Someone sent this to me last week and I wanted to share it. We all face hard times, resentment, or even hatred – but then we look back on the good that we are doing and the lives we are touching (big and small) and we remember why it is that we must STAND and LIVE OUT LOUD, proud of who we are.
Thanks for the support!!
I was so deeply impacted when I watched this music video “Make it Stop” by Rise Against that I had to share my thoughts. After reading please watch (link below). It is a pretty powerful representation of what LGBT Youth deal with every day, and why it needs to STOP.
Lawmakers and others (parents, teachers, counselors, “friends”) try and make “gay issues” as they call them about more than just THE ISSUES. They bring in religion, family problems and parenting, school systems, hormone imbalance, whatever will focus the attention off this one fact – and here it is: IF YOU TELL SOMEONE THEY ARE “WRONG” LONG ENOUGH, THEY WILL START TO BELIEVE IT. People are SO surprised when youth that are either LGBT or accused of being LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) try and take their lives. REALLY? These are the people that help perpetuate the stereotypes. This is NOT ok. Things need to change, and they start with US!!!
Do not be hurt if/when you are persecuted for being whatever you are. Stand strong and know that you are exactly the person that you were created to be, and that you have a purpose. Even if that purpose isn’t clear to you, it still exists. One day, the trials and hardships you face now will be stories that you hold, times in your life that you had to work through that ultimately made you stronger.
Not only does IT get better, but you will become BETTER than those that push you down – because you know the strength it takes to get back UP, and that you are capable of anything!
Believe this, IT truly does GET BETTER. Keep the faith. Thanks for reading,
- -
LINK TO MUSIC VIDEO: (copy and paste into browser)
http://www.vevo.com/watch/rise-against/make-it-stop-septembers-children/USUV71100796
Hey guys,
Let’s face it, now if you want anyone to listen to what you have to say, you have to make a video about it. Nobody reads anymore. SOOO I made a handy video of me actually calling my Senator to talk about the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This is SO easy to do, and even though it’s for DADT, you can use these tips to call and chat about ANY law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRarce_4ZDA
Cheers,
(TAKES 2 MINS I PROMISE!) What can YOU do for our soldiers?? This is CRUCIAL!
I have many friends that are among the 12,500+ Americans DISCHARGED from the military because of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Don’t know about it? That’s ok.. Basically is says that you can enlist in the military, take a bullet for your country – but it anyone finds out that you hold hands with a boy (if you’re a boy) or a girl (if you’re a girl) in your spare time, “WHAMO!” you’re out! This is unfair, and NEEDS to change.
We are at a CRUCIAL time to REPEAL this law once and for all. PLEASE read this and DO IT.
My conversation with my Senator’s Office:
“Hi, how are you? Good. Is _____ there? No, Ok, can I leave a message? Thank you. I want to tell Senator ____ to support the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and let people serve openly in the military. Thank you, goodbye.”
THAT was it. We need to SHOW these Senators that they have the support from the American people to END THIS.
Here’s the link to your Senator’s Office ——> http://bit.ly/a1IOeJ
Do YOU have what it takes to change America??? Of Course.
Mike,
John McCain tried to prevent the repeal of DADT, but he only delayed it. His close-mindedness will only get him so far, and the LGBT men and women serving (or wanting to serve) in this country’s armed forces WILL have the same rights as straight men and women!!
CHECK THIS OUT:
SLDN Statement on the U.S. Senate’s Failure to Break Filibuster and Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), issued a statement today after the U.S. Senate failed to break a filibuster on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains the repeal of DADT. To move forward on debate of the bill, 60 votes were needed to break a filibuster by U.S. Sen. John McCain.
“Today’s Senate vote was a frustrating blow to repeal this horrible law. We lost because of the political maneuvering dictated by the mid-term elections. Let’s be clear: Opponents to repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not have the votes to strike those provisions from the bill. Instead, they had the votes for delay. Time is the enemy here. We now have no choice but to look to the lame duck session where we’ll have a slim shot. The Senate absolutely must schedule a vote in December when cooler heads and common sense are more likely to prevail once midterm elections are behind us. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network will continue to take this fight to the American people, the vast majority of whom support repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
I know it’s been a while since I’ve been on this site to update all of my amazing fans and readers about all things LGBT and/or my life. I have a few blog post ideas (about Religion, Media, Politics, ect) in the works, but I wanted to take a second to write something to a person that deserves mention.
