GOOD NEWS!

GOOD NEWS - AMERICA! 

   In recent days and months several professional gay athletes have stepped out of the closet and into the world of being themselves. The testimonies from each of these courageous men have been nothing less than miraculous. They have all admitted that since they “came out,” their accomplishments have reached unbelievable heights, and this is good news for America. Despite all the hate and bigotry, it is nothing less than a miracle that these athletes have made the life changing move. God works in mysterious ways, even in the gay community, and as the result of the actions taken by these professionals, several young high school athletes have made the move of “coming out.” Americans should offer praise to these young students who have found the value of truth in being themselves. 

    Americans should be proud because once again, as a country, we    have proved to the world that we are a great people. Millions voiced opposition to Indiana’s so-called Religious Freedom Law and Arkansas’ House Bill #1228. These laws would have allowed businesses to openly discriminate against any person they considered to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  It has been a great day for America because the majority of Americans were able to look back and see the evils that were caused by bigotry and prejudice, and declared to the world that we have no intentions of returning to those days. 

   What happens to gays in America is very important to gays around the world. They are looking to America to provide the leadership whereby they can escape the torture of corrupt governments. We must never forget that thousands are still being beaten, hanged, and murdered for no other reason than being gay, and we must never allow the voices of bigotry and prejudice to be louder than the voices of truth.

   So many times in the past America has been the light at the end of the tunnel, and today is a day that Americans should celebrate. Because we spoke out in such large numbers, changes were made in both of the so-called Religious Freedom Acts that prevents discrimination, and this is good news for America.

   Social change has been slow and difficult, but many accomplishments have been made. We are in no way saying that the battle has been won, but we are saying that the early years of the 21^st century have opened doors for gays that have been closed for decades. For this we say, “Thank you, Americans.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOMOPHOBIC FEARS

HOMOPHOBIC AMERICA 

   Perhaps you haven’t heard that a young high school basketball player by the name of Dalton Maldonado was attacked by members of an opposing team for bring gay. Or maybe you haven’t heard that a young lesbian high school senior by the name of Claudetteia Love has been denied the right to attend her high school prom in Monroe, Louisiana, simply because she wants to wear a tuxedo. It is hard to imagine that young students are subjected to this kind of treatment, especially in America. Nevertheless, these actions are the direct result of America’s homophobic leadership. 

   Conservative Christians are yelling loud because they realize they are losing ground. For years they have been able to use the weapon of religious fear as a tool to keep gays in the closet. Now they realize that the social tide in America is turning. No longer are gay Americans, together with millions of straight Americans, going to sit on the sidelines and do nothing while right-wing Christians attempt to pass laws that discriminate against minorities and are designed primarily to keep gays in the closet.  

   When all else fails, the leaders of conservative Christians are now attempting to use “reverse psychology” to advance their cause.  After using all kinds of false accusations concerning the gay lifestyle, they now are trying to say that the LGBT community is the cause of all the problems. Their latest accusation is that gays are attempting to destroy America’s churches.  May I make this perfectly clear, we are not the ones trying to destroy anything, but we are the ones fighting to keep from being destroyed. When was the last time you saw a gay person walking around carrying a hate sign?  Or when was the last time a gay personality appeared on a Sunday morning talk show advocating passing laws that would deny the rights to anyone or any group? You haven’t seen it because it hasn’t happened. 

   The problems can be correctly laid at the steps of conservative Christians. You are the ones who will not admit that hate, prejudice, and bigotry are destroying the happiness of millions. If you would stop trying to force your lifestyle on others, most America’s socials problems would be solved.      

 

 

LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN

THEREFORE-----LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN 

 

    In order to solve a problem, the problem first must be correctly identified.  Let it be known that gay America is not the cause of any of the political upheavals that American citizens are facing in 2015.  We are not the ones trying to pass laws that whitewash prejudice, to turn it into some false form of religious freedom.  We are not the ones denying the rights to anyone or any group. We are, however, fighting to prevent our rights from being denied by conservative Christians. I would like to make this perfectly clear, the LGBT community finds absolutely nothing wrong with traditional marriage. In fact, we believe that the basic reason for marriage is love. Thus, we simply uphold marriage equality that gives the right to consenting adults to marry whomever they love. 

