Well, it took me a long time to figure out what to title this post.  I have written about my gay friends before, and I often tweet in support of LGBT organizations. But I have never put into writing why my support for gay rights is so strong.

First, before you jump to conclusions, I am not gay. Not even on my worst acid trip did I think about another man.  My friend Chloe calls me a “straight ally” – I like that! For me it is not a gay issue, but an issue of human rights.  We should be treating all people equal and helping all people – period!

Last winter shelter season I became friends with a young lesbian couple living on the streets. They were early 20s, sober, and always pleasant. They just fell on hard times and ended up homeless.  Our team tried hard to plug them into services. The Gay and Lesbian Center was full, normal nonprofit programs were full, and it is rare for a church to even help homeless people much less homosexual homeless people.  We tried and tried but all roads were a dead-end. Meanwhile, these two girls had to sleep outside or in winter emergency shelters. I was so frustrated and even more frustrated at my Christian faith I could still scream. It’s so sad that Jesus would help anyone and everyone but we (the church) pick and choose to help only those that believe like we do. Before I digress too far I honestly believe that one of the biggest issues with the church today is sheer ignorance to real compassion. But that’s another post.

If I were to list my heroes Chloe Noble would be right near the top. Chloe and her friend Jill Hardman walked 3,000 miles this past summer for LGBT homeless youth. They actually covered 6,000 miles total, yet what makes what they did so cool is they lived on the streets with homeless kids all over the country.  If you didn’t know 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. And I support anyone helping homeless kids – period! Check out this video they made in San Francisco that was posted on change.org.

A few months back I spoke at the University of Montana. Purposely I asked for an extended layover in Salt Lake City so I could meet Chloe in person. We have talked on the phone many times, I even financially support their cause, but we have never met in person.  This short video I recorded at the airport. I love this girl with all of my heart. She is a fighter and has a huge heart to help homeless youth.

Maybe you’ve seen me tweet this. Please know I am not just saying it, I live it:

“I don’t care who you worship or what you believe, I don’t care who you sleep with. If you are helping hurting people you’re my friend and I will support you”.

Please support Operation Shine’s Facebook Cause. I do!

And PLEASE for Christ sake (literally) stop arguing and start loving. If you are one of those religious Christians and this post made you mad, before you write scriptures in the comment section run and buy “Lord, Save Us From Your Followers”! Come on now, What Would Jesus Really Do?

In 2004 and 2005 I visited Southern Sudan.  That trip changed me in many ways. Mostly, I realized that like most American’s my world was really small, although I thought it was rather large.  I received a new paradigm about myself and our world.

This past week I was shook up again, and maybe even more so than my Sudan visits! I thought that social media and the internet have caused such globalization that the whole world is only a click away. In some ways it is. But in true American ignorance my world revolves around twitter and Facebook, so I thought that was everyone’s world. I didn’t know (I did, but never paid much attention) there are other social media sites like hi5 and orkut (and I am sure many more) that are more popular in other countries. I also never thought about people risking their lives to use social media

This past week at the Link Conference in Lima, Peru, my paradigms were slapped around once again. I was literally blown away by Rodrigo Diamanti and Oscar Morales. Both great men leading revolutions for freedom in their own countries. Here I am worried I had to take unpaid leave from work making my financial crisis even worse. But that is so minor compared to risking your life every time you use social media. These two men humbled me.  Along with Austin Heap and Kelly Golnoush Niknejad, who also take serious risks for what they believe and to fight for other’s freedoms, all my world got really small. And that is a very good thing! I need to be reminded often that the world really is bigger than me!

Many of you know I come out of the church marketing world. Interesting, most church marketing is selfish and dogmatic. Most church marketing is really not of God, but man trying to fill seats and increase revenue for one exclusive organization.  But every so often you’ll find a faith-based leader who really is about more than building a building. One such leader is Padre Piero Giacchetti , the visionary behind Link Organization.

From their website: (translated of course)

Link is a nonprofit organization that seeks to generate a change involving the youth in the solving the problems of society on the basis of responsible use of information technology and communications in a broader ethical, moral and transparent. Focuses its attention on the man and his training and comprehensive development, rather than just on technology or its features.

The following video is just a short interview with Padre Piero , Stephanie Rudat and the most wonderful Valerie Helou who is an amazing, gracious host. We were all tired after two long days so we didn’t get very involved. Given the chance I would really like to have a more in-depth interview. The openness and forward-thinking that created Link and the Link Conference are rarely seen.  The conference was not about Padre Piero’s church, or selling product. The conference was about finding equality on the internet. Plus, look at the speakers/topics! I am very impressed with a church making this all happen.

I am so very grateful to Stephanie Rudat for believing in me. She is amazing and is a catalyst for real change. After the conference Padre Piero Giacchetti treated us to a few days of adventure. We visited Cusco, Machu Picchu and even spent time white water rafting. I cannot speak for anyone else,  but given the madness of my last thee years I felt like I was living a dream. It truly was an experience of a lifetime. Valerie Helou, Francisco Revoredo and Alejandro Arana Bellido took excellent care of us and we all became family.