed every day, just for saying, “I’m gay” or because someone says “you are behaving in a gay manner.” Everyone doesn’t have the philosophy, live and left live.
JP, you pretend that you live in a world that is perfect and that anyone can speak up and voice their thoughts, feelings and opinions and there won’t be any retribution for it. Well that isn’t the world we live in. That doesn’t make it right, it’s just reality.
I receive hundreds of emails a week from people all over the world telling me how they are petrified of coming out because they know they will be ostracized by their family, bullied by people who called them their friend or even killed by people in their community. If people choose to come out, I support that 100%. But forcing people to come out to satisfy your personal agenda is wrong. Sure it would be great if we all lived in a time where we could just be ourselves, but we don’t.
I don’t mind you giving your opinion on topics I bring up in my blog, but personal attacks on my opinion are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
What do you care about gay rights, when you consider revealing one’s sexual orientation is about labelling yourself? A sexual orientation is not a label, it is a central part of a person’s persona.
I don’t label myself, that doesn’t mean other people don’t categorize themselves as gay, lesbian, bi, transgender or transsexual. Once you have accounced that you belong to a particular group, people like politicians, radical religious leaders and hate groups find it much easier to target their anger and abuse on you. Why do I care about gay rights? Well I believe in human rights, that everyone should be allowed to live their life without fear of harm, abuse, or even death.The second part of your comment is half correct, sexual orientation is not a label, but I disagree that it is the central part of a person’s persona. It is one of many attributes that make up your persona, but I wouldn’t say it is the central part. If you feel that the term “Gay” or “Lesbian” sums up who JP is, that’s great. But there is a lot more to Peter than a single attribute; I’m a loving, generous, open-minded, funny, happy, energetic, sympathatic, sincere person that wants everyone to be themself and have the same rights and protections as everyone else.
Hi Peter,
Thanks so much for sharing this. We just soft-launched our beta site and are looking for early users to come in and leave lots of feedback about how we can make it better. Feel free to come check it out. As we grow and evolve the platform, we’ll be building more and more tools for people to turn friendship and education into action.
Best,
Brian
Thank you for sharing this. However, just shouting is a waste of energy, we must act!
Don’t turn back the clock on November 2, for Lt. Dan Choi let’s get out and vote Democrat on Election Day!
Yeah, that worked so well in 2008. They’re all lining up to help.