First of all, let me say, I respect everyone's right to believe how they want to believe. I also support everyone's right to practice religious freedom, as long as that is EVERYONE'S right. Also, I know that there are horrific things that take place in this world such as starvation, domestic violence, cancer, homelessness, child slavery, murder, suicide....many things that deserve A LOT of attention. People lost their damn minds over this whole Chick Fil A thing. Those of you that are annoyed that so much attention was given to this let me explain something....it is NOT about chicken and it is NOT about the first ammendment. I fully support Dan Cathy's right to state his opinion and to run his business. However, I reserve the right to disagree, to not support him and to not allow any of my money to go towards the millions he contributes to anti gay rights groups. Over and over I have heard people say....this is not a civil right issue...and of course the religious verses must come into play as well. Let me explain why this is more than chicken and the first ammendment. If you believe in the bible then you know that there are several sins in the bible that displease god. For instance, if you have sex before you are married, you displease god and have sinned. Or, if you overeat and don't treat your body as a temple, you are displeasing god and sinning. Or, if you are a married woman but don't always agree and go along with your husband's final decision on a subject, you are sinning. HOWEVER, none of those "sins" are used to keep YOU from getting married. This is a civil rights issue because if you are straight, you have more than 1000 rights as a married couple than I do in my committed relationship. Sure, I could pay to make sure I could see Sarah if something happened to her or Brennah. But as a married person, do you have to do that? No. Let me illustrate. If you have sex with someone outside of marriage and you get pregnant/or get the woman pregnant, you have committed sin. But if that child gets sick or even dies, neither of those parents can be denied rights to see or be with that child or make medical decisions. But that isn't true for my family. Yes, in this State I can file for 2nd parent adoption and that would give me some rights (those can be contested) but that isn't true in every State. This is why it is civil rights. People are killed and beat every day because of who they love. This is a civil rights issue. People can be fired because of their relationships. Have your religion, I totally respect your right to do so but don't use it to deny me the same rights as you in this country. Rights are rights not priviledges for certain people. I try and advocate for people to find middle ground and peace in everything. I push to see the sunny side in everything. I work so that no one can determine my attitude, mood or life. However, my family is so important to me. Contrary to popular belief, just because I am gay doesn't mean we don't have values or morals. When people feel as though their rights and priviledges are more important than mine and then use their religion to back it, it hurts ..... it hurts badly. I am not a monster. I am not to be feared. I don't deserve to be called names or dismissed or minimized. When things hurt...they hurt...and those feelings have to be acknowledged and dealt with. You who spread hatedto not define my world but I hope you could just listen and try to understand why it matters so much. I can't make you listen and I can't make you understand. All I can do is continue to love my family, be grateful for them and work to see the change I want to see in the world.
If we showed love and if we were honest with ourselves the whole world would look different. I feel torn. I support the right for all people to be able to speak up and not be punished. I support the rights of religious people to rally behind companies they love. I just wish other people, such as yourself, did not feel unloved and blasted in the process.
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My name is Melissa. I live in small town middle America with my awesome and loving partner and our beautiful daughter.