Equality On Trial

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• 1. Rhie  |  November 12, 2010 at 8:52 am

  Oh dear. That is horrible. It Gets Better is not my favorite project in the world, but at least it's positive. That host is completely out of line.

• 2. Richard W. Fitch  |  November 12, 2010 at 8:53 am

  Seems like shades of Don Imus to me…….

• 3. Justin  |  November 12, 2010 at 8:57 am

  LOL, oh man. Anderson Cooper is going to mop the floor with this idiot. I can't wait.

• 4. Alan E.  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:07 am

  Chris Krok is a douchenozzle. I shouldn't call people names, but he is one.

• 5. allen  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:12 am

  Just curious, what are your criticisms about the project? How do you believe it can be improved?

  Not trying to argue, I just think it has been a great campaign. Everyone is talking about it and even other people who feel discriminated against are adopting the message (saw a story on the news about disabled people spreading the 'it gets better' message.)

• 6. Ronnie  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:17 am

  I love the "It Gets Better" Project…& this whack job just proves that the majority of the bullies never grow up….<3…Ronnie

• 7. Spencer Wulwick  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:18 am

  This guy (other than being the scum of the earth) is also a hypocrite. He's talking about how Joel Burns was "not on target" and should be talking about more important things.

  Well at least Joel did it in an effort to help other people. It was not about "me, me, me" no matter how many times he used the word. It was about people who are being tormented and tortured by the likes of Chris Krok.

  But Chris himself, dedicated his show to what SOMEONE ELSE did that, in fact, was courageous.

  What did Chris say that was courageous? NOT A DAMN THING! If other issues are soooo important, then why the "h" isn't Chris talking about those issues – instead of trying to become known by grabbing on to the coat tails of someone else.

  If it hadn't been for Chris' disgusting behavior – that brought attention to himself – I would never have heard of him.

  Now, I despise Chris and his kind – and think extremely poorly of the Texas radio station that would allow a "Hitler-like" person to have access to the airwaves.

  SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!

• 8. Ronnie  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:19 am

  P.S. Joel Burns is a hero…& this Chris guy is just jealous….<3…Ronnie

• 9. Mark M. (Seattle)  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:21 am

  Really???
  What about 'It Gets Better" don't you like?
  What is your favorite project?

• 10. Ann S.  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:27 am

  Shameful.

• 11. Chris B  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:41 am

  True, the average person's boss wouldn't tell everyone when/why that person was reprimanded, but this guy made comments to the public. Those comments reflect on the radio station and it's management. Normally when things like this happen, the station issues a CYA statement. ("We don't agree with statements made by…"; "His comments don't reflect the views of the station management…"; "While we respect his first-amendment rights…" blah, blah, blah.

  Chris Kroc was just trying to get attention. That's what people in the media do. It's all about getting listeners and ratings. He made a really bad decision this time.

  As for the "me, me, me" comments, I guess Chris doesn't get it that IGB is about people sharing their own personal stories so that struggling kids out there can relate and have some hope.

• 12. Manilow  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:43 am

  Joel's message wasn't for himself – it was a message to the young people in his district. I thought it was one of the bravest moves a politician has made in quite a while – especially in Texas, which this story only proves is less than accepting.

• 13. JonT  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:46 am

  Nah, some people earn it. Asshat would be another good name for him…

  Personally, I think he's just jealous of the attention. Joel is a good man. Krok is an asshat. Sometimes reality is hard to accept

• 14. Sean  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:49 am

  (Just emailed to Catlin):

  Mr. Catlin,

  I wish to express both my disgust and outrage in response to the hateful, ignorant, and dangerous comments made by host Chris Krok in today's KILF broadcast. It is bad enough he said such things; what makes it even worse is that he found it appropriate to say such bigotted and irresponsible things now, knowing several teenagers around the nation have committed suicide because of people like him, people who targetted them simply because of their sexual orientation. People like Krok are the reason so many LGBT youth are forced to suffer in every day society. This speaks poorly for your business. I expect, at the very least, a public apology for the harm done and a denouncement of Krok's hateful comments.

  Thank you.

• 15. Michelle Evans  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:58 am

  Yes, but don't insult a poor defenseless douchenozzle!

• 16. book in tract  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:58 am

  I couldn't even get through the 7 minutes of tape. Chris could be the next 'voice of NOM.' After the elections, this is the rhetoric we'll be hearing all that much more of, I'm afraid. Where do these people get their hate and lack of empathy?? Very sad and disturbing.

• 17. Sagesse  |  November 12, 2010 at 10:11 am

  Subscribing to watch… if I can stand it… later.