   I thank God every day that the gay community has a solid media   platform, such as the Internet, whereby our voices can be heard.  Americans are posting thousands of articles supporting a lifestyle that means no harm to anyone. Through these articles we have learned that gays are “coming out” in greater numbers today than ever before.  As a result, many religious groups are freaking out because they can no longer use fear, as a tool in the hands of the Almighty, to keep gays in the closet. 

   I will say with my dying breath that there is something bad wrong with a group of people who cannot be satisfied unless they find something or someone to hate.  I have tried and tried and cannot come up with a logical answer to the question --- If the Christian lifestyle is so filled with joy, contentment, peace, and happiness, why are so many Christians always trying to find fault with the lifestyle of others?  If you are so happy, and I hope that you are, why not enjoy your happiness, and allow others to do the same?

   Is it so worrisome to Christians what we, the gay community, have found peace with our God, and, because we love each other, we have secured our place in the life hereafter, that you cannot leave us alone? We wish you well in your pursuit of heavenly activities. We sincerely hope that you have no difficulty using the King James Bible as your secure ticket to walk quickly past Saint Peter at the Golden Gate and on into your concept of eternal bliss.  We would like to make this perfectly clear—we wish you no ill will at all.

  

VOICES OF HATE

WHEN THE VOICES OF HATE RISE FROM THE GRAVE  

   Wherever there is good evil always lurks in a nearby corner. Hate is a pure form of evil that is always ready to make an entrance. Hate has been, and will continue to be, troublesome for a progressive society. It is sad but true that many Americans can never be pleased unless they have someone to hate, and throughout history there have always been a few leaders who have enjoyed fanning the flames.  

   Just when we thought America was free from the likes of Orval Faubus and George Wallace, along comes Mike Huckabee, Mike Pence, and Asa Hutchinson, who are taking pride in reviving the spirit of hate. It is as if those individuals have not learned from history, and that historical hate mongering still speaks from the grave. 

   Hate is hate regardless if it is based on skin color, sexual orientation, or ethic origin, and hate cannot be whitewashed into meaning something different. It is impossible to disguise hate by painting it as a form of religious freedom that discriminates against minorities.  This was tried many years ago. It was wrong then, and it is wrong now.

    It is absolutely startling that these hate mongers always use the Bible to support their evil wrongdoings. They take pride in omitting so many Biblical teachings to harp on just one particular subject.  Many churchgoers have difficulty remembering the time when they heard a sermon on the subject of a rich man entering heaven, or Jesus chasing the moneychangers out of the temple. Few if any sermons are preached on the subjects of keeping the Sabbath holy, or the love of money. Caring for the poor, the widow, or the orphan are subjects that are rendered as lip service only, and are not often used as sermon material.

    But on the other hand, church members have no difficulty remembering the many times they heard sermons concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Preachers take pride in stirring up the emotions of conservative churchgoers and love counting the extra money that these sermons produce. But they deliberately omit many topics that describe the characteristics of the real Christian life.   

 

HOMOSEXUALITY 101

HOMOSEXUALITY 101 

   It was a typical classroom that seated about 40 college students.  The students’ desks were arranged in rows that faced a large chalkboard that hung unbalanced on the wall.  The room was drab, painted a dull, off-shade color of white with bare walls. A plain, wooden teacher’s desk sat in one corner, collecting dust from disuse.  A short, skinny sociology professor—a PHD—stood behind a lecture stand making the final remarks in a lecture entitled “The Characteristics of Primitive Man.” I was seated near the middle of that room surrounded by a group of strangers that otherwise were called students. With one semester already under my belt, I was bored and was considering dropping out. 

 

  All of a sudden, an emotion, driven by an inquiring mind, forced my hand into the air.  The professor looked up, pushed the reading glasses up on his nose, raised his eyebrows in a gesture of surprise, looked back down and continued the lecture. I could not remember any time in my college experience that a student had actually asked a question.  So I waved my hand in a show of determination.

