Would You Let Them Channing On Your Tatum?
'The Voice' Crowns Its Winner
From Out Magazine:
It was a Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale, warm and clear, like so many that 12-year-old Michael Irvin had experienced growing up in southern Florida. He was riding in a car with his father, Walter, a roofer by trade who spent what little spare time he had operating as the local Primitive Baptist minister. The two were heading home after an errand that was a regular payday ritual: Walter would drive into town to buy cigars and then drop off money with Michael's grandmother to help with her bills. It was the late 1970s, a time of strife in America, and young Michael had already seen a lot in his low-income neighborhood. But nothing prepared him for what happened next.
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By: Greg D. on 7/14/2011 4:40PM
I'm a black man who has been married for 31yrs to a beautiful black woman. In fact, we've been married since we were both 19yrs old. We have 2 beautiful daughters. The oldest has 2 Masters degrees and 3 wonderful children. The youngest of the 3 was just born Monday. She has a loving husband who is also a professional and a great father. My youngest daughter has her bachelors degree and is working on her post grad and is straight with the occasional boyfriend.
Now, I said all of that to say this: How the heck are gays destroying families?
That's a fake argument. Always has been. Gays has always been among us. It's nothing new.
When hetero-familial life was at it's zenith, gays were with us.
Gay marriage does not define MY or anyone's marriage. If gays are allowed to marry today, does that mean my marriage to my wife is no longer valid?
Besides, "marriage" is not what they're asking for. They're asking for the right to civil union. To have the same rights as Americans as anyone who is a citizen.
NO RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION IS REQUIRED TO MARRY STRAIGHT COUPLES NOW! So, why would they be forced to marry gays?
I've often grappled with the term "homophobia" as well. But, I've come to the realization that IT IS phobia. "Phobia" is fear. The fear is that gays will become the "new norm".
In the past, gays were more or less invisible.
The current heightened sense of awareness of them we have now is because they're fighting for their rights.
There was a time, in white society, when blacks were more or less invisible. It wasn't until we started fighting for our rights did we become much more visible. Once most of the rancor subsided, we melded into mainstream society and became less "threatening".
Gays will not change WHO YOU ARE! Gays will not change WHO WE ARE!
Gays will no change WHO OUR CHILDREN ARE OR WHAT THEY DO!
By and large, the biggest influence on any child are the parents. I'm sure you'd agree with that.
But, keep in mind, the vast majority of gay people were raised by STRAIGHT PEOPLE! Being from straight parents didn't stop those children from being gay.
If you fight against gays for the rest of your life, it won't prevent YOUR kids from being gay.
I doubt if I'll change your mind about gays.
Just think about it a little deeper.
After all, you're not the first person to be stuck on stu...Never mind!
The whole point is: I don't argue in opposition to or in favor of gays. Whether it's a lifestyle or they're born that way, is of no consequence.
They are who they are. You are who you are. Who or what they are doesn't and cannot define you and your lifestyle.
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By: CW on 7/14/2011 8:16PM
Gcompany82
you are in need of mature growth. Teaching hatred for someone who is different is no less than what the Ku Klux Klan did for blacks years ago.
Your hatred for a select group do not change anything.
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By: Nikesha on 7/14/2011 12:28PM
It's good that he's speaking out for equality for gays especially with the subject being so personal to him.
If only more people in this country would follow his lead whether the issue is personal to them or not then maybe we can see gay rights become a reality without the movement have to struggle on for a century like the struggle for African American Civil rights did.
http://changecomesslow.com/2011/07/14/blacks-gays-and-rights/
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By: Unbelievable on 7/14/2011 2:34PM
@Gail:
No, adajeannie did not outrightly state that she hated gay people but, when she compared Michael Irvin's pursuit to gain equality for gay people to the devil, the inference of acrimony can be easily drawn from her analogy.
