Bigotry is WAY deeper than race.

If you don't know me - I am a single white male living in America with all the white privilege that goes with such a thing.  I don't get followed when I go into any store and if I got pulled over by the cops - for any reason - I would likely survive the incident.  Arrested?  Yikes!  But I'd likely get a light sentence and might even get my case dismissed with the right attorney. Yet I am a person that very often speaks out on racism, hatred, and bigotry.  Why? Well there is a simple answer and a much bigger one.  The simple one first:

Everyone should!

Pretty easy - right?  But the larger answer lies in who I am as a person of God's creation. And that person is a homosexual.  Weather you realize it or not - homosexuals are among the most hated groups of people not just in America but world wide.  Even in racial or economic minorities who have fought for centuries for equality - the homosexuals within their own populations are chastised as less than human.  Equality does not come easy even for those who seek it themselves.

Human bias against homosexuality is written into almost every "holy" document such as the bible.  Keep in mind those documents were written by humans not God.  And I would dare add they were written by human males who fear homosexuality.  Legend has it that homosexuals harbor the uncanny ability to convert innocent men to their evil ways.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Sexuality is complicated and diverse in all the splendor of God's creation.  But if you are not a homosexual - for real - you know there is no way you could be swayed. Just as I know I could not be swayed no matter how much prayer, therapy, or intimidation to be heterosexual.  In reality - homosexuality and all the variations of sexuality - are as natural as the air we breath.  We are who we are and that can't be changed.  It's not a choice no matter what someone who isn't thinks.  I wrote about that before here and why keeping that notion of choice alive is vitally important to bigots.

There is absolutely no way you could know I am a homosexual from just looking at me (that's a joke).  But through no fault or choice of my own - I am this person.  Thankfully, I live in a city that is very gay friendly - by choice.  But many people do not - or cannot - move somewhere they can feel safe(er).  Many countries in the world (and I'd dare say places in the USA) could legally kill you for being a homosexual.  THAT is how hated we are.  No questions asked - just dead.

And so - for all of my white privilege - I remain a despised person from the eyes of many.  And it is from that place of bigotry where I find strength to speak up for others who deal with hatred, racism and bigotry in America and all over the world.  My only hope for this Gay Pride month is that people might read this - and MANY other writings from those of us who are - and think deeply about their own hatred and bigotry.  Especially those who have fought for centuries for their own equality because of the color of their skin or where they were born or even their economic status. Bigotry goes beyond just that.

Racism - Bigotry - Hatred.  Unfortunately it is human nature in many cases.  But we can get past it if we can look beyond our own personal situation and understand others who are not like us. Try it!

Happy Gay Pride Month!