In 2007, before an unmemorable action movie, I saw a preview for a film that changed the way I think. The preview featured a few twenty-somethings chatting on a roof before an explosion rocked the city, raining debris from the sky. The preview also showed the head of the Statue of Liberty rolling down the street and the Brooklyn Bridge collapsing. I didn’t know what was happening, I had no idea what was causing the disasters, I didn’t know who any of the people in the movie were but I did know one thing: I knew that I MUST see it.

For months I visited the movie’s website searching for clues. Was it a monster? Was it terrorism? Was it a giant lion as many blogs suggested? During this search for information I was suddenly struck with a terrifying thought: what if I die before this movie comes out? What if I am struck down by a crosstown bus and never find out the secrets? I suddenly became very careful when crossing streets and only rode in elevators where the safety certificate was clearly displayed and current.

There but for the grace of God and sheer dumb luck I survived and the movie came and went. Also it did not disappoint. A giant alien sea monster rampaged through the streets of Manhattan destroying buildings, landmarks, and shedding parasitic crab spider monsters from it’s back. In short, it was AWESOME!

Now that I am free of the Cloverfield burden my mind is available to focus on other issues. It seems these fears are related since several areas of this country are metaphorically rolling the head of the Statue of Liberty down the street by denying her fundamental principles. The problem plaguing my mind daily is the struggle for equality for all GLBT citizens and the refusal of many states and the Federal Government to take a stance on equality. With laws being passed denying gay citizens equal protection under the law for no other reason than their sexuality is demoralizing, dehumanizing, painful, unconstitutional and in a word ignorant. At this point we are legislating scripture that I, and millions of Americans do not follow nor believe in. Laws are being passed and upheld because a very small, vocal and powerful section of society does not appreciate the way I was born. And I can assure you that I was born gay as I am always stumped by the question, “when did you know?” I don’t remember not knowing therefore homosexuality is not a choice in the way Christianity is.

I may seem to be rabidly anti-christian in this rant however that is far from my beliefs. I fully support one’s choice to lead their life in a Christian way and only expect the same respect for me to live my life, with the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, protecting me if people agree with me or not. I’m not interested in anyone’s approval: I don’t want it, I don’t need it, but as I am not breaking a law by being a homosexual then laws cannot be made to deny my rights to marry, own property with a partner, adopt a child, or serve in the military simply because of my sexuality.

People can espouse their “protection of marriage” rant but until those same Christian-funded organizations take time to picket divorce proceedings (Genesis 2:24: Marriage is permanent: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." The word translated as "cleave" is a translation of the Hebrew word "dabaq" which means to make a permanent alliance with another person. It is used elsewhere in the Bible in this context: Joshua 23:12, Ruth 1:14, and 2 Samuel 20:2. In its noun form, the word refers to soldering two pieces of metal together: i.e. making a permanent joint. Some theologians have suggested that this term refers to permanent actions -- those that cannot be undone. Thus, the passage implies that divorce is forbidden) and single mothers (As NOM continually states that children deserve to be raised by a “mother AND a father”), then there is no basis for this argument but bigotry, outright hatred and stupidity. As further proof that Christian morals are painfully spotshot Miss Kalifornia, Carrie Prejean, was lauded by many Christians for her stance on traditional “opposite marriage,” however saw nothing wrong with her topless photos despite scripture saying otherwise: 1 Timothy 2:9: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair [extensions] or gold [highlights] or pearl [necklaces] or expensive [lingerie] clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

It seems now my biggest fear is that something awful will happen to me before I see the day when GLBT citizens are recognized as a citizen of this country subject to the same rights, privileges and dreams as everyone. To see that day would be more awesome than any alien sea monster in the world. Civil rights take time, as history has proven over and over again. I know without a shadow of a doubt that our country will get there and now I just hope that I live to see it. I also hope that I never have to live through a Cloverfield monster attack because I can’t stand to see Lady Liberty trampled upon any more than she already has.