It took me a while...(forgive the length)
When I was in school (a religion-based, private school in Houston) bullying came from a different sort of place. One of moral justification that resulted in shunning of others who believed or lived outside of the Christian majority. I owe much of my thick skin, patience and coping abilities to this time in my life, but not everybody reacts the same to adversity. Some kids are really affected quite differently and don’t at least have the structure of a private institution to protect them from bodily harm.
My bullies were mainly in grade and middle school, but many peers were persecuted in high school too. I did a bit of the goth-boy thing to get people to leave me alone. Hehe. Worked like a charm! One thing all of these bullies had in common was the primary source for their condemnation – "moral leaders" like James Dobson and Pat Robertson who made a point to reach out to young people through television and literature to spread more poison than understanding or acceptance. I firmly believe that any public broadcast or book from
these particular leaders should contain warning labels for younger viewers! I don’t think anyone under the age of consent should be exposed to their toxic view of religion. But not all Christians are like them. In fact, I’ve found that
most of them are not, but they just aren’t nearly as vocal.
That’s precisely what makes your video so valuable! Thanks for it.
My views extend beyond a "live and let live" mentality. I think we should find the similarities in others and also celebrate the differences! There are many who think that we can be only of one belief or the other, but we really should be more of a blending of ideas...or at least a mutual acceptance of the right to thrive under different beliefs. I don’t think we should try to change others to our way of thinking or dictate how they should live their lives. Many friends and family members are Christians – I am not, nor will I ever be. I understand their faith and the architecture of their beliefs, but I personally disagree with them and that cannot be resolved. I was raised in it, had an interesting journey exploring it for decades and finally came to my own conclusions. Case closed. But that’s okay! I certainly don’t ban those folk from my life or prevent them from sharing or carrying out their traditions and thriving in their own lives. I wish the Christian majority in this country adopted that same practice toward me and my gay friends.
There’s an alarming, sweeping notion of Christian Supremacy in America.
Extremists want to prevent equal treatment and even strip others of rights if they don’t fit an arbitrary idea of the Christian American family. There's a "my way or the highway" mentality out there that if Christan principles aren't followed that this country will perish. Every natural disaster is transformed into a warning sign of our wicked ways and any gay rights achieved translate into some absurd illustration of being able to marry the family pet! However, if Kermit proposed to me I'd have a hard time saying no. But who wouldn't?
Personally, I like seeing Christmas trees and over-sized candy canes in the town square. Most of my gay peers do too! In fact, who do you think designs a lot of that stuff? Too many conservatives have been convinced that the secular extremist point of view reflects a majority. This Texan-turned-San Franciscan will tell you that's not so! As a child of adoption, I also think that kids need homes regardless of what match-up comprises the
family dynamic. Differences are never easy, but I think we can have it all in this country if want it and learn to
share! Maybe more adults should fit in some viewings of Sesame Street!
Things do get better after high school. It becomes easier to pick and choose our peer groups, but I favor an eclectic assortment! What kind of person wants to be surrounded by like-minded sycophants? I love having friends who will openly disagree with me. On a monthly basis I talk to gays, straights, transgenders, whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and Muppet Enthusiasts! I don’t think my life would be as full if not for all of these fantastically different people and I wouldn’t want to change one thing about their personalities or beliefs.
I was raised under the notion that being a cafeteria Christian was a bad thing. Maybe so for that theology, but I'm a
cafeteria human being! I expose myself to all different types of things, learn from them, accept the parts I like and leave the rest for others. It makes for a much richer life experience! We should all be able to get along with our differences intact, but there are far too many religious leaders who preach that is a dangerous thing! Too many young people dealing with their issues are taught they are immoral or wrong and they learn self-loathing instead of exploring who they are and learn self-acceptance of however they might turn out to be!
The world isn’t perfect, but the perspective on it gets much better after high school. By the time many of these current gay students graduate college they’ll likely be able to marry who they choose and will enjoy more equality under the law than we do now. It is getting better.
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I can't call myself a good Christian, but the fact that someone can make a fortune telling people what to believe and how to behave instead of just peacefully speaking the words of their religion... well, that makes me sick to my stomach. Any religion will tell you it is your duty to help others and live in peace with them square one. 
