Sometimes it's Not a laughing Matter...

Did you ever ask your parents where they were the day Kennedy was shot? I did. It was for a school project in the 3rd grade. I remember it. Not where they were. I remember being amazed as a 10 year old that my dad couldn't remember the number code that unlocked his new car, but he could remember vividly where he was that day, as could my mom. Because even though it had happened decades ago, it was a brief moment in history that changed their lives. 9/11 for me, as I'm sure it was for you... was that moment.

I remember being a college freshman, walking from one of my first classes into the student center, and seeing 5 people huddled around the tv in the corner. That was at 8:50 am east coast time, only 4 minutes after the first plane had struck. Within 20 minutes, our little group of 6 had become over 100. I was in shock and simply watched on live tv around all my new friends as the 2nd tower was hit just after 9am. Then came news that a plane had crashed near Pittsburgh, not far from our college campus.

It took almost an entire day to get a cell phone connection to my parents to tell them I was alright. My friend next door in the dorm was not as lucky. He lost a father that day. I lost a vision of a world that I could embrace.

You're probably wondering why I'm writing this 9 days before the 9th anniversary. It's because in following the 2010 campaign news, I came across a certain individual who needs her 15 minutes of fame, and not in a good way.

"Homosexuals are a bigger threat than terrorism." I didn't say it. Sally Kearns did. The Oklahoma State representative. A state that is just a short day's drive from a state that legalized gay marriage. What doesn't upset me is that she was elected. What upsets me is that she is predicted to win the re-election

Insert comedic relief here courtesy of Ellen Degeneres:



But all joking aside... This is still the world we know. So you know what Sally... you're right. I killed thousands that day by deploying a gay bomb at the Twin Towers. I put a gay bomb in my shoe on a flight. I caused a gay explosion on an aircraft carrier. It was my crying, screaming and sobbing gay tears on September 11th, 2001, when I was an 18 year old boy, that led to this 7 year war.

I'm starting to finally understand why I would be denied the rights to visit my sick or even dying life partner in the hospital. Cause I'd probably just go and blow up the building.

When terrorism or other bad things happen, we don't embrace just a dad, or just a mom. We embrace a family. We hope that those phone calls get out to those we love, whether its a mom and dad, or two dads, or two moms, or even a single parent. We hope that those calls go through so we can tell the person on the other end how much we love them. And if we are on a doomed flight, we tell them how much we will miss them. So even if your beliefs don't consider the other side to be allowed to love, try going a day wondering if your loved ones are dead or alive. The true terrorism is not bombs or explosions. It's about being able to tell your loved one the last thing they need to hear.

I want to say a special thank you to all of my heterosexual friends and family that read this. It's truly amazing to have your support. And to them I dedicate this line:

"the true value of a man is how much he helps the man.... who can do him no good."

And oh yeah: Don't vote for Sally.