Stupid Boi asks: "Does it really get better?"

On the eve of the Out of the Darkness walk here in Bloomington; I want to talk a little bit about suicide and bulling. 

Our children our killing themselves, because we as adults cannot understand how to live harmoniously.  In turn we teach our children to hate and spew this hate. Hate is a learned event!  This isn't something new!  If this was just a recent event, there wouldn't have to be organizations like the Trevor Project.  We need to remember that when we as adults hear children spewing this hate, it is our obligation to stop it. 

I take no issue correcting a child about hate speech!  I don't care if it changes their mind or even the parent's; I know that when I do, another child who feels helpless may find hope in that action. 

I want to also take a moment to talk about "It Gets Better".  I love this idea of spreading a message of hope.  That one day it will get better.  I have found so many friends and "family" that make my life complete.  However, yes there is a however, I had a friend in Iowa who committed suicide not because of childhood bulling; but because of the bulling he felt from his own community!

Brothers, we are bulling ourselves!  That dirty look you give in the bar because someone doesn't meet your standards of beauty or when someone says "hello" and you ignore their politeness.  That too is Bulling!  Not everyone in this world is attractive to everyone else, but I think it is important to know that there is a moment that someone could just be polite.  

I learned early that "Reading is fundamental"!  While I get that most of the time is should be in good fun, some of us take it too far.  Sometimes you just don't know where someone is in life.  Take a moment to get to know the person sitting next to you at the bar. Make a statement by making your group of friends the most accepting.

We are bullied by our own image of perfection. There are so many people in our community that are so interesting!  The other day, I meet someone who is much older than myself and learned that he used to be a dancer in Vegas and Europe.  We had so much in common (Musical Theatre love).  Had I allowed myself to be the person who I want to be, the bully; I would have never meet such an interesting person.

I urge you to take a stand against bulling, invite someone new to your table, you don't know what they may bring.  It is so important that we show these children that it Truly Gets Better!

Stupid Boi wants a Little Respect!

Yes, I am going to talk about Ricky Martin! I just want to say…Thank you! Thank you for being a brave person! Thank you for showing the world that you cannot hold us down any longer. To the rest of you who have come out…THANK YOU!

Coming out is a process that is lifelong. Actually having to admit to the world that you are a part of one of the most…if I may…Fabulous groups on earth; is difficult. All joking aside, coming out is very difficult. I am blessed with a family who is open minded. Others may not be so lucky.

Before you start with the whole…”who didn’t know he was gay?” bit, think about it. Did you have to come out? If you didn’t then how would you understand? The only choice we have in the matter is to be open or closeted. We didn’t choose to be gay!
So all I am asking is for you to respect people when they do come out. It is one of the most difficult things to do.

What's Your Coming out Story?

Stupid Boi's broken record!

Okay…so…yeah! I have attached this video from YouTube. This little gay-ling is too cute and tiny. You just wanna put him in your pocket! His name is Joseph Birdsong, he is one of the 5 Awesome Gays. He also does this music…I am not sure how to feel about it. Is this song about me, Joseph?  This song has been stuck in my head, and I have been singing it for days. It was in one of my dreams! Let me know is this song creepy or cool?

XOXO

Stupid Boi

A Note about Equality from Stupid Boi

Today, March 4th is the day that U.S. Congress Officially met putting the United States Constitution into effect. It states:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

This created the United States of America, a sovereign nation, founded on the principles of Liberty and Justice for all. From very early beginnings, we lost sight of that goal. The American People have answered the call many times. We have been called to war, we have been called to over-turn hateful legislation, and we have been called one of the greatest countries in the World. In each incident, we have answered the call.

Now, I know that many of these issues have two sides. I cannot say that we have always been right, but we have always protected the “American Way” The “American Way” of freedom and achievement. We must stand together today!

To this day there are still Americans who are not fully accepted as a part of this country. Even if you disagree with Equality for GLBT People, you must understand that this is about America! The idea of America, about allowing freedom.

Fellow Americans, In order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, and insure domestic tranquility; we must have equality! This simple idea should not be this difficult. It is the idea of all of our ancestors. For most of us those “Forefathers” came to a nation seeking freedom and equality.

So Today, I ask you, fight for Equality; don’t do it for the GLBT People, Do it for America!


