Nathan Exposed » Let’s Talk About It

Let’s Talk About It

I remember a time when I was a young boy in school. I felt I didn’t have a voice. Bullies ruled, and nerdy fairies like me would keep their mouths shut and hide a corner if we knew what was best for us.

In many ways, I feel like politicians have become the bullies of the adult playground. Over the years, gay people have become their punching bags. For a long time, we fought back, and there were many passionate discussions on blogs. But in 2008, I’ve noticed that hardly any gay bloggers have even said a peep about the current caucuses going on.

A part of me thinks it’s because our community feels defeated. We’ve been beat up and pushed around so much, we’re finally submitting to the demands of the big bullies, just like in school. We’re shutting up, we’re hiding. We’re focusing on other things.

Now is not the time to back down. It might feel better to hide our heads in the sand and just wait for the major elections to roll around, but that’s not the way to live. We still have a voice. We are still Americans, and the bullies only win if they succeed in silencing us.

What is going on right now is relevant. It’s shaping the future and paving the way for whose name will be on your ballot in 11 months. Don’t you think that’s worth talking about?

I do, because I want change. I feel very confident that our Democratic candidates will bring it. I’m not just talking about GLBT issues either. There are many important topics going on in America, from health care to bringing our troops home safely.

I hope that 2008 is the year when things starting moving in the right direction. But it requires all of us to participate. We need to figure out which candidate we support, and make sure we speak up! Let’s make sure we are heard, and don’t allow ourselves to become tired and defeated. Make sure your friends and family know who you support, and why you support them. You might be surprised at who’s listening.

Most importantly, just keep the conversation going. You have more influence than you might realize.

Use your voice, your strength, and your power. All it takes is one person to start a movement.

Sat, Jan 5, 2008 @ 6:57 pm | Filed in Life | Permalink

2 Comments

I promise to speak up…but I can’t do it quite yet. It’s just too early for me. I simply refuse to be innundated with the presidental elections more than six months ahead or so. And, WE’VE GOT PLENTY TO DO RIGHT HERE IN OREGON THIS MONTH (check out my letter-writing post to see what we’re involved in right now…whew.)

Posted by Lewis on Sat, Jan 5, 2008 @ 10:46 pm

With all due respect, it’s not too early at all. The voting that’s going on right now in other states will affect who is on our ballot in November. So you never know when a post written by a blogger in Oregon will inspire someone in New Hampshire to jump in and be active this Tuesday. If you wait until the end of the year to participate, the decision will already be partially made for you

Posted by Nathan on Sat, Jan 5, 2008 @ 11:08 pm