Turning a gay teen straight ... on "Good Morning America"- Page 6

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 2:39pm

Oh, don't get me wrong--I am extremely proud of who I am. I love being gay. I love myself (and we all should!)

I merely answer the question "Why choose to be gay?" from the pov OF the teen me, who when coming out had to deal with the fears of the world for being gay. At that point, why would it have been a choice? What would have inspired a kid who did not know necessarily the good of being gay?

I remember being attracted to guys back at the age of 4 or 5 (in that way little kids do). My first crush was on John Schneider at the age of 5. What would have put the choice to like him before me? When was it a choice?

People who think it's a choice to be gay are just extremely ignorant. Did they choose to be straight? No, they just always were. Did I choose to come out? Sure. But, amen that I did. And God loves me for who and even WHAT I am.

And I REFUSE to allow homophobes like adamaddict and lostleander to tell me otherwise. It's bigotry covered up by religious conviction and it's BS. People thumped Bibles against Blacks in the 60s and they are doing it all over again against gays--because some people are too afraid to look within themselves to solve their problems in the world. No--surely the blame and root causes are external.

Updated On: 7/30/05 at 02:39 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 3:53pm

TVBoy says: "I like to stick to issues, but unfortunately, some can only debate by resorting to personal attacks. That's not my style. (I'm sure you know, oftentimes when someone cannot back up a statement or doesn't want to answer a question, they offer up a childish personal attack, which is quite obvious to any reader.)"

Calling someone "childish" is also a personal attack. No?

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 7:14pm

JRB--I absolutely see your point. I was thinking as a gay adult about how other gay adults who have happy fulfilled lives might answer the question, "Would you choose to be gay?" But yes, most teens who are struggling with the issues of sexuality would probably choose the easier route, especially given the cruelty of many teens towards people who are different. It is my hope that as gay people achieve the rights that straight people take for granted (two of the biggest being to marry and to serve openly in the miliary, should they be so inclined), they will see bright futures ahead of them and not have to struggle as much as most of us have had to do. And JRB, you are one of the examples that gay youth can point to with pride and hope. You're happy, you're doing what you want with your life, and you're an actor who doesn't feel the need to hide who he is. My highest compliments to you!
Updated On: 7/30/05 at 07:14 PM

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 7:19pm

This is a response to Lostleander, a truly lost soul if there ever was one. Why, in the name of the God you love, do you seek therapy from those who would use a few quotes from the Bible to deny who you are and the person you were made to be? Instead of that, why are you not seeking help from people of faith who have maintained a strong faith while not attempting to change their God given nature? I would suggest that you visit the Reverend Mel White's website
http://soulforce.org/
for help that will not destroy you but allow you to live a full and happy life.
Soul Force

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 11:29pm

Thank you much, eslgr8!

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:13pm

Please Don't Shout the Words "Elizabeth Vargas" in a Gay Bar

[Elphaba]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 5:25pm

that woman needs a babushka and a hoe!

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 5:42pm

LMAO. I have a new sig quote.