My Story of the Personal Shift in Beliefs on Marriage and Gays

I grew up being taught that acting upon homosexual thoughts is wrong and immoral and that marriage is between a man and a woman. I did not understand gay people at that time and I did not know any. I actually believed they were rare and that there were very few of them. I only saw gays occasionally on a movie or T.V. show and I have to admit I believe they are often poorly misrepresented. I only remember one such occasion in high school when I felt that a guy was "checking me out" and I will be honest I felt very uncomfortable and I had no idea what to do. He was probably around my age but even today I can not confirm my suspicions - and of course it does not matter at this point.

After breaking away on my own and discovering my true feelings my whole outlook started to change, but I still did not care so much about gay rights and issues. Now, I think it had a lot to do with me desiring to be on the same page as some of my family and friends.

This is from the original blog I wrote on May 30, 2011:

Being gay is not a big deal nor do I even understand what the hype is all about.

It's okay to be gay.

As I venture to meet new gay people I have realized that some of them are very passionate about gay rights. While I think it is good to stand up for something, I also think that people get offended too easily and create a big deal out of nothing.

Let's take gay marriage for example. I really could care less if the government recognizes my marriage or not. If I want to get married then I will whether or not it is recorded in their books. I will do whatever I wish and think whatever I wish and I give them the opportunity to do the same. Marriage really is a spiritual thing as well as a commitment thing and so if you are gay and living somewhere where it is not legal, then have your own ceremony and move on. You may not get the same tax rights or whatever, but does it really matter? Not really... Tax cuts, money, politics, organization, policies don't really matter when it comes to being a happy person.

Happiness is all about doing and saying what you please as long as you don't take anyone the rights away from another.

It is okay to petition as that is your right and I want you to do what you feel is right. My only recommendation is that when you do anything: do it with the spirit of happiness and goodwill. Love will always prevail and more will be accomplished when you create positive rather then negative energy.

Remember, keep things simple cause life is good.

That was then...This is how I feel now:

The government has no right to define marriage. Gay couples who want to be married should be allowed to and receive all the benefits that marriage entails.

I believe in standing up for yourself and others so stand up today! A lot of people state that they "really don't care either way". I have little respect for those people because if you know two people who are in love why would you deny them their rights as a citizen of the United States of America? If every person in this country does not have the option to marry the person they love then no one should be given the option.

Equality for all is my new stand. Gay marriage is a Constitutional Right.