Talking to the Wrong Person

Yesterday, one of my fellow university students incurred my wrath when I learned that they had donated $200 to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. We had just walked out of the keynote address for University Pride week, and this person frequents the LGBT Resource Center where I volunteer. After they informed me of their donation, I asked them why they did that. They responded that it had been a busy week, and that many things were going on in their life, but one of their family friends had approached them about it and stated that it was needed because gay marriage is morally and ethically wrong. I asked them if they self-identified as homosexual, and they responded that they weren't sure at the moment. I then asked if they had gay or lesbian friends. They turned and looked at me, and said something to the effect of they considered me a friend. I then asked if they felt that they should have the right to be in a relationship with a person they cared about. They responded this would only be appropriate if the person were of the opposite sex.

 

I was enraged, livid and shocked. How could someone that so frequently interacts with the LGBT community do something so callous? I quickly went up to the LGBT Resource Center and began discussing the incident with the people that were there. I erred in that I probably should not have given the person's name, but I felt that since that person frequently visits the Center and that their donation made me feel uncomfortable with their presence in an area I thought was supposed to be a safe place for LGBT persons and their allies, I felt compelled to speak out and ask how I try to welcome that person back into the Center. I told at least 10 people, and although I should feel remorse for doing something like that, I felt justified by the fact that I no longer felt welcome in that space myself when that person was present.

 

Later in the day, this person approached me and told me how hurt they felt because they didn't feel welcome in the Center after that. Imagine that! They said that they had been ignorant of the issue, and didn't understand what kind of group their money was going toward. They said that school and work were really stressful, and their mind hadn't been in the right place at the time. They tried to make me feel guilty about my telling other people what they had done, when they offered no remorse for their actions, only a plethora of excuses. I know it's caustic of me, but if you don't understand an issue, learn about it. Don't donate based on the opinion of a single person. Gather your wits and intelligence and learn about the things that you are contributing to. Ignorance is no excuse for actions. It only exemplifies that maybe your grasp on life is a little loose.

 

I am going to the "Gay"-la dinner tonight to end the Pride Week celebration and am wondering about the response I am going to get. I feel a little alienated by some of the people that frequent the Center because of my strong reaction to this person's actions. Some people feel that I should have moderated my actions, and although I do feel that maybe I went a little overboard, I have had a number of other things going on with regards to this Proposition that have biased my outlook. I have problems sleeping at night because I am so worked up over what will happen in the 3 states with amendments against gay marriage this year. Regardless of outcome, I will be happy when this election is over!

 

Peace!

 

Nate

To Those Opposed To “Gay Marriage”

So, this message goes out to all of those people who are avid proponents of Prop 8, and those that aren't sure where they stand. I want to focus on California and not Arizona or Florida right now because the burden of proof in California lies with those trying to take away an existing right.

First, this is a free country. You have no more of an ability to explain to me why you believe in God, than I do to explain to you why I'm gay. I can't prove to you that I can't change, but you can't prove to me that God exists. I let you worship freely, and you should let me live my life freely, period.

Secondly, there is no scientific proof that homosexual relationships destroy the family. "Traditional" families are a byproduct of the 1950's; when this country was first founded, women were basically owned by their husbands. Anyone want to go back to that? And as far as children go, there are only a small number of studies about the children of gay parents, but they show that those children are usually more well-adjusted than the children of straight parents; imagine that… The only reason why you should feel badly for children of gay parents is because of the way they are treated by kids whose parents teach them to hate gay people.

You can whine all you want about gay people changing America, but it is you who are behind the times. If you would like to hide in a cave because you feel the world is turning into idolatry and wickedness, go ahead. We don't need people to tear us down more than we already have ourselves. As a gay person living in a straight society, it took me years to accept myself; I am not willing to give that up because of some religious ideals that you hold dear, and I deem irrelevant to my life. We both have the right to our respective opinions, and normally I wouldn't harp on you all, but the fact remains that you are trying to take away my rights.

