And why shouldn't we think of it as hate? It was a prideful boasting of their Christian power to keep us down and in our second class status. It wasn't a protest over supporting the right to free speech as many claim, that was never the point. Cathy may say he believes in an orange magic cantaloupe in the sky and no one will stop him or say he can't, because it's his civil right as an American citizen to speak freely.
No - the almost completely Christian rally was to show us LGBTers how much support Cathy has for financially supporting (to the tune of $5 million) legislation seeking not only to:
- outlaw marriage for same sex couples in every state in America, but
- any civil unions and/or adoptions by gay folks as well.
That is clearly an effort to deny, and prevent if possible, our families from existing at all. Chick-Fil-A money also went to:
- making sure gay teens do not have support groups on campus or any support from faculty and staff, and
- supporting reparation therapy, which is based on self-loathing and has been proven over and again not to work.
But that's not all. Cathy's money also went to recognized hate groups that support the Kill The Gays Bill working it's way toward passage in Uganda. That's the one where if you're a gay parent you're put to death, but if you're a single, lonely, celibate queer you only get life in prison.
Where's the love in that, you Jesus folks? I certainly don't see it, feel it, or recognize it in anything that happened on Wednesday. One week ago today anyone who ate at Chick-Fil-A slapped everyone they know who is gay in the face and told them to sit down, shut up, and get ready to be shoved back into the closet.
The talented author Jane Devin wrote the next day, Being Gay in Tucson Hurts. I couldn't agree with her more. It hurts right here in the Twin Cities too (perhaps even more because of the redundant, unnecessary marriage amendment on our November ballot), and from sea to shining sea. Yes, haters, you scared us. Proud of yourself for that?
I was stunned by the overwhelming support shown for such hateful policies, but I was even more deeply injured by the born again Christian faction of my own family. They have made it clear for years they don't approve of my life and assume I choose to be gay. But until Hater's Appreciation Day, when they repeatedly posted their complete support of the 3 C's:
- Cathy,
- their version of Christianity,
- and Chick-Fil-A,
But I and others, good Christians among us, will turn the other cheek, keep getting up when knocked down, and refuse to be silenced. Slap me as many times as you will, knock me back with the ruthlessness of your hatred, but I will not bow to your pressure to be less than I am, and happy with less than I deserve.
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