Let's fire some gays! — Page 3

Bobby - enough to go to prison? I'm not trying to put you on the spot, but that is what's at stake here - being willing to 'just say no' and stick with it.

I was thinking of that, D.

The only way I'd be willing to do it is if every self-identified gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered individual was willing to do it as well.

It needs to be a massive disruption. Not just some schmuck who's going to rot in prison.

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That article makes me want to... I can't even type it, for my own protection. Why the hell would they do that?! WHY would anyone want to screw a group of people over like that for no reason other than what's in their DNA? How can they? It's complete and total discrimination and a horrible case of homophobia. And they call us a free country. There is no way they should be able to do that. I'm moving to Canada.

Why Oprah?

Because Oprah is the one that really runs this country. Anyone who doesn't realize that by now has been asleep for the past decade.

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"I watched the bombing. I watched the worldwide reaction. I am now watching the terrorism increase"

See what violence breeds? More violence.

You know what peace breeds? More peace.

Oprah...cause she's got a VERY large audience...it'd get the needed word out.

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That is a good idea. Get it on Oprah and she'll make people empathize and listen. Is there a way someone could suggest it? A public email address to the producers of her show?

"I understand that people are tired of fighting, but...the trick to any political movement is perspective. As short ago as 10 years, less than 10% of Americans believed in gay marriage. Now, we're up to almost half. I'd call that rapid change...especially when compared to other movements."

Except that the movement actually began at Stonewall 35 years ago. The point is, we're at almost half and that can quickly slide back down to less than 10% if those in power (the over-50% population) who can change policy demonstrate to the public that we do not have to be accepted, tolerated, or treated as US citizens. When they openly condone and encourage acts of bigotry. These are educated individuals who have chosen a path of prejudism and hatred. Unlike us, it is not genetic. It is their choice. And they are the ones who are influencing these policies to overturn our rights and protections. How far does it have to go before we really let loose?

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So in a sense, you could say the Mayor of San Francisco "Sat on his proverbial bus seat" when he issued marriage certificates that were later invalidated?

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from a war mongering imperialist yankee.

i know nobody's really said it yet, but there's an underpinning that runs through some of posts which i thought i might speak about. something to keep in mind is the fact that the when people sit down and start to plan violence in a civil society where people have the recourse of the courts and the legal system that it almost always backfires on whatever group chooses that path. i mean recent american history alone should prove that: sds, the weathermen, faln. once they chose violence, their violence became the story, not their issue. eventually they are remembered not for why they fought, but for what they did.

i just think that while violence can be the answer when changing a stalinist regime, it's not the answer when trying to achieve rights within a democracy. not when there are other avenues available. especially when the group in question is already a fractured minority

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Thank you, papa.

So here's what I wrote to Oprah:

Dear Ms. Winfrey:

My name is Rob Maitner. I’m a 30-year-old struggling actor living in New York City (Queens, to be exact). I’m writing not to ask for a job or even to ask for a chance to pimp my talent on your show. No, I’m writing because I’m thinking about not paying my taxes this year. No. I’m not Amish. I’m gay. Quite honestly, I’m a little sick and tired of being treated like a second-class citizen. Did you know that in 36 states it is legal to be fired for being gay? I’m sure you are aware that, when I die, my partner, the beautiful and talented David *******, will not be eligible to my Social Security benefits. And, of course, the current administration is pushing for discrimination to be written our Constitution.

Since I’m not a full citizen of the United States and do not receive equal protection under the law, I’m wondering why I pay taxes. And I’m not the only one. Several friends of mine feel the same way. Why finance a government in which we cannot fully participate? So we’re trying to get the word out that gay and lesbian Americans should not pay taxes this year. We’d love to find a rather large soapbox from which to get our message out, and, let’s face it, your show is it.

If you would like to discuss this issue further, please feel free to email me at ***********.

Best regards and I’ve loved your show for years,

Rob Maitner

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