   Once again the professor looked up, removed his glasses, rested his elbows on the lecture stand, and spoke in a disgustingly monotone voice.

    “Yes, young man? Do you have something you want to say?”

    “Yes, sir. I want to know if there were any homosexuals in primitive societies.”

   A moment of silence occurred as a confused professor took a step backwards, cleared his throat, turned and started to write something on the board.  Then he suddenly turned again, faced the class, and pointed with his glasses. 

   “I don’t know, but I WILL find out.”

   Again he turned and wrote the word anthropology on the board.  He faced the students in an attempt to continue the lecture, but was saved by the bell.  The students quickly gathered their possessions, and keeping a safe distance from me, hurried off to their next class.

   It was Sociology 101 and the class would meet again on Friday. The Friday 10:00 o’clock hour came much too quick and the students were neatly arranged in their seats with pencils and paper in hand. The tardy bell rang, but the professor did not show.  The students were waiting patiently when all of a sudden the little man bounced through the door carrying an arm load of books. He pranced across the room and piled the books on the desk in the corner. He carefully selected a folder and briskly walked to the lecture stand.  He leaned forward, pulled the reading glasses under his eyes, and stared directly at the students.   In a voice that had not been heard before, he spoke firmly, “Yes sir, there were homosexuals in primitive societies. In fact, my research revealed that there have been homosexuals in almost all societies.”

   With those words he ran across the room and jumped upon the teacher’s desk.  He whirled around and pointed with his glasses. “Have you ever heard of Margaret Mead?” he asked. “She was one of the most renowned of all anthropologists. She wrote, and I quote, ‘in my studies of the primitive tribes of South Africa, I found many effeminate males assigned specific duties in tribal societies.’”

   He jumped from the desk and ran to the back of the room.  The students were shocked and sat motionless, being afraid to even turn and face the lecturer.

   “And above all that,” he continued, “in some primitive societies, effeminate males were held in high esteem.”

   “Wow!” was one response.

   “Oh, no!” murmured the sounds of another.

   “Yes, it is believed that some homosexuals had mystical powers, the ability to look into two separate realms of the spirit world.”

   “What?” Louder voices reverberated from across the room. 

  “Have you ever heard of the city of Babylon, the city of Athens or Rome – even Cairo, Egypt? I have it all right here in black and white.” He pointed to the books.  “In all those places homosexuality was once a popular lifestyle.”

  “Oh, no,” was heard again.

  “Not really?” Another spoke.

  “What did you say, man?”

  “I said homosexuality was a popular lifestyle until King James came along. It was after that when religious leaders started that distasteful approach to the gay lifestyle.”

   Pencils were dropped to the floor, but otherwise silence dominated.

   I, the guy who started it all, suffered from the emotion of guilt. I had asked this little, old man one question, and apparently it had driven him crazy.  With the remarks he had made, I was sure there would be an all-out student rebellion. Parents would withdraw their children from college, students would get up and march out of the classrooms, and this man would lose his job. What – had – I - done? I hung my head in shame, afraid to face the students.  But finally curiosity set in, and I had to raise my eyes. The professor was back at the lecture stand continuing a fireball lecture. It was a spiritual uplifting much like going to church on Sunday. The scene had changed and a feeling of success pounded at me. I raised my head high and puffed my chest. A miracle had occurred.  The classroom had been turned into an exciting place for learning.  Suddenly, students were jumping up from all over the room and asking questions.

    “Sir, are you talking about the King James version?”

   “Yes.”

   “Sir, what ever happened to Margaret Mead?”

   “I don’t know.”

  “But, sir, what about the red-letter edition?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  It was at that moment that I made an important decision, one of the best in my lifetime.  I would remain a student at the university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

LET THE CATS OUT OF THE BAGS

LET THE CATS OUT OF THE BAGS

 

   Throughout the history of the United States fear has been the major cause for gays living in closets.  Even though ‘coming out’ is easier today than it has ever been, gays are still faced with some major difficulties.   It is remarkably sad that some macho males think that ‘gay bashing’ is a necessary step for manhood, thus gays are subjected to physical abuse. Preachers and political leaders target gays with absurd, false accusations that prove absolutely nothing more than ignorance of alternative lifestyles.  Even in a contemporary society, gays have to be concerned about losing jobs and being overlooked for promotions. It is far from being a just world for homosexuals.