I am pleased that you consider lying, cheating, stealing, fornication, adultery, murder, incest, prostitution, drug/alcohol addiction, domestic partner violence, child abuse, open marriage, pornography, drug trafficking, out-of-wedlock births, divorce, coveting thou neighbors, persecuting, judging, condemming, relegating people to hell, and not honoring thou mother and thou father as behaviors and attitudes incongruent with God's teachings and the manner in which He would like for us to live our lives.
In recapitulation, I would like to know, from all of the "sinful" behaviors and attitudes inumerated in this comment, why do people not treat all of these other "sinners" in the manner in which they treat gay people, as if that is the only "sin" in the world? Women go to prisons and marry murderers, child molestors, adulterers and some of the worst people imaginable but, yet, choose to persecute and annilate the gay doctor who saves lives and contribute significantly to his/her community.
Don Lemmon at CNN recently announced that he is gay, and the black community wants him dead! But, yet, here is a highly intelligent, accomplished journalist and author who is gainfully employed, pays his taxes, contributes meaningfully to society and is not a CRIMINAL or WELFARE DEPENDENT. Gay or straight, this man is a good role model for anyone to emulate if he/she is seeking to accomplish what this man has accomplished in broadcasting.
I will never quite comprehend why most people in the black community hold the belief that being gay is the worst thing that a person can be. That mentality does not bold well in solving the myriad of problems that are destroying the black community, the lives of your children, and black life in general in this country. If the black community were as viligant about dealing with the real problems confronting and destroying them as they are with their obsession with an individual's sexual orientation, just look at what you could accomplish and where you would be in this country...on top of the world! THINK PEOPLE! THINK!
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By: CW on 7/14/2011 8:16PM
Unbelievable,
A thought about the black community and its hatred toward gays is done because of ignorance. The black community has become the Ku Klux Klan of the 21st century struggling to deal with itself and unable to contain gays.
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By: Gail on 7/15/2011 8:19AM
@Unbelievable
A preacher said in his sermon that:
They just made a SIN into LAW.
What sin do you know was signed into law?
GOVERNOR CUOMO JUST SIGNED SIN INTO LAW.
HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SIN AND IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.
This is not right!!!
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By: Greg D. on 7/14/2011 3:44PM
@Gcompany82 and Vee,
Gays are here! They've always been here! They will be here as long as the rest of us are here!
We (straights) should be here for them if they want to OR are able to change, though I don't believe they can. But, they ARE our sisters and brothers. YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH WHAT THEY ARE! I don't necessarily agree with everything my neighbors do either. But, they, as citizens of the United States have the right to live the way they want to as long as they're not hurting anyone. If you're a practicing Christian, preach the Gospel to those willing to listen. Leave everybody else alone and try to keep yourself out of sin.
Christian brothers and sisters. You're not impressing anyone with the self-righteous stance against gays. Gays are going to be who they are! They are entitled to the same rights as anyone as American citizens. The Christian/biblical position regarding gays must not trump their rights as American citizens.
An American citizens RIGHTS cannot be subject to popular opinion. Assuming you are black. Do you have any idea how many rights YOU wouldn't have if it were left to popular opinion?
BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW BETTER!
And remember, not all American citizens are Christians. Therefore, they must not be forced to live by Judeo Christian principles.
Live right. Preach the Gospel to those willing to listen and let God sort out the rest.
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By: CW on 7/14/2011 6:50PM
Excellent post. Greg again. Remember do not argue with stupid people you never get anywhere. They have forever been stupid and will remain that way.
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By: GregD. on 7/14/2011 4:56PM
@Truth Hurts,
This is my last comment here about gays.
Did you ever stop to realize, it's the negative stigma against gays that is responsible for so many down low brothers in the first place?
Why would anyone deny "what" they are? Answer: Because it's socially bad news for someone other than their gay partner to know about it.
If homosexuality wasn't so frowned upon in the black community, gay black men would not be so inclined to hide their homosexuality.
So, in short, it's people like you who are indirectly responsible for down low brothers bringing stuff home to their wives.
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By: CW on 7/14/2011 8:16PM
Excellent post GregD. You hit it dead on the head. You cannot change ignorance on these posts that are anti gay. Just let them spew their hatred. It does not change anything about gays.
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