When you read Straight Into Gay America you'll discover how my dad and I disagree about equal rights. I included this part of my life in the book, because it's a part of life that many of us deal with -- Parents wondering about their kids -- Kids wondering about their parents. I included this part because I can still thankfully say that I enjoy the unconditional love of my parents, brother, spouse, and kids. What a gift.
Equal Rights or Special Rights? According to my dad, Equal Rights are not possible. Instead we should be going for Peace and Justice and Freedom, those higher things. I agree about Peace and Justice and Freedom, and still I think that Equal Rights are part of the picture toward living with compassion for one another.
Jody Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG is working on writing the foreword to Straight Into Gay America. He told of a recent experience of a kid in a religious school who was harassed by the leadership until he left for another school where, finally, he is thriving. (Purposely vague on details)
Nobody wants harassment. Equal Rights is part of stopping these tragedies, part of the journey toward our living well together.
Even though I believe these things about Equal Rights, I still feel vulnerable saying them. The journey toward Peace, Justice, Freedom, and those highest things feels exposed and risky.
This summer, and up until the election, I'll be using the term Equal Rights a lot. I'm looking forward to getting more comfortable with the risk and the exposure. I'm looking forward to learning how to build better bridges between my viewpoints and the worldviews of others.
Much to learn.
I'll try to get back here tomorrow. I know how important it is to write, to share, and to listen. Thanks for your comments.
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