An emphatic declaration of persistence in the unceasing face of discrimination…
by: Carol E. Anderson
Because, in 1962, I was the first gay person I knew.
Because I was the only gay person at the West Chicago Baptist church.
Because Gina and I fell in love.
Because I had a secret I couldn’t even tell myself.
Because Anita Bryant scorned me as an abomination.
Because the law said I should go to jail.
Because the church said I should go to hell.
Because Bill Clinton said “don’t’ ask, don’t tell.”
Because I thought I was flawed.
Because on October 7, 1998, Aaron McKinney and Russel Henderson lured Matthew Shepherd, a sensitive and kind gay man, into their truck, drove him to a remote area in Wyoming, tied him to a split rail fence then tortured and beat him to death.
Because the fine Christian people of Westboro Baptist Church, led by Fred Phelps, picketed
Shepard’s funeral bearing signs that read, “Matt in Hell” and “God Hates Fags.”
Because on June 12, 2016 a mostly jubilant Latin crowd vibed to the music, drinks in hand, at the PULSE nightclub–a vibrant center for LGBTQ patrons, where 29 year old Omar Mateen entered with an AR-15 and killed 49 patrons and wounded 58 in the deadliest mass shooting in the United States to date.
Because politicians and the media mocked those deaths.
Because they made jokes that queers should be buried in “fruit jars.”
Because people said, “Thank God, they’re gone. They deserve it.”
Because it happened once before in New Orleans in 1973.
Because it will happen again.
Because I was taught to be courageous, to be strong and to stand up for myself, to be fearless in the face of discrimination.
Because I was taught to rise above hatred, to have faith in myself and to love others.
Because I am not broken.
I am still here.
Carol E. Anderson is a life coach and former organizational consultant whose passions are writing, women’s empowerment and travel photography. She is the founder of Rebellious Dreamers, a twenty-year strong non-profit organization that has helped women over thirty-five realize dreams they’d deferred and women of all ages come into their own. Carol holds a doctorate in spiritual studies, and master’s degrees in organizational development, and creative nonfiction. She is the author of the award-winning memoir, You Can’t Buy Love Like That: Growing Up Gay in the Sixties. Her goal at this stage is to live with a peaceful heart — a state regularly cultivated through walks in nature, meditation, and heartfelt conversation with friends. She lives with the love of her life and their sassy pup in a nature sanctuary in Ann Arbor, MI.
