I hate to post and run . . . but that’s what I’ve gotta do. I just wanted to acknowledge some of the good vibrations that are happening, even and especially in the midst of so much other crapulence that the world throws at us all.

I who also live in the southern Midwest support you and your family. Peace.

Rock on!

So right and so good. I too want to thank all of you that support us. Reading your words, as I post them on The Safe_Bet Project, usually make me cry. I am okay with that, though. You see they are happy tears. They are a reflection of how good it feels to know that everybody isn't the enemy.

I, logically, know there are straight people out there that actually care about us, but seeing people actually put in all of the effort and creativity to write it out FEELS so damn good emotionally.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you.

P.S. But don't think that this lets you off the hook regarding your posts for The Safe_Bet Project, dammit! ;-)
.

I have supported gay rights since I was 14 years old back in the 60's and it was kept a secret to protect themselves.

My father's best friends were gay and then when I opened my store in 1974, the gay population were first and always my strongest supporters. I get very angry with this country when my country supports gay marriage and rights. It is a complete travesty here. Especially when the Mormon church puts their nose where it does not belong in California.

Off with their heads I say. Let everyone have equal rights.
rated with hugs and the colours of the rainbow

I want to be alive when my best friend finally gets his right to marry.

I get what you're saying completely.

GASP.....you mean?????????? OMG...and all this time...I...I...thought...I thought I'd read everything all my favorites had posted, a-and, you mean...I MISSED THE SAFE_BET ONE?? OMG! Well, I'm about to rectify this, post haste. Here I go....

Rated and Tink Picked for more exposure to this great project!!!

If this piece doesn't do it, I don't know what does, Owl.

"...having all that riding on the relatively simple wish to, you know, just live."

This universally simple and profoundly meaningful sentiment should be embraced once more and more of us become human. I got a little emotional reading this letter and that, my friend, is an accomplishment.

And rated.

Well you're welcome. We'll just keep supporting you until things are right. I hope I see that day soon.

a great project that deserves much attention and support. i'll go into battle with you anytime.

It is absolutely not too much to ask for -- to love and live in peace.

You guys are the best! I always find myself a little verklempt with these things. (I just figured out how to comment from my phone, and had to come back...hard going for typing, though)

Thank you all for your support, on OS and in the world.

If everybody just let other people alone, we'd all be better off. Major hugs, Owl.

"Although I have no wish to live offensively, it’s tiring to live in a constant state of defense."

How could anybody disagree with that? It sounds exhausting...

YHeron, it is exhausting. I don't usually think about it, except when something happens that really bugs me - like being told I'm lucky to have the job I have. Or listening to political BS. Then the weight is heavy. That's probably pretty universal, though!

I missed this, but add my support!

Absolutely. The support is strong.
May the ground swell grow stronger.

And ... nice to hear your voice again.

i'm inspired to make my Safe_bet contribution.

peace is. necessary.

You know, for the life of me I can not understand how any person can be denied any right or be treated differently merely because of their sexual prefrence. Maybe I am just too simple a man, but I just can't understand how sexual prefrence of another could get anyone upset. Any man or woman who walks onto Almosta Ranch will be greeted the same way.....with friendship.


You, dear lady, would be greeted just as I would a little sister. Simple as that.

I made my contribution. With you all the way!!

Having to ruminate on my reply. I am most definitely in support of LGBT people having equal rights with every other citizen. Nobody should have to live constantly on the defense that way.

Just a quick recap of those that I'd like to thank for their fantastic contributions today are:

Moistowelette, Two thumbs, L in the Southeast, Kathy Riordan, Steve Klingaman, Mary Ann Sorrentino, Walter Blevins, Amanda G, froggy, rjheart, Lea Lane and Mamoore.

I'm sure that there will be just as man wonderful posts tomorrow. Thank you all. You make my heart sing.

make that, "just as MANY"

yup. Time for bed!

P.S. and hell no that was NOT a Freudian slip, thank you very much!

Full support here. It's unfathomable to me why some folks fuss and fret about who someone is partnering or bedding with.

I will respond whenever you need me to. I won't rest until it's done.

Lezlie

Owl, what a heartfelt letter... you put it out there simply and without fanfare, thus making it all the more effective. Thank you. I'm with you--so tired of the fight sometimes but know we have to keep pushing forward. oxo

Lezlie, having read of your experience in Tougalou (sp?), I know that you have seen, first hand, what hate can do. Having read some of the experiences of others on OS, I know that none of us are alone as we look out for each other. Thank you so much for your presence. Each of us matters.

Love you Owl; have for a long time and always will.

It never occurred to me not to support Gay rights. For a long time I was dumb enough to think they existed, I mean, why wouldn't they?

I apologize Owl. I did not know about this. I missed it. But I will write something tomorrow if that's okay.

I replied to a few people, but I wanted to make sure I addressed each and every one. Your posts and comments are a real encouragement.

Bernadine, LadyM - Namaste.

Amy - Thank you for putting out the open call. This is a cool project, and one that Suzy (Safe_Bet) is surely enjoying right now.

Linda - Amen, and thank you.

Harry - I know you do, my friend. I know you do.

Matt - Well done on your rectification!

Thoth - If only one piece could actually do it! But if nothing else, this is one more thing that we all do together . . . and that in itself is an excellent thing.