   Religion has been, and continues to be, the main opposition to the gay lifestyle. It is hard to believe that some preachers are still telling congregations they have the right to do physical harm to gays. The plight for gays in America, and around the world, has been fueled by hate.  For many, hating is easy, but when leaders in important positions encourage it, it becomes even easier.   

    Many politicians use the issue of same-sex marriage to stir up emotions in conservative voters in hopes that it will help them to be elected to office. However, public opinion polls show that the majority of Americans believe that same-sex marriage should be legal, and that basic civil rights should be granted to gays.

   In a perfect world, gays should be able to live in a non-restricted environment. And in a country that prides itself with freedom, all people, including gays, should be able to live an alternative lifestyle without fear.

   Today, there are millions of gays around the world who are tired of living in the closet and for the first time are speaking out for equal rights regardless of the consequences. Closet doors are flying open and gays are stepping out into a new world faced with different experiences.  But there are some people who continue to fight social change, and even go so far as creating new methods for discrimination.

   Preachers and political leaders should be held accountable for publicly advocating harmful acts to gays. Coming from America, these voices are encouraging leaders in other countries to continue their vicious attacks of beatings, hangings, and murdering individuals, for no other reason than being gay.         

 

CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL 

   In the late 1930s I entered the world in a primitive environment where access to land and the knowledge of farming were the only tools necessary for financial survival.  Because Americans believe that every child should have the opportunity of an education, I was given a free bus ride to school and was taught by some of the best teachers who ever set foot inside a classroom.

   Other than school, the church became the center for my social activities. I was flooded with the conservative Christian doctrines that were mainstream in the Southern Bible Belt.

   I’m not sure when I first heard the word gay, but the pulpit provided a constant reminder that even a thought about homosexuality was sufficient to send a soul into an everlasting damnation of fire and brimstone. Nevertheless, as a teenager, I knew I was different, but I thought it was common among some youngsters and it was something I would outgrow.  So I stayed in close contact with the church and went through all the religious rituals that were necessary for the cleansing of the soul. I was sure if I prayed enough, and if my faith was strong enough, I would one day be touched by the Holy Spirit and changed into a straight man. Those prayers were never answered.

    Because America is the land of opportunity, I was able to work my way through college and I obtained several degrees with advanced studies in religion. However, the degree in education turned out to be the most valuable and the one that would set the destiny for my adult life. The proudest moment of my life was when I, as a teacher, was handed a textbook, some caulk, and an eraser, and was able to look directly into the smiling faces of the students in MY classroom. I continued that proud moment every day for 32 years.

   Even though I continued teaching, on weekends and during holidays, for thirty years, I owned and operated two music stores that specialized in retail sales of professional musical instruments.

   My first college degree was sociology, and from that I developed a need to experience different world cultures.  At the appropriate time, I sold the businesses, retired from teaching, and set out on a voyage to satisfy the desire to see how people in other parts of the world live.  

   The smiling faces of the people of Southeast Asia warmed my heart, so I settled in Thailand to temporality study the culture of the Thai people. For several years I have remained in Thailand, attempting to understand a society of people who pleasantly accept alternative lifestyles.

   To some, I am considered a successful teacher, to others I am known as a dedicated businessman, and still others ask --- why did I move to Thailand? Other than what I have previously stated, I was motivated to find a place where I could live as a free gay man without the threat of neighbors to do me harm or to destroy my home.  I was also motivated by the desire to live as a 1^st class citizen rather than a 2^nd or 3^rd class, because I know I am better than that.

   In Thailand I have written articles for a few English language newspapers and magazines. I have written and published a few short stories and a few novels. I write a blog that is read by a few English speaking people in a few countries around the world. During the day I continue to write as a free gay man. At night I enjoy dinner with my gay friends, and later I visit the many gay go-go bars that surround the high-rise condo where I live. For me, I doubt it will ever be better than this.

(Written by Dervis Clement Tippen)