[Strappie]

This weekend changed my life forever. As you all know Minnesota is one of the states that have the Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment on the ballot. Well I could no longer hide who I am... So I posted my story on my facebook for the world to see and my small town of 350 ppl the very town my mother still lives in. The people have changed my life for ever!

Here is my story............

I was a little girl just like you. I was your friend growing up.
I was your babysitter, your teammate, your student, and your classmate. You voted me Spring Fest Queen in high school and Athlete of the Year. I am a daughter, a godchild, a sister and an Aunt. I’m your co-worker. I’m the friend you call when you need help.

Why I’m Voting NO on the Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, Amendment 1

I lived in fear my entire life and today I will no longer live in fear for who I am. I was in so much fear I wasn’t able to tell my own mother my truth, the truth of who I am. I lived in fear of losing my friends. In fear of being bullied and in fear of being laughed at or not being able to play sports because of who I am. My biggest fear of all was for my mother her living in a small town and of how small towns always have a few that “whisper.” I’m sure there will be a few after hearing or reading this.

I thought I was protecting her and my family when in fact I was only hurting myself. Although I protected her and my family the only way I knew how, HIDE. I hid who I really was. I am now ashamed for hiding my truth from my mother whom I love so very much, the very person that brought life to me 47 years ago and took me 46 years to tell. I was afraid to share what I’ve been through and go through daily because of who I am. She said, “she loves me no matter what.”

I am not going to hide anymore. I am gay. I am no different than the person sitting next to you. The same person you grew up with, the same person you worked beside, the same person that babysat your children. I’m the same person that laughed with you at the bar or played ball with and currently in the state of Minnesota, the state I have called home my entire life, the state that I love, it is illegal for me to marry the one I love.

Amendment 1 does not legalize gay marriage, but it keeps discrimination out of Minnesota’s constitution.

Let me ask you. How do you love your mother? How do you love your sister, your best friend? How do you love your spouse? Please tell me, why is my love any different than yours? I was good enough back in high school to be Athlete of the year and Spring Fest Queen but not good enough to have the same rights you have.

I hope that by talking about this it may change some peoples thinking.. So when you go to check that box ….. I beg you to Vote NO on Amendment 1! Amendment 1 changes the Minnesota constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman and takes us farther away from equality; to me it is out right discrimination.

Please do not allow them to put discrimination in our constitution it only hurts me, millions of others, and generations to come.

LOVE is LOVE and is bigger than any government! VOTE NO!!

My little town and surrounding area's have been so supportive. My mom has gotten phone calls of people crying and saying they are so sorry they didn't support me more growing up. It's been a beautiful experience I can't even explain it.