Let's see those Spirit Fingers...

I'm sure that everyone has heard about the slew of gay teens who have been committing suicide lately.  If you haven't then email me, because I would seriously like to know what kind of rock you've been living under.  It seems like these kinds of tragedies keep increasing, when in reality they should be decreasing.  The common thread in these recent events is homosexuality and hate.  All of these boys were gay, and they were mercilessly teased, bullied, physically harmed and made fun of on a near daily basis.

When I think of these boys being harassed, bullied and hurt either emotionally or physically on a near daily basis as we creep into the year 2011 I am just completely and totally disgusted.  I am disgusted by the actions of the bullies and often by the non action of the school systems.  Often times the school officials will see this going on, right under their noses, and ignore this abuse due to their own prejudice and narrow mindedness.  We have come so far in the battle for civil rights, and yet we still have so very far to go.

I know that there will always be people who have hate in their heart for those that they don't understand, those that dare to be different and those who aren't like them.  I know that, but that doesn't make it any less of a shock when I read about people like Asher Brown, whose parents had called the school and the counselors time and time again, only to be ignored.  It doesn't make it any easier for me to understand when I read about another mothers son who has lost his life due to senseless, blind hate based on sexual orientation or color.  It still baffles me when parents teach their children the way of hate, instead of the way of compassion and tolerance.

I have seen a lot of this first hand.  I've gotten messages from my friend Calvin after he got jumped on his way to the gas station to buy cigarettes and a soda just because he is gay.  I've been kicked out of a home I was renting because my landlord said that I had too many of those "faggots" over at my house.  I've watched my friend Ryan struggle to accept himself, who he is, and the way he loves.  I've seen a lot of intolerance over the years, and I have yet to be able to understand or make sense of it.  I've worried about my friends and I've been angered by the cruelty that they have endured at not only the hands of strangers but of people that they know, and sometimes even their family members.

Calvin

I am grateful that they were strong enough to make it through all that has passed, and strong enough to know that more intolerance lies in their future and keep on going towards it anyway with their heads held high.  I also understand that some aren't as lucky, aren't as strong and don't have the support system that my boys have.  I am bothered by the fact that things like these boys suicides have to happen.  I am bothered by the fact that they will keep on happening.  I am bothered by the fact that some people just don't seem to care.  Most of all though, I am bothered by the hypocrisy.  If those boys were girls and were lesbians, then the same boys that were condemning them and bullying them to the point that they felt they had no other options aside from death would have been jacking off at night to the thought of them kissing their girlfriends hello in the morning at school.  It has become socially acceptable to be a lesbian or to be a bisexual woman or girl.  So please tell me, how the fuck is it not socially acceptable to be a gay boy or a bisexual man?  I would honestly love to know, and if you want to be a jackass and answer that by saying "because lesbians are hot *stupid ass laugh* then just know that somewhere there is someone like me who will introduce you to their left hook real proper like for being such an idiot.

Ryan and myself

On October 20th is Spirit Day, they are asking that we all wear purple in memory of Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Billy Lucas and all of the other LGBTQ men and women who have lost their lives to intolerance and senseless hate.  I don't know about you, but I'm going to be wearing purple tomorrow, not just for them but for every other LGBTQ person who has had to endure any kind of cruelty, any kind of hate or intolerance or bullying just for simply being who they are.  I'll be wearing purple tomorrow for Ryan -- my gay boyfriend, Calvin -- my gay husband, Randy -- my uncle, Kristen and Katie -- my niece and her wife, Brandon -- one of my best friends and everyone else.  Why?  Because this is America, we should all be free to be who we are, as long as being who we are doesn't hurt anyone.  And last I checked being LGBTQ is neither contagious or harmful to anyone.

It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.

How do you feel about the bullying of LGBTQ kids in schools?

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