If you’re not familiar with the background story of my family situation, Instinct Magazine wrote a really good article about it. http://instinctmagazine.com/mom-of-the-month/real-world%E2%80%99s-mike-manning-and-his-mom-of-the-month
Since the show I have moved to LA. I am still involved with HRC events, as well as fundraisers for PFLAG, GLAAD, and other LGBT groups. I am also continuing to pursue a career in acting. I am taking classes, working with casting directors, managers, etc. on getting things rolling with movies, TV, theatre, etc… I have been focusing a lot on that stuff, which is a necessity if you want to “make it” in this town. **I have some pretty cool projects in the works, but I can’t say what they are just yet. 
Meanwhile, my family members have become great supporters of “gay rights,” walking in the Denver Pride Parade with me back in Colorado, and participating in other pro-LGBT events on their own. My mother is now starting a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club at my old high school. WHOA! How things have changed?! I think it’s awesome!!! She is making fliers, talking to staff/students, organizing events, and even plans on hosting an “End Hate” shoot. And my sister brought friends to the End Hate shoot that I held in Northern Colorado, and helped run the entire event. (Btw, if you’d like to hold an End Hate shoot at a college or high school, there is a Toolkit on this site to get started.)
They are taking the reigns and making a difference, and I just want to say THANK YOU. A year ago I was so paranoid about what my mom (and others) would think, and now people are taking charge and standing for what’s right BY THEMSELVES, making more of a difference than I could have ever imagined.
AND THAT ALSO GOES FOR FANS THAT HAVE WRITTEN ME SAYING THEY ARE GETTING INVOLVED!!
So get out there, share yourself with your loved ones, SHOW them that you are just as good as anyone else and that you deserve the SAME rights/treatment as any other person. Show others that being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender(LGBT) is NOT a crime, that it is how you were born and that you don’t feel like you need to apologize for that. Then let them become an ally with you. The way things are is NOT good enough. Shit needs to change! You might be surprised with the people that they become because of your influence.
I sure am, and to my mother I’d like to say “Thanks. You are making more of a difference than you even realize, to so many youth.”
Always my Best,
- Mike
Someone (known on Twitter as: BEEHB001) made this video after a few ENDHATE shoots (schools, personal pics sent in, etc.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAIuX057V3w&feature=youtu.be
I LOVE this.
Wanna get involved?? Please post End Hate pics to “People 2 End Hate” on Facebook and send to endinghate@gmail.com . AND/OR create your own End Hate event. (See End Hate Toolkit on this site under blogs.)
Great video. Thanks!!!
Spread the message of equality or else no changes will be made. God Bless.
The following was sent to me from my friend Peter regarding Obama’s (and other’s) fullfillment of their promises to the LGBT community. Personally I would like to see more being done (obviously), but we cannot forget what they HAVE done – and how different things would be if we DIDN’T have Obama in office. I am 99.99% positive McCain wouldn’t do most of these.
Check this out on eQualityGiving.org
http://www.equalitygiving.org/Accomplishments-by-the-Administration-and-Congress-on-LGBT-Equality
I know it might be frustrating, but we need to all keep working TOGETHER to see EQUALITY achieved. Even if you don’t think Obama is directly responsible for some of these (which is true, he’s not), you can still educate yourself on what HAS happened recently, and use that to help determine where we need to go – and how to get there. Especially younger readers, GET EDUCATED so that WE may be tools of change. We shouldn’t wait around for others to do it for us; We need to act. Find out how to get involved with local groups or national orgs. (www.hrc.org is a good start.)
“We can’t have harmony if we’re all singing the same note…but our words should match once in a while.”
————————————
P.S. Get involved TODAY. Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell passed in The House, coming to the Senate this month or next (hopefully) for a vote to repeal.
CALL the SENATE Operator at (202) 224-3121 and use your zip code to be directed to your Senator’s Office. “Hi, I’d like to speak to Senator ____ to urge them to support or continue supporting the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” —> That’s it! You don’t NEED to be an expert to get involved. Create a buzz in the office and show your support!
Quick Facts: +13,000 have been discharged from the military since the law passed in 1993.
