We Belong
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- JoeWilson
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Homophobia is one of the last "permissible" forms of prejudice. Its effects are especially acute for youth, who often suffer alone and in silence. Two thirds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth experience harassment or violence in school, and the suicide rate for this group is four times the average.
When C.J. Bills is gay bashed in the school locker room, then arrested for disorderly conduct because he protests to an administrator about the harassment he has experienced, he decides to fight back by making a documentary about discrimination. With his family's help, he also initiates an investigation by the state human rights commission and shames the school district into developing an anti-bullying and diversity training program.
C.J.'s documentary project also leads him to Tim Dahle, a former high school student who challenged the years of anti-gay harassment he suffered in a neighboring town. In Tim's case, the school district that failed to protect him agreed to one of the largest sexual harassment settlements in history, sending a signal to school districts around the country that such behavior can be costly.
We Belong demonstrates that young people have the power to change their communities and the world, and that helping youth to tell their stories, in their own way and on camera, is enlightening, empowering, and effective.
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- On Current TV, Intro, LGBT, cultural film, 6 more
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- tags:
- On Current TV, LGBT, Intro, Outro, 9 more
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GeneralRoshambo
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George Forester was one of the most despicable individuals I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. His discrimination is to my knowledge still going on to this day, and he even got promoted to full blown principal. I would like nothing more for that school than to see him fired. Especially after seeing this, and hearing about the physical damage that he did to another student in his own office.
- 2 years ago
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GeneralRoshambo
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MistressOfJade
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I 100 percent agree homophobia is a taught trait... Just like it's been proven any other kind of discrimination is TAUGHT, not born with. But small minded people are so hard to change, and I am so sick of them saying the reason it is wrong is "It's nasty, it's gross." Ugh come ON people. That is so IDIOTIC. And then of course RELIGION plays a role... but if I remember correctly, the Bible says DON'T JUDGE... and that's exactly what they are doing.
- 2 years ago
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MistressOfJade
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ant_factor
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I want to see more videos like these - confronting the bigoted underbelly of our culture. For it is only through revelation that we, as a species can find salvation and empathy.
- 2 years ago
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ant_factor
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whoo
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I loved this piece. it's a story worth telling. I was moved to tears by tim dahle's father, who after 40 years of homophobia,had the courage to re-evaluate his belief system and emerge a better person for it.
- 2 years ago
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whoo
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luvtuch
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People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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onhere2cu
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I was proud of the teens that took action against hate crimes in the schools. As a teen in high school 39 years ago I was fixing to be, what is called with an animal, fixed by two grown men. One of the gentlemen was 19 yrs older than myself. The principle walked into where this almost happened, and stopped the event from taking place. Next day nothing was said, and i had no one to talk to about this. The principle acted as if nothing ever happened, and that in turn made me go deeper into the closet. Fear dominated my life for the next 35 yrs until I got help to overcome that period of my life. The fear cost me everything as far as education was concerned, and that cost me a better life. Never once did I think of doing what the teens did in their situation. Again, I am so proud of what they did.
- 2 years ago
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onhere2cu
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luvtuch
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onhere2cu:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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agobble
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Thanks for doing this! This needs to be in the media more.
- 2 years ago
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agobble
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luvtuch
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agobble:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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galleriajantonio
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I am just so moved by the hards work and courage these two teens have.
I think this should be shown at all the local schools in New York /Calif and just about everywhere
Jesse - 2 years ago
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galleriajantonio
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luvtuch
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galleriajantonio:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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FHSgrad08
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I am also a recent FHS graduate, and along with mama_stef, I also have gay & bisexual friends. And they as well have had their share of name calling. I've never once heard of this documentary, until today. And I think that C.J was right to make this documentary. It makes him a stronger person, and all of those who were in it as well. But there is one thing I do not agree with when mama_stef says "I am not afraid to say: C.J. Bills, you give Franklin High School a bad name." I don't think he does give FHS a bad name. I think it was wrong of Mr. Forester and other FHS teachers to not do a thing when he came to them. As for having C.J arrested and saying that HE was the troulbe maker, pisses me off. I know how crude high schoolers can be. And it sickens me that our guidance counselors didn't do a damn thing to help him! Yes, FHS has it's ups && downs, but this has got to be the worst by far.
- 3 years ago
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FHSgrad08
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luvtuch
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FHSgrad08:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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mama_stef
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Hey, y'all, I am a recent graduate of Frankiln High School and I am NOT gay, just for the record. In the four years that I went to FHS, including being a peer of CJ, I never once heard of a gay individual being beaten. Trust me, if there was ever a fight, EVERYBODY heard about it. In fact, one year we had over a dozen fights in the halls, and 90% of them were between non-gay GIRLS. I have gay and bisexual friends from FHS, and I know that some of them were mildly discriminated against; by this I mean being called names and not much else. And as far as Mr. Forester goes, he is now the principal and, I may say, a very personable individual. The new assistant principal, however, is quite worse than the documentary tries to make Mr. Forester out to be.
I remember when this documentary came out, but I hadn't seen it until just today, when I came across it on accident. I am accepting of different lifestyles and certaintly don't discriminate against gays or lesbians, but to hear my school and my principal bashed unfairly turns my stomach. I'm all about exposing the truth, but this documentary completely ignores a very important aspect: the view of other students. This is a completely biased view of an isolated incident that nobody even knew happened.
