Mike Manning ... (repost)

This is a repost from a blog written several years ago.  It was deleted.

I was getting my political fix this week (like the Iowa debate didn't do it ... right?) and I read up a bit more on Fred Karger (Fred Who? you may ask ... I'll post one on that, later).  One of the people that spoke out for him was Mike Manning.  Now, it has been a long time since I've watched, let alone followed, MTV's Real World.  I guess this guy was on it a year ago.

So, who is Mike Manning and why am I talking about him?  I read a few articles on him.  He seems like a pretty well grounded kid, for 21 years old, and he has come out as bi-sexual.  He said he can be called gay or bi.

And, he is getting some flack from the straight and gay populations.  Funny, isn't it?  People are judging?  Well, we know the straight activists are not going to like him.  But, we see something that I never did understand ... the gay activists are attacking him.  Why?  I am fully sure, but I am guessing it stems from a few different areas: 1) they think he is phobic and not being his true self, 2) it somehow delegitimizes their gayness, or 3) they are just angry at everyone.

I found this interesting and recommend that you read this article.  It also has an interesting few pieces on how he is dealing with his family and his religion.  Mormons may find this interesting and, more importantly, helpful.  I did.

http://metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=4765

Blog Happy (repost)

This is a repost of a blog written a few years ago.  it was deleted ...

Although I have had my blogs for a while, I have recently started reading some blogs.  Well, let me rephrase that:  I have been reading blogs from family and friends for quite a while.  But, I have just started reading *gasp* gay blogs.  Particularly, I have been reading different MoHo blogs.  Now, I had to look up MoHo.

MoHo is defined as:
1) A Mormon Homosexual / Gay Mormon
2) A person of homosexual orientation who has some affiliation (either as a current member or former member) with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ahhh ... I guess that makes sense.  I guess I would be ... am ... a MoHo.

Anyway, I have found that I like some of them and others I find ... boring.  Maybe if I knew the people better, I would enjoy them more.  Or, maybe I would realize why I don't enjoy them.  :-)

I may, over the life of this blog, pull information from one or more of these blogs.  I'll try to share the origination of the blog.

And ... here we go.

Gossip, Gossip, Gossip ... (repost)

This is a repost from a few years ago.  It was deleted.

Well, I got two earfuls of gossip a few weeks ago.  It seems that my sexuality has been the topic of some people's conversations.  Hmmm ....

I guess I was surprised.  Not really because I am not gay.  Not really because I don't act gay.  Because I never really thought that people would sit around and talk about me.  But, I guess some people do.

Evidently, one of my best friends from High School not only thinks that I am gay, he has been telling his whole family that I am. Now, we kept in touch for a few years after HS.  In fact, he was probably the only one that I stayed in touch with after HS.  I went straight to college, then on my mission, then my family moved to Utah.  I really didn't see anyone from High School until the past few years.  But, his family is still in my hometown and in my home ward.  And, know a lot of my family.  So, the fact that he is sharing his thoughts as if they were truth kind of bothered me.  At first.

I spent the weekend with 2 of my cousins a few weeks back.  Our families spent a lot of time together growing up.  They were my closest cousins in age and in location.  We spent a lot of time at their house.  Now, I have close to 50 cousins on this side of the family and I know all of them.  I kept in touch with these guys through college.  In fact I twice roomed with 1 and roomed with 3 of them when we owned a condo together.  And, 1 of them was one of the first people that I told that I was gay.  It was when I first was coming to terms with myself.  It was when I was in one of my darkest places.  I asked that they not tell anyone.  I expected they would share it with their spouse when they got married.  But, I found out that they shared it with some of their family, too.  I guess the lack of trust most surprised me.

Now, truth is ... I am gay.  Truth is ... that I can't change that.  Believe me, I have tried.  So, it isn't the fact that people know that bothers me so much.  I think it is the lack of respect and trust.  The fact that it has to be a "rumor" that is shared with people.  The fact that I thought I trusted someone for all this time.

Maybe it is a good thing that more people know.  And, tomorrow I will feel much better.  But, today, I am feeling a bit sad and betrayed.

Bucknell Soccer player Jesse Klug shares a letter with those who criticize him for being gay ...

Bucknell University Soccer Player (gay) Shares his Thoughts ...

Jesse Klug, a college soccer player for Bucknell University, wrote a letter sharing his thoughts on comments people make about him being gay.  He does a good job at understanding his feelings and articulating them for us.

While I don't agree with a few points, I can especially relate to Jesse's comment about not choosing to be gay.  It seems to be a constant point I hear from people.  None of them would choose to be gay, but they think that others would.  The interesting thing is that they have all kinds of comments about being gay: People choose it, they are deviants, they are bad people, they only care about sex, etc.  But when I ask if they think these things about me, they say, "well that is different.  You're not like them."   It is something that always bothers me and, at times, really annoys me.