This is a difficult issue for some people, but what I don't understand is why some people want to interfere in the lives of gay people. We already exist, we already have children, please just let us live the way we choose. Do you hear a big ruckus about this in Massachusetts, The Netherlands, or Spain anymore? Spain is highly Catholic, and when it first passed, everyone was outraged. Then the rage died down and people realized it doesn't affect them. The people who are affected are the ones in the stories below.

http://www.hrc.org/issues/10452.htm     

http://www.hrc.org/issues/3786.htm     

http://www.hrc.org/issues/3785.htm

 

Please remember, I am not asking you to endorse homosexuality, or to allow it into your church. We are asking for simple legal recognition, not access to temples, synagogues, churches, or mosques.

Please vote No on Prop 8 in California, Prop 102 in Arizona, and Prop 2 in Florida!

Thanks!

Nate

The Introspection of Self

At a time like this, I find myself wondering where I am headed, and where society as a whole will find itself in the next ten years. We are beginning to see the economic effects of "The Decider's" policies, along with the largest budget deficit (Approx. $492 Billion) in the history of this country. Will I be able to weather a downturn in the outlook of this country and help shape the future that I hope we may see here? The answer is yes, but as I am yet young and ill-connected, I find that my influence travels short distances and is centered in the friends I keep.

Rather than moping the fate of a doomed relationship, I have decided instead to turn this blog into an endeavor of excellence, whereby I may learn how better to write, and to speak my mind on such things as politics and issues, as well as whatever goals I challenge myself to.

Over the last few months I have gone through some lengthy introspection that has produced a lot of dissatisfaction, but not a whole lot of results; I guess that just makes me part of the broader problem in America today, but hopefully I can find a way to deviate from the norm and become an exception. I don't suppose that my writings on here will do anyone very much good, but it is always fascinating to discover another person's thoughts.

I have been trying to make my health more of a priority lately; I have an appointment for a physical soon, and I just had braces put on yesterday. I've already had braces once in my life, but I failed to use the retainers properly, thus leaving me with an undesirable gap between my two front teeth. Although it is small, it is nonetheless aggravating to me, and thus, out of my sense of vanity and wanting to better my physical self esteem, I engaged in getting braces again. As a side note, I also felt that they would help in my weight loss goals, as eating food is much more difficult with braces and takes longer, thus reducing the amount of food that may be eaten in a given amount of time.

I am planning a trip to visit Columbia University in October to check out the school and meet with the faculty. I don't know how good my chances of getting accepted are, but the program is small and I'll need every bit of leverage I can muster. I know what I want out of life, at least in respect to my career, and I won't settle for anything less than I feel I can accomplish.

I think this is enough reflection for one day, and I shall be back to visit soon.

Peace!

Nate

The Beginning

Much like starting over in a new town, creating a new blog that no one knows about is somewhat refreshing. It gives you the chance to begin anew, and develop a persona that might not have been present before. The story I present to you now is one that involves myself though I will err from time to time, making this mostly autobiographical, but partially untrue.

I am 23 years young and I feel that I have a rather interesting life experience so far. Bouts of depression mixed with anxiety and rage have riddled my life, though I try to keep a positive air about me. I love to sing, and have a penchant for entertaining people, whether it be intentional or accidental. There are many intricacies to my life, and over the next while I plan to publish tales of the journeys and tribulations that have coalesced into my life story. Rather than bore everyone with details, I will attempt to intrigue with accounts of my experiences.

A number of things have happened to me throughout the course of my life, and throughout the next while, I plan to publish pieces on a most extraordinary experience I have had. I have had the unfortunate luck to fall in love with a fellow that doesn't seem to understand how deep my affection runs for him, and if he does, has decided that it is not what he wants. At this juncture, I do believe that I still love him, as I am wracked by depressive pains that leave me unable to do anything for moments at a time, but that I must absolve myself of this love through writing about my trials with him.

There is much else to me as well, but for now, I would like to entertain you with the details of an unrequited love, though not in the traditional sense.