There are some things worth fighting for. For, not about. Fighting about something usually means a focus on the people or individuals, but fighting for something moves the focus away from the “who” and focuses it on the “what”. Many generations ago our forefathers fought for freedom. During the civil rights movement there was a fight for equal rights for African-Americans. Today many of us are fighting for gay rights, marriage equality, and the right to love regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
You’ve heard the saying “love doesn’t discriminate, only people do”. Love is a funny thing, you never know when or where it will happen, and contrary to some people’s beliefs, who it will happen with. We love our parents, children, spouses, friends, neighbors, enemies, and even our cats and dogs, and everyone is perfectly fine with that. But when a man falls in love with another man, or a woman falls in love with another woman, then love suddenly and magically becomes wrong? Our biggest battle today on this issue is with the religious right, the fanatical Christians that have been so consumed in their shallow-minded religious indoctrination that they have actually forgotten, or purposely overlooked, the true fundamentals of Christianity. As a Christian myself, I live with the confidence and assurance that my God is a loving God who does not discriminate but loves me unconditionally and accepts me for who I am.
I allowed my struggles with my homosexuality prevent me from finding, or accepting, true love for the majority of my lifetime. Three years ago I met, and fell in love with the man of my dreams. I soon had this feeling deep down inside that I had never felt before. We talked, we laughed, we cried, we kissed, we confided, we trusted, we held each other close, and I knew without a doubt that this was a love that was worth fighting for.
Shouldn’t all love be worth fighting for? If you feel that same feeling inside you that I felt with Bret, then who’s to tell you it is wrong to love? Throughout life you will meet one person who is like no other. You can talk to this person for hours and never get bored. You can tell them things and they won’t judge you. This person is your soul mate, a love worth fighting for. Don’t ever let them go.
Tim D. Unruh lives in Des Moines, IA with his husband and writes a blog called www.justhalfwayout.com that shares his life story of his struggles with growing up gay in small town rural America. How he learned to deal with his sexuality, religion, depression, alcohol abuse and coming out to his son, friends and family. You can follow Tim on Twitter @justhalfwayout and www.facebook.com/justhalfwayout.