My Story, looking back......

So I wanted to share my story. This is more of a release for me, rather than an educational piece.

The background -
A very important piece. I grew up in a SMALL town, with a population of 113. I went to the same school my father and grandfather went to. My last name was well known and I never had to fight to be with the "cool kids". We spent our Sundays like every other Cleavers. We went to church (a RLDS aka a version of Mormon) then had Sunday dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's. Usually either taking a Sunday drive in the Suburban, playing board games or Singing around the piano. Yes, these are all very very true statements. I had a near perfect childhood. My parents didn't divorce till I was 17 so life was your typical Midwest family.

The near present-
Basically, this is my religious argument for Gay Marriage Rights. First, I realize the miseducation that still occurs. I don't mean to pick on my father but a classic example. When I came out to him, one of his concerns was for my health mainly AIDS. In his mind, only homosexuals got AIDS. That's how it developed. Thankfully my step-mother who is an RN stepped in to clarify that issue. The Gay Rights Advocates need to realize we have to spend time educating America if they want equal rights. Sure, it doesn't make any sense that Conservative's only arguments are religion in "the land of the free". But it is what it is and we have to work with our surroundings. I read some online arguments against this issue. Mostly pastors and priests preaching against it. I will admit, I have never been in a church where the pastor preached against homosexuality. (maybe I'm just lucky) These pastors and priests take one scripture and interpret such ambiguities into it.

For example, take the scripture

1 Corinthians 6:9 (King James Version)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.

Biblical Arguments Against Gay Marriage
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

(1) God defines homosexual offenders as among “the WICKED.”

• Ephesians 5:11, KJV And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

• The Christian’s duty is to reprove, not to ignore, that which God calls wicked.

(2) God lists “homosexual offenders” among those who HE determines will “not inherit the kingdom of God.”

• No “TOLERANCE” there. No bowing at the altar of “DIVERSITY” there.

• No endorsement from heaven of homosexual churches there.

• No platitudes about the LOVE of God embracing all lifestyles and behaviors, including gay marriages.


When I read that I just don't see the interpretation. I am going to leave that one up to you. If you are against gay-marriage then that is your right, but is it your right to interfere with mine? Do you get to choose what rights I get to have and don't have? If so, I didn't realize I should just hand over my checking account and send my bills to you so you can decided what I get to do with my money and what I don't. Do I get to go to the grocery store with you, or should I just wait for you to give me my "honey do" list? (wait that might infer you would be a homosexual too, let me rephrase my to do list).

One of the other points I read in these articles include there is no research to show homosexuals should raise children. In fact these articles preach over and over that a child needs a mother and a father and go on to say they need their biological parents. Really? the divorce rate is over 40%, that's nearly half! Yes, I've read the sarcastic reasons why gays shouldn't marry. It's humorous and points out the ridiculousness. I got a little off topic, but my point being is how can you create data when states like Arkansas bans gays from adopted children, and a majority of the states don't recognize same sex marriage? You can't create data when there is no data to collect.

So this leaves me with the conclusion that we need to educate. One of the things I told my father after coming out was I am the same Billy I was 5 minutes ago. The only thing that's changed is in your mind. It was harsh, but true and let me point out the fact he still loves me. This actually helped our relationship.

I challenge you to do one of two things.

1. If you are on my side try to educate someone who might not understand. My generation doesn't remember the segregation of the 60's, but our parents and their parents do. The world had a lot of hate, and they surpassed that. The battle is still ongoing, but hey we have a minority as a President so we've obviously moved in the right direction.

2. If you are opposed, then challenge me. Sure, it's my fight, but I want to hear your point of view and see where you are coming from.

I will leave with this video. While its a hidden dig at Dr. Laura, it is one of the greatest moments in TV.