Written: 03/21/2012

Most anti-gay bigots come to that hatred because they think that we have chosen this life.

That’s not how it works.

Why would I choose to be hated by so many people?  Choose to be able to be fired because of who I love?  Choose to possibly be denied housing, simply because of who I care for?

Why would I choose to forever jeered at, spit on and in danger of being assaulted?

Why would I choose to feel so isolated that I’ve cried myself to sleep, that at times I became so introverted people were worried for my own safety?

Why would I choose for my rights to be put up to a popular vote?

Why would I choose to be a second class citizen?

Why would anyone choose these things?

Oh that’s right, I didn’t.  Sexuality is not a choice.

And if you think it is (you’re probably straight), I’ll ask you when you choose to be straight.  And I’ll take the Dan Savage way out of this too (note: I still think he posed this on video, but I can’t find it, so here’s the quote I’ve been searching for):

Q: What is your response to people who say that being gay is a choice?

Savage: “You think being gay is a choice? Then choose it: Suck my dick. Show me how it’s done. You choose it – suck my dick – right now, and I’ll videotape it, and then we’ll put the proof that being gay is a choice on the internet for the whole world to see. Deal?”

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 03/20/2011

I may have mentioned it before already (sometimes I have a hard time remembering what I’ve written about), but one of the gay podcasts I listen to is called The Six Pack.  Note: They just ended, splitting off into two projects, but their archive is available, just search “six pack radio.”  I would give a link, but it seems they change their website and branding every few months (but I digress).  Seriously, this bugged me, they kept changing their branding

Anyway, they had a discussion a few episodes ago about the prevalence of gays working in customer service.  Not just customer service industries, but specifically in customer service.  And as we roll closer to summer camp, my roll turns to be almost exclusively customer service.

Without fail, I will get huge numbers of calls (mostly) about our online registration system.  My boss is much, much better than I am at figuring out how to set up events and make them do what we want.  I however, am much better at solving problems about registrations that have been placed, and making everything happen that the volunteer wants.

So is it a self-fulfilling prophecy?  Am I really good at customer service?  Who knows, but I love being part of a stereotype.  Just so I can break other ones later.

All my best,

The King of Spades

Written: 03/13/2011

I’d like to share a few recent items.  The marriage equality measure failed in the Maryland House, after a harrowing trip through the Senate.  Sad news indeed.  The reactions have start to come in, and here’s one that touched me:

“I heard some people say they weren’t comfortable with the idea of same-sex marriage,” he said, describing himself as “crushed” and wavering between bitterness and sadness. “That word burns me. They weren’t comfortable with the idea of our civil rights? How long are we supposed to wait for our civil rights for their comfort? How much longer?”

But then again, maybe it was the official day of fasting that caused the measure to fail.  Once again, the Catholic Church rears it’s ugly homophobic head.  When the leaders of the Catholic Church stop treating my civil rights as something to oppose and hate I will stop criticizing their church.  So I’ll be lambasting for quite a while I believe.

A couple who has been together for 25 years is getting married in the states (and D.C.) where they can, bringing with them an influx of money to those areas.  Here’s their statement:

These last few years, gays have become the soapbox upon which many a political campaign is built, not to mention the crucifix upon which many a religious campaign is hung. I have little to say about this except for: I am appalled. I cannot believe that it is almost 2011 and people in this country that was created by people fleeing oppression still have such widespread bigotry and judgement to pass on their fellow men and women. Women fought for equal rights, blacks fought for equal rights… the gays have been fighting for decades and we still are. How pathetic of this country to deny others inalienable rights granted to the masses. It’s heartsickening and disgusting.

What is neither heartsickening or disgusting is two people in love.

That’s me and Pat.

And lastly, as a note to myself: stay out of Kansas.  Since they are trying to overturn the Supreme Court and make any homosexual relationship illegal.  Yes, illegal.  I love that if they had their way I could be thrown in jail for going on a date.  I could be thrown in jail for being in love.  Sometimes I hate this country so, so much.

All my best,

The King of Spades