A we society...

Over the next 25 days, I will be writing 25 letters to individuals, groups, and organizations who have effected my life in some way, helping me to become the man I am today. Each letter will be posted to my blog, with some names and information withheld for privacy's sake. This is an exercise in pushing my own boundries and telling those that mean the most to me how important they have been. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do...

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Two weeks ago in church, one of the juniors in the youth group was asked to speak following the sermon. It was More Light Sunday at our church, where we celebrated the love of Christ we share with our brothers and sisters in the gay community. Emily spoke so eloequently for a 16 year old. She spoke with conviction and power that many of us can only dream about. Her words are shown below, but the passion in her voice does not translate. She loves as Jesus loved, openly and freely. I hope we can all know what that feels like...

For the past two years, I have been a participant in my school, Hume-Fogg’s, Gay-Straight Alliance. Once a month we meet and discuss the relevant situations going on within the LGBT community and talk about what sort of awareness projects we can participate in or host ourselves. The most prominent event we partake in is the Day of Silence. And if you aren’t aware of what exactly the Day of Silence is, it is basically when supporters of gay-rights are silent for an entire day to make people stop and notice what we are standing up for. It can be a struggle, especially for someone like me who can barely go 5 minutes without talking. But I am a passionate advocate for gay-rights and truly believe in equality for all people, no matter their race, background, socioeconomic status, and especially sexual orientation.

As I have been growing up, my parents have made a huge impact on my beliefs. But on the other hand, they have also made a big point out of letting me grow in my morals and way of life. So as I have been getting older, I have become more aware of the discrimination towards the LGBT community. Because of my parents’ beliefs on acceptance and because of this church’s whole-hearted acceptance of people, there was no hesitation in my choice to support gay-rights. To me, there is right or wrong way to love. No one should be able to tell you that you are wrong for simply loving someone, no matter their gender. If being with that person makes you happy and helps you grow as a person, then no one should stop you from being with them.

I am lucky to have grown up in such an environment that is so welcoming and accepting of all people. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the world we live in. Hate and discrimination against homosexuals goes on every day. The fact that someone can call themselves a Christian and say that they love everyone one second, and then turn around and say they hate homosexuals the next, is so unfathomable to me. Is it not a sin to hate people?

I struggle with dealing with rude people like this every day. They frustrate me beyond belief, but I just pray to God in those times of need and He grants me with patience and love for those people. Recently, the most awful events have occurred within the LGBT community. In the past 2 months, 6 homosexual teenagers in the US alone have taken their lives due to bullying and discrimination. These kinds of events should never happen. No person should ever want to end their life because of who they love. That is why I joined the Gay-Straight Alliance at my school. I am an ambassador around my school and for my friends as a person that anyone can come talk to and feel safe. By being a member of this club, I want to make not only people in my school, but also everyday people aware of the inequality towards the LGBT community, and gain support in the fight for gay-rights.

God made us who we are on purpose; no life should ever be taken because of that.