“Don’t Ask” mandates that military or appointed officials will not ask about or require members to reveal their sexual orientation. “Don’t Tell” states that a member may be discharged if s/he says that s/he is homosexual or bisexual or makes a statement indicating that s/he has a tendency towards or intends to engage in homosexual activities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don’t_ask,_don’t_tell
Personally, I think that if someone is going to risk his/her life for a country’s liberty and freedom, they should be able to be honest about who they are missing at home.
Thanks for reading. -Mike
So at long last we have all of the pictures from the first “End Hate” shoot. The shoot was held in Greeley, Colorado at the University of Northern Colorado. I have developed an entire toolkit of materials for anyone wanting to do something like this on their college campus, high school, or any group activity. (See “End Hate Toolkit.”)
The event was a huge success. We had hundreds of students participate, hundreds of photos taken, and great speakers/movies throughout the day. I have to make special mention of Andrew Romanoff (candidate for Senate in Colorado) and his great speech supporting Equal Rights for all.
GREAT DAY! Here are the pics. If you’d like to do an event or have your OWN End Hate picture, please submit it to “People 2 End Hate” on Facebook, or www.endinghate@gmail.com .
Here are the pics:
LETTER FOR MONDAY, MAY 17, 2010:
“Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama” is a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Every weekday morning as we approach the markup of the Defense Authorization bill in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, SLDN and a coalition of voices supporting repeal, will share an open letter to the President from a person impacted by this discriminatory law. We are urging the President to include repeal in the Administration’s defense budget recommendations, but also to voice his support as we work to muster the 15 critical votes needed on the Senate Armed Services Committee to include repeal. The Defense Authorization bill represents the best legislative vehicle to bring repeal to the president’s desk. It also was the same vehicle used to pass DADT in 1993. By working together, we can help build momentum to get the votes! We ask that you forward and post these personal stories.
##
May 17, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
-
Dear Mr. President, I am a proud Army veteran of the first Gulf War. You won’t find anyone who loves this country more. I get chills and teary eyes, every time I hear the Pledge of Allegiance or The Star Spangled Banner. I’ve been known to call a business when I see them flying a tattered flag to let them know that if that’s all the pride they have in the American flag, they should just take it down. I am also a proud lesbian. I joined the military in 1989, before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was enacted and when there was an outright ban on gays and lesbians in the military. I did not realize at the time that I was a lesbian, but later, when I did come to terms with my being gay, I never tried to hide it, but I did not flaunt it either. My sexual orientation was a non-issue. I was a hard charging soldier, promoted long before my peers.
I am sure there was talk behind my back about me being a lesbian, but no one ever seemed to care. I was a good friend, soldier, and leader; everyone I encountered could have cared less about what happened in my private life. After DADT was passed, I started to hear stories about people being discharged. I struggled with this every day, always fearful that I would be next. Eventually, the stress of constant fear that I could lose my job no matter how hard I worked or how well I performed, became too much. I knew from the stories of others that even serving to the very best of my ability could cost me my job. I knew that an anonymous tip—by someone who was jealous of my success, angry with me because of a disagreement, or mad because I rebuffed a sexual advance—could trigger a demoralizing, demeaning investigation under DADT. And if I was not willing to lie, I knew an investigation could lead to my discharge. I was lucky, though. I did not get kicked out, but that does not mean that DADT didn’t affect me. The uncertainty and fear of knowing that anyone with a grudge could end my career, and the sadness in realizing that at any time my country could callously discard me for no other reason than the fact that I was gay, pressured me to give up the career I loved. I chose not to reenlist.
There are days when it is hard for me not to walk into the nearest recruiting station and sign back up. I watch what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan and it’s hard for me to think about not being there with the men and women I served with in the first Gulf War. I have to remind myself why I chose not to reenlist. Defending our country in uniform is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of being an American. Many people do not appreciate that; many take our freedoms for granted; and many do not choose to serve. We cannot afford to lose those who want to serve, who have the necessary skills and work ethic, and who would risk their lives for their comrades and their country. Mr. President, in your State of the Union Address, you said that the American people are not quitters. I did not quit on my country during the first Gulf War and I would serve again if called. There are at least 66,000 gays and lesbians serving right now who do not want to quit, either. Mr. President, please don’t quit on them. Please do everything in your power to end DADT this year. We are counting on you.
Respectfully, Former Sgt. Shonda Garrison United States Army