Western society claims to be tolerant, we claim that freedom is our greatest asset.  Our entire society is built on the very basis of "live and let live".  Yet, every day - someone is told that they are immoral, indecent, or perverted - just because they aren't attracted to members of the opposite sex.

•   Religious scholars have told us for years now, that homosexuality isn't even mentioned in the bible.   Yet TV Evangelists, heads of church and other parishioners insist that it is an abomination.  Let us examine these issues (and others) in hopes of shedding some much needed light on the reality of what it means to be one of "them".

•   The countries we live in, were built and fought for with the blood, sweat, and tears of millions of straight and gay people who believed that we should all be able to live in a society which is free of persecution, for their beliefs.  Yet every day: Gays, Lesbians, Bi-sexual, and Trans-Gendered people are forced to remain silent and un-equal.  Gays have the right to vote, but they don't have the right to enjoy the same benefits that every other voter considers their "Rights of Citizenship".   When a man and woman are married (be it through common-law, or by vow) they are given many benefits.  From cheaper insurance premiums, to tax breaks, and even a monthly allowance once they have children.
    However, when a gay couple choose to settle down and raise a family, they find themselves forced to make a life for themselves and their children without any of the same benefits.  Thus adding to the difficulty of being gay even more.  Not only does "being gay" pose social and emotional costs, but financial costs as well, which are un-equal to the costs of a heterosexual lifestyle.

•   When someone hears the name "Mathew Shepard" do they think about a dirty young man with limp wrists and an overindulgent sex drive?  Or, do they think of a disgraceful act of intolerance and violence which needlessly ended a precious life?

•   Being GAY is NOT a CHOICE!  No-one wakes up in the morning and decides to be gay.  It is NOT a trendy continuation of the YUPPY lifestyle.
  Why would anyone choose to risk a fate like that of Mathew Shepard?  Why would an individual "Decide" to live out his/her life as a member of society who is viewed as sinful and disease ridden?
  Of this you can be sure, homosexuality is NOT a CHOICE.

• SEX?  What about it?  Believe it or not, being gay has very little to do with the act of sex.  If it did, it wouldn't have been an issue in the first place.   Even today, many cultures consider the sharing of sexual release between men to be a healthy alternative to pre-marital pregnancy. (Thus the term: Greek Sex)
    Being gay means that a person is attracted (physical AND emotional ) to people of the same sex.  A gay person does NOT have a more perverse need for sex.  Gays simply require the emotional, intellectual, and intimate companionship of a same-sex partner.

• In Native American culture, gays are referred to as, "Two Spirited".  And as such, are looked up to as gifted and sacred.  Often becoming powerful Medicine Men or Shaman.

•   There was a time in North America, when being left handed was considered to be wrong.  To be left handed meant there was something un-natural about you.  Millions of people were forced to be right handed, in-spite of how the way nature (or god) had made them.  Later, it was discovered that forcing the conversion of a left handed person to right handed, could cause serious learning deficiencies, and even crippling low self-esteem.
    How then, could the same (or grossly worse) attitude toward gays be any less damaging, or crippling.

•   30% of all teen suicides are committed by Gay Boys and Girls.  When you consider that only 10% of the population is gay, that places them at 3 times greater risk over heterosexual teens.