Too Sensitive, Eh?

Today there are about 16,000 articles and even more opinions on this Phil Robertson interview. In the interview Phil gave his opinion about persons in the LGBTQ community. In case you are unaware of what he said he is not supportive of anyone who is gay. He somehow combined gay, bestiality, promiscuity, sin, and threw in some added opinions on how African-American's felt before they got their rights.

Mid-morning I was told I was "overly sensitive to comments made about the LGBTQ community". I was also told to "ignore comments about my chosen lifestyle".

At first I was very calm about this. In fact in the first few hours I didn't think twice about these comments brushing them off as ignorant. Uneducated. Sad.

Later, I became angry. So very angry. And here is why:

When I'm in an elevator with my girlfriend and we are holding hands and it stops to let someone on. We immediately let go and take a small step away from each other.

When we go to a bar where we are unsure if the people in it are gay-friendly we sit apart, show no affection and talk like we are roommates. Sometimes we high-five.

When we are at a fair with our son we don't explain that we are both mom's to him. We let people assume I'm a friend or relative just hanging out for fun.

Our son has heard SO MUCH "One Man One Woman" that he is insanely confused. He doesn't know what is okay and what isn't. We have to explain why he has two moms and why other people say one man one women. We have listen while he says he loves having two moms but hates that others treat him different because of it.

This is just some of it. I want people to read this post so I won't keep listing it.

When we are in public we get to hear:
 "Well at least he isn't gay!"
 "It could be worse you could be embarrassed because he/she is gay"
"That's so gay" (and not in a good "hey converse is worn by lots of gay people" kind of way)
"F****t"
"why do gay people have to rub it in our faces?!"
"It is so stupid we have to listen to anyone talk about gay rights. If they want to be equal stop talking about it"

Again this is just a few things we hear EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Well let me tell you a few things.

Phil Robertson is welcome to his opinion. He has the right to think any way he wants about any subject. A&E has the right to say Phil cannot be on the show THEY fund because Phil made comments which clash with where A&E stands.

They BOTH have the right to their opinions and how they react when faced with sharing their opinions.

A&E can use this as an opportunity to educate the public on how to react to others when opinions clash. However, they are choosing to just go straight to the consequence of suspending him off of their show. THIS IS THEIR RIGHT as a company who FUNDS the DD show. They have chosen to back him on some of his beliefs they wanted off of their show but they said alright Phil keep it and we will continue to fund your show.

I am not being overly sensitive when it comes to anything which directly effects my life. I am not being overly sensitive that people think being gay means I am on the fast track to sex with animals.

PS I have 4 and I do not have sex with any of them. Nor do I plan to and I think it is gross.

I am not being overly sensitive when I am told I should die because I am a gay parent.

I am not being overly sensitive when I am being told I should be locked up in a concentration camp.

I am not being overly sensitive when people close to me say "You being gay impacts my life negatively this way but I guess I have to deal with it"

I am not being overly sensitive when a person, such as Phil Robertson, who I respected makes comments which are against who I am as a person.

I'm not being overly sensitive when people say "Why do you need marriage we already give you commitment ceremonies"

In fact I am being too calm. And not sensitive enough. But today I may have been pushed over the age because right now I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO JUMP OUT OF MY SKIN SWEARING AT THE PEOPLE WHO JUST DON'T GET IT.

You want to choose something to be mad about? Why is it this weird idea that Phil is unable to use free speech instead of how many other million things that actually impact people on a daily basis?

Let me tell you something else.

Phil used his free speech. And he can continue to do so. Just not on A&E at this time. I bet he will find plenty of venues to share his opinions. On African-American's, immigrants, gays, and his very own interpretation of Christianity. Just not on A&E right now.

Stop being pissy about one man's uneducated, old school opinions not being welcomed on a network which accepts LGBTQ rights and other forward moving rights and start being pissy about things that are important.

PS Don't fucking tell me I'm being overly sensitive when this is my fucking life you are talking about you stupid ass ignorant people.

Like Violence? I Don't.

There is something about me many of you do not know. Some of you do. Anyone who watches television or movies with me may or may not know this about me. I feel so strongly with this fact that I feel it in my veins.


Violence in television and movies makes me sick. I cannot for the life of me understand why there needs to be any form of torture in forms of entertainment.

Why is beating, raping, shooting, stabbing, or any form of harm  to a person entertaining? Is there not enough pain in the world?! Are people not hurt enough that we have to entertain ourselves by watching it too?

Is it not enough to know violence is everywhere around us? We not only watch it in movies and in television shows but we get to see all sorts of it on the news.

Why do we not watch happy things? What is wrong with hearing about a love story? Or a child who has their wish come true? Knowing the difference someone is making in the community or animals that were rescued?

WHY IS VIOLENCE SO IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE?!

I admit I likely feel so strongly about this because I hear tragic stories on a daily basis. I am very aware of how humans are able to hurt others both on purpose and unknowingly. I see how it impacts people and what struggles they have due to their trauma.

I'm not made for watching violence. I feel the pain and I see how it will impact the people who experience it. It makes  me sad. I physically hurt. And in some cases I cry.

Less violence and more goodness. Is that way too much to ask for?

As I Sit Here

I want to grow up.

I want to be free.

I want nothing to do with your rules.

I want to do what I want when I want.

I want to be an adult.

I want to spend my money any way I desire.

I want.

When you are 16 years old and feel oppressed by parental and school rules. You want to do what you want to do and you are ENRAGED by having to listen to everyone else and you repeat:

I can't wait to grow up.

I can't wait to be free.

I can't waitt  to have nothing to do with your rules.

I can't wait to do what I want when I want.

I can't wait to be an adult.

I can't wait to spend my money any way I desire.

I. Can't. Wait.

The adults in your world know what it is like to be an adult.

The lost freedom.

Rules triple in comparison in every direction.

The lack of money.

The "man" sticking it to you.

The harder you work the more you feel behind.

The harder you feel the more you hurt.

The sudden realization of why everyone said "Enjoy your childhood; it ends too quickly".

The struggles.

And you remember the times you said:

I want to grow up.

I want to be free.

I want nothing to do with your rules.

I want to do what I want when I want.

I want to be an adult.

I want to spend my money any way I desire.

I want. I can't wait.

And the tougher times come the more you want to curl up in  your teenage bedroom and thank the heavens that there is someone, anyone, there to catch you when you've fallen.

To help pick you back up.

Or tell you that you to buck up.

Or give you the skills you to not make the same mistake twice.

Or maybe just that there is just someone else who is in charge of the "red tape" which comes along with growing up.

And suddenly you realize being grown up is not always so fun. There are so many responsibilities that sometimes they are just plain hard to keep track of or stay on top of.

And all those wants. They are still there. Just a little harder to reach. With work, bills, laundry, grocery shopping, errand running, doctor appointment setting, budgeting, house fixing, children raising, school meetings, birthday parties, anniversaries, holidays, deadlines, exercise, hobbies, eating right, animal taking care of......

And occasionally it becomes to much.

And occasionally you sit back and you think "Wow, look at how amazing I am. I should have a super hero cape."

So I sit here, drinking a Shock Top, thinking of all the people I have to think for catching me when I fell.

 For doing your best to pass on your wisdom.

 For your encouragement.

 For your love.

Your compassion.

Your "red tape" navigation.

Your sleepless nights.

Your welcoming arms.

Your swift kick in the butt.

You are the reason I stand strong in the face of adversity, challenges and when it feels like there is no hope left.

 I remember you.

And that gives me hope.

Thank you.