Statement: I first fully understood the injustice and hypocrisy of homophobia when, after going through a divorce, I decided to join a local men's support group twenty-four years ago. After several minutes I realized I was attending a Gay men's group. Instead of leaving, I stayed for several months. I discovered that, except for who we are romantically and sexually attracted to, we all shared the same desires for love and companionship, the same fears, insecurities, power struggles, and the need to be understood that underlie any intimate relationship between couples. Even our sexual behavior is the same, limited to one's preference, regardless of our identity. In the last few years, I have become involved with the Quakers in the effort to achieve equal rights and protections for the GLBT community in Oregon, including marriage. But the issue is not just bestowing marriage rights or outlawing discrimination per se -- it is acknowledging and respecting our common humanity. And we, as a community, a state, a nation, will be stronger and more caring for the effort. It is necessary now for the straight community to "come out of our closets" and publicly speak up for equal rights to all.

--Robert M. Marvos

Bend, Oregon

Salem, Oregon

Produced byAtticus Circle and Soulforce

Produced by
Atticus Circle and Soulforce