I will NOT lose my voice

Over the years, especially since coming out, I've been criticized a few times for being very "out there" and "in-your-face" about all kinds of things, but mostly about letting people know I'm gay, and being extremely outspoken about my opinions and beliefs.

"Why do you always have to bring it up?"
"Why are you imposing your opinions on us?"
"It seems like you're out to change people's minds."
"Can you give it a rest or tone it down?"
"You're always posting something gay on Facebook. Would you please stop? I'm tired of seeing it." 

These are some of the critical questions that have been asked of me over the years. So let me answer each question.

"Why do you always have to bring it up?" Because I live with it. It's part of my daily life, and I HATE being one of the many who fears holding hands with my partner in public, the way boyfriends and girlfriends do, because someone may want to attack me for it. Silence = death. I will bring it up over and over until I can live my life as fearlessly and freely as you do. 

"Why are you imposing your opinions on us?" Because people like you tell people like me that our relationships are invalid, that we're "intrinsically disordered," (Catholic Church) that we're going to hell, that it's a sin, that we can "pray the gay away," and just about every other demoralizing opinion and judgment that you shove down our throats. Have YOU ever sat in a church and listened to the pastor attack people like you? Have you ever sat in a confessional where the priest won't even finish your confession time because he doesn't know how to handle you? Because that's happened to me. Also there's a difference: your opinions hurt. Mine are just inconvenient for you.

"It seems like you're out to change people's minds." I am. I'm an educator. Too many people out there are misinformed by other ignorant people with big microphones. Educators look for the facts and share them because our job is to turn ignorance into awareness. A few days ago, my students didn't know what the National Anthem was. Now, not only do they know it, but they know the history behind it. It's easier to remain in your beliefs and cling to them than sit down and challenge their validity.

"Can you give it a rest or tone it down?" No! As long as I'm labeled as a "barbarian" (Michele Bachmann's husband called us that), and other such petty insults I refuse to "tone it down." If anything all the hate that's out there needs to be toned down and given a rest!

"You're always posting something gay on Facebook. Would you please stop? I'm tired of seeing it." No, I will NOT lose my voice. There are soldiers in the trenches dying to defend our rights. The least I can do is exercise them! I'm a 2nd class citizen in my own state because I'm denied over 1,000 rights and benefits simply because I can't marry the person I love. I will post and post and post. If you don't like it, hide my posts or unfriend me. I don't care. But do NOT ask me to censure myself when every post I share is intended to expose facts and truth about the daily ordeals people like me face. If you don't want to see it, then block me, hide me, or disconnect from me. I'd rather you turn your head than have you cover my mouth.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. One of the greatest hypocrisies in this country is how we tell everyone to be themselves. We preach it, especially to our adolescent youth, and when they do, they can risk being bullied for it. As a result, I'll be loud and relentless.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in this world is for enough good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke