This program really initiated a plethoria of emotions. Anger, excitment, sadness, hope, and loss. Thank you for your program and for having Mike Thompson on with you. He is an exceptional speaker and good spokesman for the Common Ground initiative. When I got angry with the representative for Sutherland Institute, Mr. Thompsons responses grounded me, and helped me see that this can be a discussion, not a fist fight. I think that it is about time something is done about rights for GLBT.
People need to be educated prior to making a firm decision regarding their views on gays & gay rights. Someone who is gay cannot change the fact that they are gay. They do not make a choice to be gay or not. To say that the sun can choose not to set today is ridiculous and irrational. The sun will set no matter how hard one tries to convince themselves (or the sun) that it doesn't need to set. This applies with people who are gay, they are who they are. This is who they are. No matter how hard they try or how hard someone tells them to change, it wont. People are setting out to determine that 99% of a gay individuals self worth is based on their sexual orientation. How can you deny someone of what makes them a human being?
Thinking of what it means to be gay may be different than what we are used to or it may feel uncomfortable at first, but that does not mean it is bad/wrong/immoral to be gay. If we all knew and loved someone who was GLBT our view would be very different than just shutting them out. We would demand the injustice to end.
Let us help those of us who are in need of protection under the law and grant them the simplest of human rights that we may take for granted.
Thank you for your various program subjects and for your part in the community - Utah Now.

Posted by Cherob Blessing, Friday February 6th, 2009 @ 8:24 pm

I find it to be somewhat embarrassing to admit that I am one of the 30% of the Utah citizens who is not related to nor knows someone who is GLBT. I also find it to be encouraging that Mike Thompson's words were able to reach someone like me through Utah Now.
When Mike spoke of hoping that "allys" like me can become engaged I began to think of how I could do my part. Surely I come into contact with other members in this 30% minority group. Maybe by stirring up a peaceful conversation I can reach one person who is on the fence. Thank you for presenting this issue in a way that has made me feel optimistic that I can make a difference. I look forward to the day when these issues are so far in the distant past that my children and grandchildren find it shocking that I can remember when people suffered such inequalities.

Posted by Katie Russell, Tuesday February 10th, 2009 @ 8:23 pm