Change

I wrote a post for today. I even posted it. But then I deleted it.

Today I don’t want to whine about boys, I want to write about what I’ve been doing to change people’s (and my own) minds about the LGBT world.

So you guys might have read Lee’s post a few weeks ago. Basically a guy up here wrote about the whole Chick-Fil-A debacle. I went to the guy and told him that I was gay. He hugged me twice, apologized, and told me he loved me because I was a child of God. Since then we’ve actually become better friends and I’m able to show him that even though I am gay I’m not some crazy person.

Okay I might be a little crazy but the good kind.

Then today “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry came on the dish room iPod. It was even a cover sung by a guy. But a friend of mine went and changed it. I asked him if he didn’t like the song. He told me it would be okay if a guy was singing it.

I went into deep pensive mode. My coworkers knew me well enough to know that something was up and to simply leave me alone. I thought a long time about what I could do.

Part of me thought of the ridiculousness of the situation. I mean we weren't allowed to listen to one song because a girl kisses a girl. In another Katy Perry songs she drinks, skips work, has promiscious sex, and a three-some but we're allowed to listen to that one. We even ignore the part where it cusses and just yell really loud. Dafuq? 

Part of me went to a dark place. A place that contemplated all the things I know I shouldn’t (did I mention I went off the Prozac. If I start to go crazy please kick my butt and tell me to go back on my meds. Anyways…). But then there was Ellen calling me back.  “Things will get easier, people's minds will change, and you should be alive to see it.” I kept that mantra in my head and thought of the ways I could create that change. To help people see that I am first a human and a Child of God. My orientation isn’t even who I am, it’s a part of me. So I’m working and the boy that made the comment and me are alone.

            Me: Hey I got to tell you something. I’m gay. Are you okay with that?

            Him: *A little taken aback* Yea of course.

            Me: You sure?

            Him: Of course. I have other friends that are gay.

And that was it. We went on working. Things didn’t change. He may hate “I Kissed A Girl” and thinks it’s wrong, but he still loves me.

I’m trying to change people’s mind. I am more than my orientation.

I have the ability to love everyone and I think that is awesome.

I hate killing things and will protect that poor little mice that my coworker was trying to catch.

I don’t like people using the words “gay” or “retarded” for things that aren’t gay or retarded.

I love trees and rain.

I like listening to music and it has the ability to affect my mood.

I fall in love easily.

I can scroll on Tumblr for way to long.

I miss my best friend with an ache that affects my daily behavior.

I really like skinny jeans and oversized male button down shirts.

I want to hike Timp.

I want to graduate from college and own a restaurant.

I am a spiritual human being that doesn’t feel the need to resign to a religion.

Those things are me. I am more than my orientation. I am more than just a member of the LGBT community. I know that I am a unique human being that has differing opinions than other people in that community. I am Dupree and hopefully people who love me (or even hate me) based on my actions and NOT my orientation. 

I love you guys. Things will constantly get better. People will change and we will change. We will grow and thrive. Not because we are gay, but because we are human beings who freaking deserve to be happy.