Ann - I believe that, and hopefully that day will be soon.

Chuck - Safe_Bet's Amy deserves the credit for the project . . . I'm just enjoying to posts I've seen so far.

Bellwether - It seems like a simple thing, doesn't it?

Pilgim - So true, so true. It would be a nice break for everybody I think.

xenon - It's good to know that the lead wimmin pirate of OS is on our side!

Scarlett - I think, inch by inch, we are gaining ground . . . and it helps when we know we're not alone.

Renatta - Blessings upon your inspiration, and upon you as well.

Torman - It should be so simple. Content of character and stuff like that. I guess we just keep marching forward, living what we believe . . . If nothing else, the response here from such a wide cross-section of our country/culture is extremely encouraging.

Lea - I know you are . . . you answered the call before the open call! One of many, many things I love about your humanity . . .

Shiral - I support rumination. It seems like I do a lot of that . . . which could actually explain my writers block!

Dr.Spud - Thank you, my friend. You are a mensch. Love you, too.

Fay - I know what you mean . . . it's actually one of the reason that Harvey Milk (and others) encouraged people to come out . . . as in so very many things in life, we don't know until we know . . .

Monkey - (I can't quite bring myself to call you "foolish") No worries, my friend. I wasn't here to see the open call in the first place, but happened to catch it yesterday, and was inspired.

I hear your song, girl!! I'd give a million dollars for straights to live like us for one week. Maybe then there wouldn't be something stupid called special rights but rather equal rights...

Missed out on this the first time but will go check it out now. I have always supported LBGTQ rights for over 30 years, long before my son told me he is gay. Thanks for this piece.

Good folks all around this place. I am truly blessed to have found it, and you.

Luis - I knew you would. Thank goodness many straight folk DO "get it," and support the equality.

Faith - Blessings on you, and your son. I'm sure you know how lucky your son is to have you!

Doug - Amen. OS has been a wonderful respite from some of the drudgery, no?

xoxoxo

screamin' mama - Always good to see your awesome avatar in the neighborhood!

From my favorite post, by my favorite poster

"I miss

the "family"

of those who say that

god is love but call me/mine

an abomination and make others fear

to embrace me despite my heart of light "


It saddens me to think of how many people have gone through life in dread of living because of the sanctimonious, the pious and the bigoted.

I feel embarrassed for a humanity that is selective in who they accept into the club of human beings.

I feel ashamed for the wrongs committed against the innocent, simply for loving.

As long as I’m alive, my friend, I will not stand quiet when any human being is disrespected for offering themselves in the name of that love.

I remember in the 60s, the chant was “why can a soldier of 18 go to war and give his life for the government that he can’t vote for?”

I’m wondering now why a soldier can go to war and die for a country (as long as he or she does so quietly) that can’t accept the fact that they love who they love.

It's so good to see all the support! rated.

Boomer Bob - Thank you so much, my friend! I was looking back at that very piece the other day, and contemplating how very lucky I am to be on OS, discovering that so many of us are on the same side.

Caroline - Indeed it is. Ya'll are some mighty fine folk!

rjheart - Thank you, rj. Your post on the subject was so very, very good . . .

It must be tiring to live in a constant state of defense....I am with you.

diary, it gets to be the new normal . . . except when something comes up, then the full weight crashes down for awhile, then we readjust, and keep going. :~) Little by little, it's getting better for us all, I think.

But it is inspiring to read of your fight for a young woman like me. Damn, I want to fight. Damn, I want my babies to grow up in a world free of oppression of the queer.

Why can't I be on my wifes insurance? Why can't I be legally married to her?

We bleed; we cut; we cry; we laugh; we dream; we love just like any heterosexual couple. We just happen to have been born queer.

Not like we had a fucking choice in the matter. We didn't pick to be queer. It picked us.

Raney

Irania - We all work together to make the world a little more hospitable for us all, right? Our existence, our being "out," it all adds a little more to the conversation . . . thanks for coming by!

We'll get there faster the more of us there are working together! B.T.C.

BTC - Amen, and absolutely!

I'm late, but my enthusiasm for your letter is no less ardent. Well said, Owl.

Dr. Steve - You're never late. It's always a pleasure to see your shining face :~).

This is a pretty late post. Sorry to ask, but what exactly is the Safe Bet Project? As I guess you know from some of my own work, I'm obviously on your side of this conflict, not primarily out of consideration for my friends but out of conviction.

kosher - The Safe_Bet Project was started by Safe_Bet's widow, Amy, and the details of it can be found here" The Safe_Bet Project - Str8s For Equality.

Glad you stopped by - one of the advantages to a blog is that it's never too late!

Amen and amen. Now going to other post.

You know it, Gwen. I know you do.

In my UU church today a proud grandmother-to-be announced that her 39 year old lesbian daughter is giving birth to her partner's biological child in April. "This baby is truly a miracle baby!" the grandmother says. I am so happy that she can announce this, and share the joy with the congregation. I have been working for One Iowa raising money, getting out the vote for equality because I have GLBT friends, my daughters have GLBT friends, and relatives that are wonderful people who deserve to be treated well and have official families with all of the rights and responsibilities. We who believe in equality, straight or gay, GLBT etc. have to keep at this. Eventually it will happen. Thank you for your acknowledgement, too.