I’m gay and I don’t eat chicken

I have known for some time now the stance that Chick-fil-a took on my sexuality.  Any oppression or ill will toward anyone because of ANYTHING tugs at my heart.  I spent most of last evening thinking of a response to the outpouring of both support and disgust for Chick-fil-a and those who did or did not eat at the establishment yesterday.

As a child into my pre-teens I went to church religiously, only listened to Christian music, and followed what I was taught as far what Jesus wanted for my life.  And, as of today, I don’t agree with organized religion but I do remember what the basis of the bible taught me.  LOVE. 

How do I love?  I will not defriend you on Facebook for eating at Chick-fil-a.  Why?  Because I’m your friend due to a connection we have made.  Sure, some of my Facebook friends maybe are old, new, acquaintances, yet you are still in my life.  I value your friendship, even if it means I don’t agree with you and for my own personal sanity I may hide some of your posts.  That is my decision.  This is not meant to be mean or malicious; it simply is to keep my own spirit lifted.

And I don’t eat chicken.  I don’t eat any animal products.  As a vegan I wouldn’t eat at Chick-fil-a anyway.   Throughout this ongoing saga I couldn’t decide what it was that really upset me.   The large number of chickens who are slaughtered daily or that people want to have a say in who I love and who I marry.  At the end of the day, I’m still alive and the chickens are dead. 

I don't want to come at this from a place of anger or hatred.  If I can speak my truth with love maybe you can  hear me more clearly.  I am gay, I want to marry the woman I love (or will love one day ;)).  I am vegan, I don't think any animal should be used for his or her body.

I ask you to think about what will you do now?  Will you choose to donate to an LGBTQ group in honor of this event?  Will you sit idly by and continue to bitch?  Will you stand up and make the change happen? 

What did I do?  I donated to GLADD

Religion....

Religion has been a huge part of my upbringing. I grew up going to a church called "The Church of the First Born". Was it a cult? I think probably... OK, let's backtrack.

My parents met in college through a church group facilitated by the church mentioned previously. After graduation my dad went to seminary. He became a United Methodist Minister. Said church, mentioned above somehow wooed him back to their church, he left the ministry and went. I was part of this Church ages 5-13. In which time I only listened to Christian Music, watched religious TV, never went trick-or-treating and well thought I would save the world by convincing my friends to be "saved".

My parents had a wake up call and left that church, Dad went back into the ministry and became preacher again and my mom went to seminary. I left the church and never looked back. I went to the baptist church for awhile to oogle over cute boys - nothing to do with religion.

Today I am no fan of organized religion. I am finding my spirituality through my yoga practice, nature and love. I get outraged at the hatred that comes from the "church" against women, against gays, against the teletubbies. When I was going to church I was told that God is a God of love, so where is the love? Jesus fed the homeless, helped prostitutes and most likely had plenty of gay friends.

I just read this blog http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hugged-man-in-his-underwear-and-i-am.html which made me cry. Thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes, it really moved me. What is moving you? Religion, Creed, Spirituality, Buddha, Krishna, God, Goddess, Jesus....

Hate and disrespect is not a part of any religion.