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As I read about people struggling over issues
of gay bashing I am moved to share my own experience. As a straight,
married man I could easily stay out of the fray, but it's the individual
personal connections that get me out front. I have a very close
friend from junior high school days (growing up in Winona) who realized he was
gay in his late 20s. We have remained the best of friends for almost 35
years. I have a cousin who realized she was lesbian when she was in
her mid 30s. She and her partner adopted a beautiful little girl who
is of course cousin to my children. So for me, embracing gay and
lesbian people is not an abstract political issue, but a heart-tugging question
of supporting the people I love. When I read of hateful criticism of
gays and even more hateful violence against gays I am compelled to stand with my
friends and family. Gay-bashing has a very personal face for me. I
would invite anyone who thinks about this issue to put the faces of gay friends
or family into it. If you don't know if you have gay friends and
family, trust me (and the nationwide statistics), there are many people out
there whom you know and love who are afraid to admit they are gay. It's
all about real people.
- Phil Carlson,
Minneapolis
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