NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH

Okay so most of you know that I am a gay man on the edge of turning 50.  If you didn't, well surprise! 

I'm watching the CSPAN coverage of the National Equality March in DC today.  I'm listening to Dustin Lance Black the Oscar winning screenwriter of MILK.  Dustin is speaking now about eliminating "shame" and becoming proud of who we are.  As Harvey Milk said, "just come out."  Oh "the times they aren't a changing" as Dylan sang, the times have CHANGED. 

Here's my point. 


For years I've hated myself.  I put on a happy face and make you laugh and with my silence I made it okay to be put down for being gay.  I just took it and was the brunt of many jokes at my last job.  (And that was with two gay executives above my abusive boss!)  NO more.

See I can't be that clown anymore.  And I'm tired of being ashamed of who I am.  This week in Spiritual Bootcamp we are focusing on our BELIEFS.  It came up for me loud and clear that I have a deep level of shame around being a homosexual. 

So I asked God to remove this shame. 

I know for a fact that I am a creation of God.  So today I stand proud along with thousands of my LGBT fellow American's and demand and know that WE THE PEOPLE already have our equal rights in this country.

You see I will say it bluntly....you don't get my damn support and money and then shove me to the back of the bus and treat me like a second class citizen.  You can't treat me and others like degenerates and then turn around and ask for political money and support!  The days of comparing me to a "pedophile" just because I am gay is over!  (Please...I've never dated a man under the age of 40!  And I would fight to the death anyone who would even think of hurting the children in my life.)

ACCEPTANCE STARTS WITH ME. 
When I don't accept myself,  how can I expect YOU to accept me. 

SO no more shame, or guilt for being who I am.
Fifty is fast approaching and there are no more excuses.
I deserve a healthy relationship built on mutual trust and openess.
I deserve the right to be married if and when I choose to do so.
(And you know the wedding will be just fabulous!)

I deserve equal rights under the laws in this country.  Protection in the work place.
I see a day when America actually matures like it's European counterparts and repeals
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and thanks those men and women who have devoted their lives to the service of this country with pension and healthcare for life.  Along with the thanks of a grateful nation.

Seriously, I worked all last year to repeal YES on Prop 8.  When the vote came down against us I realized that once again, I am not an equal citizen under the law in the state of California or in this nation that I love so very much!  We live with such freedoms in this country.  I just want to see everyone treated equally and with love.

Peace and blessings,
GM

Huffington Post article.

Cleve Jones founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and Human Rights Activist.
He worked under Harvey Milk and is one of my heroes.