GAY 4 EQUALITY

Standing up for what’s right can be simple. Easy. Straightforward even. How many of you may have said something like this: I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD MAKE A CHANGE FOR GAY PEOPLE – I JUST WASN’T SURE HOW OR WHERE TO DO IT! SOUNDS FAMILIAR? Chances are it is. Around this planet, thousands of GAY men and women get out there and fight for GAY RIGHTS are seeing big changes in the way WE are being treated. However, though many of these changes are GOOD, there’s still a long way to go before equality is reached. The problem is that though many of them are out there fight for us, there is STILL a need for more; and it is my UNYIELDING belief that WE are GAY to bring about EQUALITY on this planet. So many of us asked ourselves questions like, I’m GAY? Why should all of this GAY stuff matter to me? Is there a reason for me to care about GAY ISSUES? How do I get past some of my own barriers to being comfortable AND supportive? When you actually think about it, most GAY men AND women don’t know HOW TO BE GAY…SCARY, RIGHT? Our reason for being who we isn’t embedded in what we wear OR how we act; but in OUR commitment to supporting AND advocate for OUR rightful place on this planet. Now before you get all scared please note that I am NOT We’re not talking about a major political protests (although that's certainly an option) but the tiny everyday changes like not omitting the fact that your are GAY. We need to raise awareness AND challenge assumptions AND stereotypes in OUR sector of this universe. Maybe it means objecting when someone at the office tells that really OVER-THE-TOP GAY JOKE…AGAIN! Or perhaps it is about paying attention to where YOUR church stands on EQUALITY for HOMOSEXUALS. Really, the possibilities for what you can do are endless. And we need to acknowledge AND work on any uncertainties WE may have in COMING OUT as a GAY ally. The time to SPEAK UP is now! HERE ARE 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PONDER THAT FIRST STEP FOR GAY EQUALITY:

1. Become informed about the realities, challenges and issues affecting the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people’s lives through websites, books, documentaries, and educational materials.
2. Be open about having GLBT friends, family or acquaintances that you value, respect, and are grateful to have in your life.
3. Speak up when you hear derogatory slurs or jokes and don’t use them yourself.
4. Ask if you are unsure how a GLBT friend, family member or acquaintance would like their significant other to be referred to or introduced, rather than avoiding acknowledgment of the relationship.
5. Help children learn about and appreciate all different kinds of people. Be mindful of the day-to-day messages that they are receiving about GLBT people and issues in school, from friends, and on TV and talk about what they encounter with them.
6. Quit or don’t join organizations that overtly discriminate. Let them know why you are leaving or not joining in the first place.
7. Support GLBT-owned and GLBT-friendly businesses.
8. Encourage and support company policies and programs that promote a positive work environment for GLBT employees at your workplace.
9. Write letters to the editor of your newspaper to comment as a GAY ally on why you support respectful and equal treatment for GLBT people.
10. Call, write, e-mail, or visit public policy makers and let them know that as a GAY person who votes, you support laws that extend equal rights and protections to GLBT people.

BEING GAY FOR EQUALITY TO ME MEANS THAT WE ARE GAY FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. NOT ONLY IS IT OK, BUT IT IS IN MY OPINION ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO AN INDIVIDUAL! THE UNIQUE OUTSIDER VOICE OF THE HOMOSEXUAL IS POWERFUL & CARRIES A CREDIBILITY THAT HELPS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO & RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT HUMANS THAT ARE NOT TREATED AS SUCH. SPEAKING UP & ACKNOWLEDGING THROUGH WORDS & ACTIONS THAT WE DESERVE TO BE RESPECTED & TREATED EQUALLY ALSO HELP OTHER PEOPLE TAKE NOTICE WHO THEY ARE & WHAT THEY ARE DOING ON THIS PLANET. WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL THAT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY GROUP IS WRONG & NEEDS TO BE STOPPED! THE HORRIBLE EFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATION HAS CAUSED SO MANY OF US OUR LIVES & THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE CASE. I AM ALL ABOUT EMPOWERING HOMOSEXUALS @ WHATEVER LEVEL I CAN & I SEE THAT SEXUALITY HAS A REAL HONEST TO GOD PURPOSE…I JUST WANT EACH & EVERYONE ONE OF US TO MOVE US FORWARD ONE PERSON @ A TIME. THINK ABOUT THE RELIEF, THE LOVE…THE HUMANITY WE CAN SHARE WITH EACH BY SIMPLY BEING WHO WE ARE…WELCOME HOME, I WILL LEAVE THE LIGHT ON FOR YOU…