Hope Rides Alone

 This is what happens when you listen to this: http://www.npr.org/2010/11/14/131312723/out-of-the-closet-in-the-pulpit-of-a-megachurch
And then listen to this: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131144212&ps=cprs

Part of me is still crying my eyes out about the Gay Bishop Man (and how I want to hook him up with my dad and what an awesome movie that would make) and part of me is giggling over Quidditch being popular in America and them trying to make it a recognized sport. In the books it never really caught on in America! Suck it, stereotypes! *dances a happy dance*

I'm so confused!

Today I drew purple triangles on my hands, because it wasn't until I got to school that my friends told me what day it was. They knew mostly because of Facebook. I haven't got a Facebook, so I didn't show up wearing purple. There's purple on my shoelaces ... kinda ... *sighs*

For those of you who, like me, didn't know, today was Spirit Day. A Canadian teenager named Brittany McMillan started this via the internet. People - especially students and teachers - were supposed to wear purple today to honor the recent suicides of seven teenagers who were the victims of homophobia. The most publicized was Tyler Clementi, a college freshman whose roommate filmed him having sex with another man and broadcast the footage over the internet. Tyler jumped off the George Washington Bridge three days later.

The U.S. Secretary of Education issued a statement earlier this month. Here's a bit of it:
This is a moment where every one of us — parents, teachers, students, elected officials, and all people of conscience — needs to stand up and speak out against intolerance in all its forms. Whether it’s students harassing other students because of ethnicity, disability or religion; or an adult, public official harassing the President of the University of Michigan student body because he is gay, it is time we as a country said enough. No more. This must stop.

He's right. This has to stop. This has to stop right the hell now. I don't care if you're a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl or the President of the United States, if you see homophobia (or bullying of any kind, really) you put a stop to it. Call them out on their actions. Tell a teacher. Defend whoever's being bullied. If you're high in the hierarchy, make it very clear that you will not tolerate homophobic behavior, that it's not cool or ok or funny. Help to pass laws that protect LGBTs and support your local Gay/Straight Alliance / help center / suicide prevention organization. 

Just reading these reports makes me want to cry. These are kids convinced that taking their lives is the only way to escape from these horrible monsters. There aren't enough ways to say how awful and wrong that is.

I think Mr. Johnny Cash said it best:

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.

Or, today, purple.