Freedom of speech is guaranteed in our constitution, and so I am not afraid to say: C.J. Bills, you give Franklin High School a bad name. - 3 years ago
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mama_stef
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mun
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mama_stef:
The real victim in this case it C.J. After all he was the one who was harassed, bashed, and arrested. Keep it real.
Just because you didn't hear of any of the incidents - does not mean they didn't happen. Obviously, something did happen, hence all the commotion. And one incident is enough to cause outrage.
Your comments that Forester is personable. Most bigots are personable to the people they accept - it is when they act/treat differently towards others based on sexual orientation, race, gender, national origin etc.. - This is called discrimination.
Sorry, it is hard to feel any sorrow for your homophobic principal.
- 2 years ago
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mun
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luvtuch
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mama_stef:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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ant_factor
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mama_stef:
It's hard not to feel that you are in utter denial of your co-students tribulations. Just because you didn't directly hear or see something doesn't mean it didn't happen. The fact that school administrators were (clearly) afraid to make any statements on camera is a healthy indicator that they knew something was wrong with all of this. I'm elated to know the parents of this child won the suit against the school. The biggest crime in Americas culture is denial, as it keeps us all in a State of Ignorance.
- 2 years ago
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ant_factor
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GeneralRoshambo
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mama_stef:
FHS had a bad name way before this video man. Homophobia is just one of the terrible things about it. They hate all minorities there. Way too many rednecks for my taste. They say that high school is supposed to be the greatest time of your life, but I really don't see how. Probably because the school was total crap.
I really don't see how this video has any bias to it at all. Forester is in fact a homophobe. That is the truth, and there is no denying it.
- 2 years ago
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GeneralRoshambo
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dilbert16588
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didn't know this was happening the area... congrats to you for sticking up and fighting this... most wouldn't have even bother... keep it up and good luck with everything!
mike deibert
clarion univ senior - 3 years ago
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dilbert16588
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luvtuch
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dilbert16588:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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sonoway
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I was absolutely delighted with this pod. Living in a rural town in Ohio for 7 years, I can understand the discrimination against people who are not "normal". Being a Hispanic (Puerto Rican to be exact), being thrown burritos and told to go back to Mexico where I came from, it can get really bad! Thanks a bunch for this pod. It shows, just how much America still needs to work on, to truly live up to its pledge of allegiance:
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
- 3 years ago
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sonoway
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luvtuch
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sonoway:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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allanah
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i think this was an awesome video!i love how your standing up for what you believe in it really speaks out to people!!!!! i dont think you remember me but i use to go there but moved at the end of freshman yr. and im glad your going to show Forester whats up. Good luck with your documentary and i cant wait to see it!
- 3 years ago
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allanah
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luvtuch
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allanah:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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luvtuch
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allanah:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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kibiyama
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This quote struck me:
"I truly do think that homophobia could be erased through education. You're not born a homophobic, you're taught it."
It's almost the same verbiage the homophobes use against gay people. Rather eerie.
- 3 years ago
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kibiyama
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luvtuch
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kibiyama:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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sk8ter
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Great story. Unfortunately, people who share the values and ideologies that homophobes do are the same people who affect not just issues in their hometown, but also on a national level. They also participate in the voting process, one of the single most important things this country decides on! Tsk Tsk Titusville!
- 3 years ago
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sk8ter
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luvtuch
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sk8ter:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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ijk
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these stories are not publicized enough. there needs to be a huge public outcry enormous enough to shake this nation to its very roots, to rattle people out of their minds so they realize that discrimination, regardless of what kind, is WRONG. thanks for being brave enough to speak up. i owe you. i didn't have enough guts to come out in high school because i was afraid of this exact kind of persecution. good luck with your documentary.
p.s. i hope this doesn't sound frivolous in comparison to the great significance of this story , but what is the name of the song in the pod? thanks.
- 3 years ago
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ijk
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luvtuch
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ijk:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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iknew
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And i thought it was bad when they suspended me for an unopened water bottle in the hallway. That school has mine bested. Schools and people do anything to just keep people silent.
- 3 years ago
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iknew
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luvtuch
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iknew:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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huntre
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My heart goes out to anyone who suffers due to a lifestyle beyond a perceived "Norm".
Excellent pod. - 3 years ago
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huntre
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luvtuch
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huntre:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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achromatic
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can't wait to see the documentary
- 3 years ago
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achromatic
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luvtuch
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achromatic:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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Fhay_A
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What's the worst harassment you had to endure in high school?
- 4 years ago
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Fhay_A
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luvtuch
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Fhay_A:
People attack the things they are afraid to accept. The reality is, ignorance and denial is killing out our people. Homosexuality is as real as drunkeness, and if we accept drunkeness, which at times leads to lives lost, then we should accept 2 of the same sex being in love. I'm fighting for this cause and guys like C.J. & Tim. check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/youthmotivator and keep in contact with me via email send comment, suggestions, ideas, anything to denopellis@live.com thanks
- 2 years ago
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luvtuch
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PridEKidd
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Fhay_A:
I was pushed down stairs after breaking my neck, i was beat up on a daily basis before, during and after school..my clothes were takin from me in gym class and put in the shower...die fag die was scrwled onto my home..u name it...
- 2 years ago
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PridEKidd
