Zack Wyatt, I salute you.

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Wyatt’s writing on the recent controversial (and outrageous) Missouri ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill:

Leadership is what our state greatly needs right now. The foundation of my party has always been individual equality and freedom. The very foundations of a free society are individual rights and the resulting responsibilities. I have come to realize that being involved in politics is like living in a glass house. Not only are many aspects of your life open to public scrutiny and discussion, but I have found myself having to inspect my own life in the same detailed manner. Some aspects of my life that I have even hidden from myself have become evident.

I do not wish to make the mistake of following, rather than leading again. As such, I am compelled to speak out against my colleagues who have sponsored and pushed House Bill 2051. This bill, which has garnered national attention, has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. I have become tired and frustrated with the bigotry on gay issues from both sides of the isle. Homosexuality is not a Republican or Democrat issue, and should not be portrayed as such. Students not only need, but have a right to feel safe with the go to school. They should be able to speak with teachers, counselors, or administrators when they get bullied. This bill would make that illegal.

The point is so simple, yet Republicans and their assembled sycophants deny it for the opportunity to spit in the faces of LGBT people.  Can we get more Republicans who aren’t puppets of ALEC, please?

I’m not sure who in the Republican Party honestly thinks this is a good idea, but if anyone has a moment today, I’d appreciate you contacting them to voice your opposition to this bill and the absurd notion that monogamous relationships between men are equal to goat fucking.

But it’s okay, because old Dwight here has friends who are gay.

To say that I’m profoundly disappointed would be a pretty severe understatement.  This bill, and others like it, are an outrage, and I wish we had legislators in Missouri who had higher priorities than exploiting their positions to marginalize and insult the LGBT community.

What really worries me is that we’ve seen similar polices, from the tragedies in Minnesota to the rash of suicides across the nation, that polices like this not only contribute to a culture that poisons the lives of gay teens and their families, but prevent teachers, administrators and other educators from taking the steps necessary to stop it. They end up untrained because of the intentionally ambiguous nature of these laws and made to fear for their jobs if they do the right thing and punish bullies in their schools. And, as if that isn’t enough, this bill also deliberately seeks to destroy the gay-straight alliances that offer support and friendship to gay students. 

I’d really appreciate it if everyone who reads this takes a few minutes to write the sponsor of the bill, Steve Cookson (Steve.Cookson@house.mo.gov ) and let him know your opposition to it.

Followers, I’d also appreciate a signal boost very much. The bill number is HB-2051.