XOXO,
Stupid Boi

Stupid Boi and Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals

I just came back from the traveling exhibit “Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945”. This was at the Indiana Memorial Union on IU’s campus. It consists of some panels that discuss the persecution of the Male homosexual. Lesbians we often safe because of the place of Germen women in society and the fact that they could still bare children. This was very eye opening! If we as modern gay men could only imagine what it was like to treated like common criminals. Rounded up, and forced to wear our sexuality on our sleeves. Not only to be forced into camps with other prisoner but to be at the bottom of that prison system.

As for the Alternative, forced to remain hidden within our own lives, no community, no pride, no gay bars. I have heard many people compare the struggle of the gay American to that of other minority groups. I agree and disagree with those statements. While there are some similarities, GLBT people in the US have never endured the type of torture that our German brothers have. We were never forced to live in squalor in the fear that everyday could be the day we die.

I know this post isn’t going to be popular, but I have to say, I am grateful for all of the things I have. I may not have all the rights to marriage, and may be treated like a second class citizen; I don’t fear death everyday! I don’t have to feel like I have to make sure that I am dressed a certain way, or act a certain way just so that the SS troops won’t pick me up. I am not forced to leave my home, my country, my family, to endure the physical, mental, and sexual torture that these men and women endured.

The one thing that I learned today is that the Nazi’s didn’t actually make up any laws to carry out this unprecedented act of violence against Homosexuals. Paragraph (§) 175 was actually enacted in the late 20’s and was not repealed until the 90’s. This is a far cry from what we view Germany as today.
I am really glad that I saw this exhibit. It moved me to learn more not only about my racial/ethnic heritage but my sexual one as well.

If you want more information about the exhibit check out www.ushmm.org.

Stupid Boi's First Week in Bloomington, Indiana

Well this has been a week. I have moved to Bloomington, and apparently the world is coming to an end. I am currently borrowing internet from various locations. I have to set up my internet connection for my apartment. Until then I will post from various locations.

I want to talk about a couple of things in this post. First off, I have only 4 channels. All of which is PBS. I have the IU version of PBS, then PBS Create, PBS World and V (A Spanish channel). This has given me a new found appreciation for Public Broadcasting; if you have never watch check it out. (Sesame Street comes on at like 8 ish)

This city is full of one way streets. I have to drive down one street passed my apartment then turn and then turn again to get home. This is a hassle. I start work on Monday at 7:30 am, which is the day of my orientation. I have only met a few people that I will be working with. I love the idea of my new job and so I know that I will love the position.

So on to more important world events. Let me take a moment to talk about Haiti. What a tragedy. I hope that the world powers do what they are planning to do. I have to applaud President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for their prompt response. It is my belief that to be a “World Power”, we must also be benevolent to those in need.

Since I only have limited access to the media, I have not had much exposure. I did watch Charlie Rose this evening on PBS World. He really did a great job putting things in perspective for me. Anderson Cooper was reporting from Haiti and talked about the devastation and how difficult it was to get supplies to those who need it. Rose also had a member of “Doctor’s Without Borders” and “Unicef”, both of which had stated that they had been in Haiti for a while providing services prior to the earthquake.

They both made some great points. Both of the organization’s buildings and facilities have been destroyed. The one thing that really stuck out for me was the lady from Unicef said that it is important to make sure that they have the funding to protect the children who are lost or orphaned by the earthquake. People will take advantage of this and “traffic” these children into slavery or sex trade. If you have the resources please help these people. The most important things we can do is offer them unrestricted funds to care for whatever they need.

On to something closer to home… Apparently on January 13, 2010 “The Observer” a newspaper from the University of Notre Dame ran a cartoon that was incredibly offensive. The language was something along the lines of “How do you turn a fruit into a vegetable? A Baseball Bat.” Hello! I know ND’s stance on GLBTQ issues but that went toooooooooooooooo Far. Tonight a friend called me to tell me that apparently the original punch-line was “AIDS”. I don’t know how accurate that is…BUT FOR REAL? So much for HIGHER EDUCATION. I cannot believe as a Gay man that this is still going on. Calling for Violence against the GLBTQ community is so un-Catholic. I feel like I left South Bend and not even a week later ND acted a hot mess. Don’t make me come up there!

Other then that life is wonderful. I hope you all have a great weekend…I am gonna try! New City, same old Stupid Boi….let’s see what happens!

XOXO,
Stupid Boi