Why 6/26/15 Matters To Me

I woke up his morning wishing my two brother-in-laws a Happy Birthday.  Which is cool, easy to remember it.   Besides working today, I really didn't have anything else on my mind.

But that all changed around 9:05am central time when I got a breaking news alert from Aasociated Press that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) made a landmark decision legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states.

For those who don't know me well, this decision has a positive personal impact on my life. This decision affects what I can do in my future. 

Yes I am gay.

Many that know me  have known for the last 15 years or so since I started sharing this personal thing.  The first person I shared was my best friend who quickly showed me that acceptance from others would be a positive thing.

I was scared to tell my parents, but their love shined brightly that it lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders.  With the help of their friend Santiago, who worked with them at Disney World, it made my personal life a lot easier.  Today, I am closer to my parents and can be honest and have a great dialogue.  I still remember what my dad said to me when I told him.  He told me that I have a life worth sharing with someone, and it didn't matter who it was with, he was worried that I would be alone in my life.  Today's decision plays a big role in his wish.

I have been closely watching the process to the results today.  Part of me was not surprised, but more relieved with the decision.  I honestly thought that the court would take a safe route by leaving it up to the states to decide but require all 50 states to honor those who do get married.  Instead, they made a sweeping change.

Back in my high school and college days, it was not easy to come out, but society is changing its course in the right direction.  Part of me wishes I could go back in that time, but all I can do is look forward.

Watching, listening, and reading stories of people sharing their coming out story and the positive feedback is refreshing and I think it helps that person as an individual, will thrive in life and be a great citizen in this country.  Not end their life thinking they are a nobody and there is no positive outlook for them.  I personally hope that today's decision helps those struggling realize they live in a country that is not treating them like a second class citizen and they can go out now and live their dreams.

Yes, some disagree with the opinion for various reasons from morale to religious reasons and I respect and understand their decision.  I am a Christian and I feel that God made me this way.  This is my personal feeling and not looking for a debate on it.  It was one of the big reasons why I denied it until I was 30.  Going to a Lutheran grade school and high school had an impact on me in this area.  But, I did a lot of research, study, and reading on various opinions of what it says in the bible.  In the end, my conscience said this is who I am.  Many say that your conscience is God talking to you.  I believe that and I feel that I will still be welcomed into Heaven when my time is done here.

Some will hear that there could be a push for congressional amendment to clarify marriage.  I think society will resist this and will never come to fruition. Why? Because the generation is changing in support of people like me. 

Check out this Gallup poll in this story showing how momentum has swung from 1996 to 2015. Check out the political parties in this survey.(http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-america/newsdesk/gay-marriage-polling-shows-american-support-across-demographic-groups-20150527)

People's view of this is also changing. Heck, our President changed his mind from what he first said in 2008.  Many on both sides of the aisle are also changing their opinion, especially when they find out their one of their own children or a relative(s) are gay/lesbian.  

Why are people's mind changing? Mostly it is because they are knowing someone who is gay or lesbian. They are understanding the human aspect of that person.  This is who they are.  They are not the stereotype that people perceive when they think of a person.  When someone personally knows someone who is, many times they will look at things in a different way.

If you are one of those people...well hi...you know me.

There are bigger issues we need to face today and continuing to argue about this topic is not worth the time.  We all have our own ways of finding happiness legally.  

Today, I am an equal to everyone else in marriage.  I will continue to be who I am, but have a new goal in life.  Settle down and marry someone.  A goal that I thought I would never have in my lifetime.  

Finally, the biggest thing I have learned since I came out...my true friends don't judge me on this part of my life.   They are truly friends, and I am overwhelmed with how many I have in my life.  

We are someone.