Another thing that I can agree on is the use of "retard."  I've always hated it.  I think it is the same reason that Jesse uses.  It is a derogative slur meant to insult and tear someone down.  it is unbecoming of a human being and it is especially un-Christian.


Finally, I agree that someone being gay shouldn't be the defining point of a person.  While we may identify someone as colored, hispanic, athletic, tall, smart, etc., we all know that that is only a small part of the whole.  It is a part of what makes up a person.  A person may be colored, hispanic, athletic, tall, smart, AND gay.  But, really, they are also a person, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a friend.

http://www.outsports.com/2013/10/28/5023456/gay-college-soccer-player-jesse-klug-bucknell-essay-coming-out

Choices, choices, choices ...

There is still a belief among many LDS people (and other Christians), even if it isn't supported by all, that gay people have chosen to be gay.  Well, there are multiple beliefs.  Some say it is a very specific choice; others believe that it is a product of their environment (mommy or daddy issues), and others believe that it isn't a choice at all.

Why someone would chose to be gay, when it brings upon them (even in today's society), seems like a somewhat silly question.  Growing up a member of the LDS Church (Mormon), I realized that I was gay.  I really didn't understand it for a few years, but by age 9 or 10, I knew that I got excited by guys and not by girls.  Maybe because I lived in a rural community and/or maybe because I was born about 40 years ago, it took a few years before I'd even consider it something like being gay (other than just a "phase" or just something weird about me).  I considered it in High School, but didn't really give it much thought.  I was too involved in school activities and sports and scouts and church. Being gay, if that was what it was, didn't really matter.  It is not like I pushed a button and was gay.

It wasn't until my Junior year of High School that I admitted that I was attracted to guys.  It was partially then (although it was admitted quietly to myself) and a few years later at college, that I admitted that being gay was not a bad thing.  Remember that I was a member of the LDS Church at this time.  I was also living in rural Washington State.  Admitting to myself was big enough, but realizing what it meant among my friends and for my family and religion was quite another thing.  It meant that either I was evil, bad, a mistake, or ... what.  I chose "what".

I knew I wasn't bad.  I'd been good most of my life.  So, during my Junior year and my first year at the University, I decided that I was who I was.  I knew it wasn't a choice for me.  I knew that accepting this would mean I was admitting that I didn't know everything and, just possibly, my religion of choice didn't know everything either.  That was a pretty good admission, especially because I'd leave that year to go on a 2 year mission for my Church.

All in all, I know that I did not choose to be gay.  I also know that it wasn't because I was too close with my Mom or too distant from my Father.  I can't explain it.  I feel I don't need to.  Can you explain why you are straight or gay?  Do you need to explain it?  Think about that the next time you ask someone why they are gay.

The Mississippi Squirrel Revival

It must be spring ... because not only does the grass need to be mowed, it was a nice enough day to be out mowing it!

I pulled out the Black and Decker electric mower to start my first mowing of the day.  I had my iPod ready and started through a very diverse string of music.  About half way through the back yard, I heard a good old song that I haven't heard in years:  Ray Stevens' "The Mississippi Squirrel Revival."

If you haven't heard it, it is worth a listen.  Quirky Ray Stevens is the author of more serious songs like "Everything is Beautiful" and "Misty".  But, he has also penned the greats, "The Streak", "Ahab the Arab", "It's Me Again, Margaret", and "Gitarzan".

It's worth the listen because it tells the story of how a young boy catches a squirrel, takes him to church, and then allows him to get out of the box.  The sleepy little town's church is turned upside down as the squirrel wrecks havoc on the parishioners.

He moves from Harv Newman, who falls to his knees pleading for mercy, to Bertha "Better Than You" in the Amen Pew, who began to confess to things that would make a sailor blush!

In the end, the narrow-minded church goers seemed to find God again and were re-baptized on the spot!

How many of us need a wiggling, jiggling in our jockey's to get us to decide that we are okay with something?  I don't know if I'd like a squirrel messing around with my junk, but I often have to stop and think about how something affects me AND others.  How I can learn a lesson from something that seems insignificant.  And, how I need to place myself in the shoes of someone else, especially if I'm sitting in the "Amen Pew" of the "First Self-Righteous Church?"



After you've listened to this song, I suggest you go to a few of the others.  They are corny (oh, man, are they corny!), but they are fun and light hearted.

