A Response to Senator Enzi's LGBT Comment

The job of a public servant, especially that of a representative and senator is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and to protect us from all enemies foreign and domestic. What many forget is that part of this constitution and this country is: We the People.

The LGBT population is increasing and it is important to remember that the LGBT community is part of our nation – the melting pot that makes us so great. The importance of protecting people from harm is at everyone’s interest. Our officials are elected to help create ideas to be put forth that better the people of our nation. However, words can often lead to actions that simulate what was said.

The words that Wyoming Senator Enzi voiced, about improving the LGBT community are words that demonstrate the lack of knowledge Senator Enzi has of the LGBT community. In fact, his words demonstrate a typical stereotype that looms among the community. During a visit to a Wyoming high school, Senator Enzi had the following to say, “I know a guy that wears a tutu and goes to the bars on Friday night and is always surprised that he gets in fights. Well, he kind of asks for it a little bit. That’s the way he winds up with that kind of problem.”

This statement shows the incredible lack of respect that the Senator has for the LGBT community. Especially during a visit to a high school – it is understood the future lies in the hands of those who continue to graduate. Students tend to remember words that are spoken by top officials and these words that were spoken will ring for years to come.

Though Sen. Enzi has since apologized for his choice of words, we must understand that the lack of knowledge about the LGBT community is still alive and well.

As a gay Republican, I understand the void of understanding on the right – as I shake my head all too often. I believe officials such as Senator Enzi have a great opportunity to learn from the diverse cultures we have, especially in Wyoming. As elected officials, the obligation of listening and learning from their constituents is crucial in how the future of our state will be.

Today, I call on our members of congress – Republican and Democrat, gay and straight, white and black, members of every group to recognize the fact that without a diverse melting pot such as our own, our country will not succeed like it has in the past. We must set aside our prejudice and work together to include everyone and ensure that our melting pot continues to succeed.

Transfer of Power 2017

Today we continue a historic landmark. We continue the great transition of 2017 as we welcome the 45^th President of the United States of America. The last few years of campaigning have been some of the most crucial and intense years I have seen in my lifetime. Hatred was said, voices were raised, and class was broken – by both parties.

With every election, there comes many reservations that people have against the President and this election was no different. However, there are several instances in which have been completely different this time.

It is evident that there are people who love our new President and there are who dislike him very much. Every President who assumes the Office has those who are with him and those who are against him. However, as the people of America, we must realize that Donald Trump is now our President – our President whether you want to say it or not. He is now the leader of the free world, which we belong to. This brings me to a point which a family friend said to me back when President Obama first assumed the Presidency in 2008. He told me, “…like it or not, he is our President now and it is time to respect him.” I did not agree with a lot that President Obama believed, but as a President I respected him – it is not an easy job to fulfill. I know now that not everyone respects our President, but we must also realize that people make mistakes and for that people must seek forgiveness, even the President. It is our job as Christians to forgive and to help our President do the job in which he was elected to do.

Just as I am a Republican does not automatically mean that I will agree with everything he (Trump) does – and not all his policies I will agree with, but just as with President Obama, I will respect the office.

All this said, I challenge each of you to help make America great. It is fact that we will not agree with everything President Trump does, but our job as Americans is to voice our concerns to the President – peacefully and without hatred – violence is never the answer in a democracy. After all, the President does work for the people.

This day, we must unite as Americans and ensure that President Trump hears the people of whom he works for – and peacefully perform our duties as citizens of these great United States.

God Bless.

A Letter to Representative Steinmetz: Opposition of 2017 Wyoming House Bill 135 "Government Nondiscrimination Act"

Dear Representative Steinmetz,

I am writing you in regards to House Bill 135 “Government Nondiscrimination Act” that you have proposed. First off, please allow me to introduce myself. I too am a registered Republican and have been a proud supporter of the Republican Party. I am also one of the many gay Republicans in Wyoming. To be honest, I am so very disheartened and disappointed that a fellow Republican would introduce a bill such as HB 135.

The Republican Party has been the party of freedom, prosperity, vision, strength and the Party of the future. Bills such as the one you are proposing contradict what the Republican Party is truly about. HB 135 will take away the freedom that the LGBTQ community need to live a successful life – to grow and to prosper in a wonderful state such as Wyoming.

Did you know that there are over 12,000 Wyoming residents that belong to the LGBT community? And 2.9% of Wyoming’s population is that of LGBT adults? This may not seem like a large number to you, but what would you think if all 12,000+ of us moved out of Wyoming? How big of a financial dent would that make? Imagine all the LGBT tourists and our friends that Wyoming brings in every year, especially to visit the National Parks? As a state, I would imagine that we would like to bring in more businesses, more people to live and grow in Wyoming – but this bill will prevent that from happening. That is a large chunk of money that will not be made – there are many businesses that will lose employment because of a horrid bill such as HB 135.

Furthermore, your proposed bill will make all efforts put forth to protect the LGBT community useless, especially on the local levels. How can a population live in the Equality state when no one has equal rights? As part of the Republican Party, I’ve always believed that less government is best for the people – this bill is the complete opposite. Your bill will allow anyone to refuse service to anyone due to their religious beliefs and yet no one will be able to do anything about it because the government can now discriminate as well.

The ability for a doctor to be able to refuse service to children of LGBT families and keep their license is also so very harsh. I imagine that your family has good health care with doctors you prefer – why can’t my family have this right?

If I may, please let me ask you a question. If you or anyone in your family had a child that belonged to the LGBT community, would you want the best for them – or would you want them to fight for their life in a country of inequality?  I would hope you would want the best for them, but for now it is apparent that you fight for the complete opposite.

Representative Steinmetz, as a fellow Republican and a proud Wyomingite, I ask you to reconsider your proposition – and know that this doesn’t affect just those of strong religious values, but will affect everyone in Wyoming. As a gay Republican with strong Christian values and a testimony of my saviour, my hope is that you won’t seek to judge the LGBT community, but help us live and grow together in a beautiful Wyoming we can all be proud of.

I would love to discuss this further with you, by phone, email or in person. I believe if you knew the LGBT community of Wyoming you would be eager to fight for our rights.

Respectfully.