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Here are some ways I support what I believe:

• I speak against anti-queer prejudice whenever and wherever I hear it. This was true even while I was Latter-day Saint (Mormon). (See my Political & Religious beliefs.)

• I spoke at UC-Berkeley's Matthew Shepard speak-out rally, and I joined the UC-Berkeley Matthew Shepard candle light vigil and march.

• I participated in the 1998 national GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) three-day conference. You can visit GLSEN's web site at http://www.glsen.org or click GLSEN

• In high school, before there was a queer group on campus, I was published in our paper. I argued the military should not be allowed on our public campus because they discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation. I wrote that young queer people are already vulnerable to societal pressures, and it was unconscionable for our school to allow a group on campus that furthers prejudice against our students.

• I wrote a similar commentary for my community college newspaper while I worked on it. The difference was, I stayed away from my opinion and stated the law. The law of my community college said people could not be discriminated against based on sexual orientation, and that organizations that discriminated against students would not be allowed on campus. California law allows sexual activity between members of the same sex. I wrote these things, and said the government was contradicting itself - military against state. I stated that, until the military aligned itself with our state and school law, it should be banned from recruiting on campus.

• I joined discussions, supporting non-heterosexual orientations in addition to heterosexual orientation.
  I participated in an informal debate with a young Republicans group.
  I engaged a vocal, anti-gay, military man in earnest conversation - and actually got somewhere! I have found that by being open to others and listening to them, understanding can result. Sometimes people are not against gays, but against promiscuity - and don't separate one from the other.

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