I, Artaxerxes, do hereby solemnly swear that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and do stand by it willingly until the day my Creator calls me home.
(1) I accept and welcome my homosexuality. If this is my "burden to bear" or a "blessing in disguise", I will not hide it. It is a part of my eternal identity and I could never expect it to change. It is within me, and I cannot deny it.
(2) I choose to be happy. Every morning, I have the choice to be happy or to be sad, and I choose to be happy. There is no reason that being gay should make me unhappy and wallow in self misery. I have already experienced those days in high school. Those days have now since passed.
(3) I deny gay stereotypes. Just because I am gay does not mean, and will never mean that I am a sexual deviant. There is a common misconception that being gay means that you have sex and being straight means that you have relationships. I hereby denounce that claim and I will strive to go against the gay stereotype whenever I can. I am a man attracted to men and that's that.
(4) I declare with solemnity that whoever denies someone the right to love another based on their sexual orientation is in danger of Hell-fire. We have been taught to love everyone and appreciate what they can do for society.
(5) I denounce the hateful attitude that some members of Christian faiths have towards their gay brothers and sisters. I cannot accept their Satanic hatred. They profess to be of Christ, but He must say to them, "...I never knew you."
(6) I accept The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the correct religion for me. Others may be against my claim, but I cannot deny the feelings I have had when attending church. I cannot deny the peace that comes from reading the words of God found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. While vehemently disagree with some of the Church's actions, I do not hate nor despise the Church. We are good acquaintances, and acquaintances shall we always remain.
(7) I cherish the friendships I have with my straight brothers and sisters as well as my gay brothers and sisters. I understand that we are all created equal under the protection of our Father, yet we all have our unique differences. Those differences are the things that hold the human experience together.
(8) I uphold my standards of clean, moral living.
(9) I refuse to be told that I am cursed, broken, diseased, wrong, evil, a sinner, or likewise. The people who tell me that are the ones who are in danger of losing their spiritual and eternal inheritance.
(10) I choose to live a life full of the best experiences. I choose to cherish the bittersweet feelings of rejection and love sickness. I choose to accept my life as what it is: a life given to be from my God. I choose to appreciate those around me and their wonderful influence for good that they have over me. I promise to be the best son any Father could ask for; serving my fellowman, striving to do what is right, and being who I was meant to be.
Signed (electronically),
Andrew Mark Foree
This is awesome, Andy. When I wrote my gay manifesto it really helped me find the pulse on where I am in life. It really was an experience in self-examination. I hope it was the same for you.
ReplyDeleteAndy, this is beautiful!! :) Know that I always love you, and I'm proud to be your friend!
ReplyDeleteGrant: It was a good experience in self examination. One that prompted a 3 hour conversation with my mother....
ReplyDeleteStephanie: Oh, Honey B, I love you too!
I hope it was a good conversation with your mother. I know that sometimes those can be dicey. I love you and I am proud that you are coming to terms with how wonderful you are! Keep up the good work!
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