I have heard that it’s the “in thing” to be accepting of different lifestyles. That is chic to have gay friends. Everyone is doing it. And I have absolutely no problem with any of those ideals. I just wish it were true for more people.
I am an advocate not because it’s the “in thing” and everyone is doing it. I am an advocate because I don’t believe who you love or how you identify matters in how you are treated as a human being. It makes no difference to me if you are gay, straight, transgender, bisexual, lesbian, white, black, Asian, Christian, Islamic, Jewish. What matters to me is if you are a gracious, genuine and generous person. Whether you work at a local Starbucks or you are a drag queen on RuPaul’s drag race (I am OVER the Heathers and nasty people on that show), I judge you not by the way you look or who you like, but by who..you..are and how your words and actions influence or hurt others.
I am an advocate because I have so many lovely friends from all walks of life. They are dear to me. They are funny, quirky, smart, excellent chefs, fashionable, odd, creative, gentle, strong and fallible. They deserve no less in their personal and professional lives than I do. NO LESS.
I am an advocate because “all men are created equal.” I believe that our founding fathers defined “men” as mankind. The definition of mankind, according to wordnetweb.princeton.edu, is “all of the living human inhabitants of the earth.” We have certain inalienable rights; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is for all, not for some.
I am an advocate because I believe abusing people who are different is wrong. I believe it takes a hateful, scared person to abuse another simply because they don’t understand their dress, their look, their culture or their orientation. Some say “superiority complex” – Nahhh, I think it’s inferiority.
I am an advocate because, as hippy-dippy as it sounds, I would like to see a more accepting peaceful world. I won’t be wearing a hemp skirt or grilling tofu on an open fire at Burning Man any time soon, but I would love for those I care for to never fear for their safety, to have the same rights that I do.
Should the visiting reader stumble upon this blog and think “yeah, I want to be part of the ‘in thing’”, I say come on, be an advocate, shine your light, raise your voice and join those of us who are truly cool.
