I have been a member of the LGBT community since I was 19 years old.  At that time, I was a freshman at Long Beach State and trying to figure out if I was a lesbian or bi-sexual.  I grew up in the arts world, so being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or going drag was completely accepted and normal.  Side note and speaking from experience: There ain’t no party like a drag-queen party!  Just saying…

So when something like prop 8, legal definition change of marriage, came around and made it onto a ballot; I was shocked at how many people backed it.  It was American freedom that was threatened with such a proposition; not religion.  Speaking of religion, we live in a country that protects our freedom to be Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Atheist, Jewish, Hindu, etc. I am a huge proponent of the separation of church and state.  When there is prayer in a civic forum, I am respectful and listen.  However, I do not pray.  When it is time to salute the flag of what I do feel is the greatest country because our flag stands for freedom; I mean every word I say.  (The one part that does throw me is the ‘under G –d’ but after much debate I consider it an all-inclusive).  So if religious freedom is a freedom that should be protected, and I believe that it should, then shouldn’t all of our freedoms be protected?  Please do not confuse this.  I do not think that people should be able to commit crimes against each other, so we do need logical laws in tact to keep some form of structure and peace. 

I bring this up because I am getting a sense of how many teens are struggling with the ability to live their lives fully.  Teens end up homeless, abused, tormented, or even worse, dead because of this.  They are experiencing this here in our town and valley and it hurts me to see it and hear about it.  They deserve a better, fuller life and we as a whole community deserve better.

By the way, I am bi-sexual.  I know; totally greedy, but sometimes you just can’t do anything about it.