One Generation

What if we could raise one generation free of prejudice against anyone, for any reason?

I don't like to use my blog for political or religious issues, even social issues. My beliefs are mine. Your beliefs are yours. I live in a country where that's allowed. And I'm damn proud of the freedoms I grew up believing in.

However, this is a human issue. Children. Young adults. So precious to our future. So full of potential. Lives cut short before they've had a chance to see even the edges of what might be. Of how it will get better.

Anything that creates despair so profound that a child would want to end his life is wrong. Anything! I don't care if a child is gay, straight, bi, black, white or purple. Children are meant to be cherished. Not abused. Not even by their peers.

People scoff and say "well, children can be cruel".

Bullshit.

Children learn their behavior from the adults in their lives. A baby is born innocent, free of all prejudices. The parents teach their children to be cruel, to be prejudiced, to look at others through their own distorted belief systems.

Those same adults are the ones telling children who are different that they will burn in hell because their interpretation of God is hate.

"God hates fags." The so-called preacher in Kansas who everyone claims to abhor is at least honest about his hate.

Any clergyman of any faith who gets in his pulpit and claims gays are less deserving of God's love is secretly wishing he could get away with the same bluntness. Or he might as well be.

Any politician who is against gays serving openly in the military or claims gays don't deserve the same rights the U.S. Constitution guarantees all citizens is secretly wishing he could throw out the same phrase. Or he might as well be.

American politics has become divided across religious lines in direct contradiction of our founders' belief in "separation of Church and state". No longer do our politicians talk about how they want to make life better for all Americans. They talk about how they love God and family values. Who's family values? They don't represent mine. Not if they exclude any American based on prejudice and hate.

My God created all of us, even the gay ones. My God made us the way we are in all our glory and all our differences. My God loves all of His creations.

Too many so-called Christians shout old Testament rhetoric as proof God hates fags. But my God sent his Son to announce a new way, a new path, one of faith, hope and love. If you don't believe in that kind of love, in the love Christ died for, then don't call yourself a Christian. Don't try to make people believe you are a moral person when your hateful words lead to the loss of a child's life.

Any person who preaches the idea of gays being somehow "less" than straight people is contributing to the rash of suicides among our young. Your young. You never know if the children you tuck in at night are learning to hate those you hate. Including themselves.

What if we could raise one generation free of prejudice against anyone, for any reason? That would truly be paradise on earth.

Wear purple on October 20, 2010, to show your support of our children. All of them, gay, straight, bi, black, white or purple. http://www.glaad.org/spiritday