It has been five weeks since I came out in a very public way. I decided to come out so that I could tell my story and empower people to stand up for what is right. Much, but not all, of the feedback has been positive; some have resorted to childish name-calling. I'm doing this not for myself but for the millions of kids, young adults, and adults all over the world who feel they are second-class citizens because of the bigot or hypocrite next door. And yes, those types of people do exist, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not.
I have been a Republican all my life. I actually joke with my friends and family that not only was I born gay -- I was born a Republican! I believe in a limited approach to government and fighting for civil liberties based on Constitutional principles. I do not believe, however, that my personal beliefs and convictions should be legislated or mandated. Therefore, I do not believe other people's beliefs and convictions should become law, either.
Less government means less discrimination. More government means more intrusion and less freedom. One of the major problems is that our representatives in Washington, D.C. listen to those who comprise the party's base when they go home. They're loud, they're radical, and they hold the campaign purse strings. But what about the average voter? Do they get a voice in our political process?
When it comes to the Republican Party today, we preach limited government, and we prop up the message of the Tea Party; however, it's not enough anymore to just say, "I disagree." Did people that led large movements in the past get anywhere by simply saying "I disagree"? Absolutely not. They were vocal, and they were persecuted because of it. But if it weren't for people like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harvey Milk, where would we be today?
I am doing this because it is time to stand up for what is right before the opportunity passes me by. I'm doing this for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) kids who are bullied simply for being themselves. I'm doing this for the young man who committed suicide a few weeks ago, in part because self-proclaimed "Christians" persecuted him to the point where he believed that his sexual orientation was a "disorder." That is why I'm out here on the front lines, not for me but for them.
This journey has been a wonderful experience for me, both personally and professionally. I thought coming out would be one of the hardest things for me to do, but it was exactly the opposite. It is the greatest thing I have done so far in my life. The most important thing any gay American can do is come out. I encourage you to be true to yourself and stay true to your message. Love everyone in your life, whether they support you or not.
I promise, it gets better.
A version of this piece originally appeared on News-Leader.com.
Follow Lucas Case on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lucascase
Um... At what point was any of that a Republican position?
Are you really that clueless?
And exactly how does this occur? Was there more or less discrimination before the passage if the Civil Rights Act of 1964? How exactly did discrimination increase when the Department of Education, the EPA, & OSHA increaased the size of the federal government?
That's my comment.
As gay republicans begin to speak up in an effort to send messages of encouragment to the Phillip's of the world, I hope that they also intend to do more to speak out against the hateful rhetoric that occurs in the TN's across the country....
RIP Phillip...
You see, while you have an abundance of privilege that is likely associated with being white, male, and being read as hetero identified, you've spent your entire life consealing that fact that you're gay.
You close by providing the encouraging statement that you "promise, it gets better" but I'm not convinced. How old are you Lucas? How many of your family and friends have you been able to disclose your status to? I also wonder how many 'white' spaces would have been closed to you had you disclosed your identity as 'gay' and how much you benefited from the silencing of your status?
Surely you were aware of the suicides, the rhetoric that has lead to families throwing their children out on the streets and yet, you remained silent. You belong to a political party that believes in smaller gov't, one that closes down the very support systems that provide solace and comfort for the very youth whom your speaking to and yet you proclaim that it gets better?
Perhaps it does in your world, one where silence is met with closeness andd success.
So either the author hasn't spent enough time around the other members of his party and doesn't know that yet, or he has and is acting like a Real Republican.