Ray Stevens' Mississippi Squirrel Revival Video (YouTube) 

Lyrics: The Mississippi Squirrel Revival by Ray Stevens
Well when I was a kid I would take a trip
Every Summer down to "Mississipp," to visitMy Granny and 'er "Auntie Belluam World."I'd run barefooted all-day long, climbing Trees free as a song; One day I happened To catch myself a squirrel. Well I stuffed him down In an old shoe box, and punched a couple Holes in the top; When Sunday came I snuck em' In the Church. I sittin' way back on the veryLast pew showin em' to my good buddy Hugh, When that squirrel got loose and went totallyBuzzerk.Well what happened next is hard to tell; Some thought it was Heaven others thoughtIt was Hell, but the fact that something was Among was plain to see.As the choir sang " I Surrender All", the Squirrel ran up Harv Newman's coveralls, and Harv leaped to his feet and said something's got A hold on me yeeeooow! CHORUSThe day the squirrel went buzzerk in the First Self-Righteous Church in that sleepy little Town of Pascagoula. It was a fight for survival That broke out in revival. They were jumpin' pewsAnd shoutin' "Hallelujah".VERSE 2Well Harv hit the aisles dancin' and screamin'.Some thought he had Religion others thoughtHe had a demon, and Harv thought he had a Weed-eater loose in his fruit-of-the-looms.He fell to his knees to plead and beg, and the Squirrel ran out of his britchy-leg; unobserved To the otherside of the room.All the way down to the AMEN pew, where sat "Sister Bertha Better-than-You", who had been Watching all of the commotion with sufistic glee.But shoot, you should have seen the look in her eyes When that squirrel jumped her garders and crossed her Thighs. And she jumped to her feet and said, "Lord have mercy on me!"As the squirrel made laps inside her dress, She began to cry and then to confessTo sins that would make a sailor blush with shame.
She told of gossip and church disention, But the thing that got the most attentionIs when she talked about her love lifeThen she started naming names! 
The day the squirrel went berserk.In the First Self-Righteous ChurchOf that sleepy little town of Pascagoula.It was a fight for survival, That broke out in revival.They were jumpin pews and shouting Halelujah! 
Well seven deacons and the pastor got savedAnd 25, 000 dollars got raised.And 50 volunteered for missions in the CongoOn the spot.And even without and invitaionThere were at least 500 rededications.And we ALL got rebaptised whether we needed it or not.
Well you've heard the Bible stories I guessOf how he parted the waters for Moses to pass.All th miracles God has brought to this l' world.But the one I'll remember to my dyin dayIs how he put that church back on the narrow wayWith a half crazed Mississippi Squirrel
The day the squirrel went berserk.In the First Self-Righteous ChurchOf that sleepy little town of Pascagoula.It was a fight for survival, That broke out in revival.They were jumpin pews and shouting Halelujah!

That's What I Am ...

That's What I Am

I watched a new movie this week entitled: That's What I Am.  It is a smaller budget, independent movie set in the mid-1960's.  It follows 12 year-old Andy Nichol (played by Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers.  

                                   


Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (played by Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley Minor (played by Alexander Walters), aka "Big G" (for his ginger colored hair), on a critical term project.  Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school.  Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mr. Simon's madness as to why he teamed these two up.

As the story unfolds, Mr. Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner (played by Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate whom he thinks has "cooties."  When Andy watches "Big G" fearlessly confront the school bully, a series of events are triggered which change the lives of both young men - and their teacher - forever.  Much to Andy's surprise, "Big G" is a brilliant, kind, tolerant, and decent human being who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered.

The title is applied to Andy (he is a writer, that's what he is), Stanley (he is a singer, that's what he is), and Mr. Simon (he is a teacher, that's what he is).  Each of them must come to terms with that and be willing to take on anyone who will challenge the assertion.

There is a more-than slight discussion of Mr. Simon being a Homosexual, but it ends up being a much minor plot of the story.

I like that fact as often we search for how we should be labeled.  Is Andy just a kid, a lost boy, a kid learning about love (and kissing for the first time)?  Yes, but he labels himself as a writer.  Stanley, the cipher, who is known for his odd looks and weirdness, even above his brilliance, wants to be known as a singer.  Mr. Simon is labeled a homosexual by some, a favorite teacher by all, a friend by many, and yet wants to be known for his teaching.

I am a Mormon.  It is a part of me.  I'm a strong consultant, with an analytical mind at work.  My friends call me loyal and loving.  Each of these are parts of who I am.  I'm gay, as well.  But, these all play minor roles in my life.  Who I am, and who we all are, becomes much more than small parts of us, it is more the sum of the whole.  And, each of us can decide on who we want to be.  Friend, lover, father, daughter, gay, Muslim, Hispanic ... But, in the end we are all of the above.  That's what we are!

Grade: B+
Great film that tells a good story.  The movie had great parts, but fell slightly because of the lower budget and a few overly dramatic parts.  Definitely worth the watch.  You'll fall in love with all of the main characters.