• 18. Richard A. Walter (s  |  November 12, 2010 at 11:56 am

  Gee, this particular radio host proves that those who are euphemistically called "bullies" don't seem to grow out of their ways of verbal and/or physical assault and battery combined with harassment. If I were the general manager of that station, Krok would have been fired, and the ESC would have been notified of the reason before he even got there to apply for unemployment, so that they would know he was terminated for just cause.

• 19. Tony  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:17 pm

  Oh and Krok has CONTINUALLY engaged in gay-bashing over the last 6 months. Specifically he followed up the Burns attack daily for the rest of the week. I have the show recorded to prove it.
  Also here's the list of the advertisers that run spots from 4 to 7 on KLIF:

  99cent Only Store
  Advanced Auto Parts
  All Pro Foundation
  Allay Bank
  American Leak Detection
  ATT
  Autozone
  Avery A/C
  Boothe Eye Care
  CC Carpet
  Competitive Camera
  Dart.org/statefair
  Efficient Attic Systems
  Fort Worth Gun Show
  Geico
  Granbury Dental
  Greatcreditforlife.com
  John Eagle Honda
  Joseph A Bank
  Just Brakes
  Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center (lasersurgery.com)
  Martin Birnbach: mb@executiverecruiter.com
  McShan Floriist
  Meador Dodge
  NTAA (Toll Tag)
  One Hour Heating & A/C
  Regius Financial
  Reliant A/C
  Shamonique
  Showtime Exteriors
  Slickting Group
  Slim4Life http://www.slimdfw.com
  Statewide Remodeling
  Sweet Tomatoes
  Take 5 Birkenstock
  Target
  Texaslending.com
  Titan Fence
  Tom Thumb
  Toyota

• 20. Tony  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:23 pm

  These advertisers have actually done live spots with Krok so they KNOW what kind of garbage they are sponsoring.
  Starpower is the worst – David Pidgeon is the owner and has had Krok out to his North Dallas store several times for live remotes with food catered by Sweet Tomatoes. Mr Pidgeon, you wouldn't happen to have many gay customers coming to your Dallas stores to buy $10K worth of home theater equipment would you?

  David Pidgeon of Starpower
  Tony Cooper of All-Pro Foundation Repair
  Jim Pisoni of DFW Gun Range
  Larry Chase of Freeman Mazda
  Marty Drake of American Enerpower
  John Atcheley of Credit Talk USA
  Steve Davis of The Real Estate Investor Radio Show

• 21. Tony  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:29 pm

  I think he gets it from his God since he's constantly preaching how God rules his life and how the rest of us are going to hell.

• 22. Tigger  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:29 pm

  That dude reminds me of the secretly gay bully on Glee. Dude really with all that?

• 23. Dave in ME  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:30 pm

  I haven't listened to this yet, but I know, from listening to Don Imus for many years, that he is not an enemy to teh gays. He may not be the poster child for smiling politically correct media people, but he is still okay.

  Dave in Maine

• 24. Jamie McGonnigal  |  November 12, 2010 at 12:58 pm

  Tony,

  Do you have recordings of him following up on the Joel Burns story? If so, can you email me them so I can add them to the original story?

  talkaboutequality@gmail.com

  I will also be adding these business' names and any contact info I can find for them.

  Thanks!!!
  Jamie

• 25. grod  |  November 12, 2010 at 1:19 pm

  Are many trackers having fun name calling an unlike person who holds different views. He is an 'idiot'; 'douche nozzle'; 'wackjob'; 'assha't;' bully'; 'scum of the earth'; and 'Hitler-like person'. I thought one attacks the argument, but not the person.

• 26. Kathleen  |  November 12, 2010 at 2:07 pm

  Can't listen. I'm sure it's awful.

• 27. celdd  |  November 12, 2010 at 2:31 pm

  LA Times report Harris for AG for CA has regained the leand by a few hundered votes.

  The lead is expected to go back and forth. They anticipate having the votes counted by the end of the month.
  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/har…

• 28. Tony  |  November 12, 2010 at 2:48 pm

  Jamie, Yes I do. I'll email you a link to them.

• 29. Jason  |  November 12, 2010 at 3:42 pm

  Went to the KILF website. It looks like a FOX affiliate. These people don't care what anyone thinks outside of their listening audience which by the way 75% of think Obama is Muslim according to their stupid ignorant online poll. Makes me physically ill.

• 30. JonT  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm

  Ok grod, I'll bite.

  What exactly is his argument?

  Some people you can discuss things/argue with.

  Others, you just flip-off and then you move on with your life.

  I think he fits in the later category.

• 31. Felyx  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:12 pm

  I wrote my dutiful letter to the Radio station. Writing all these sponsors and advertisers will be a chore. Would be cool if there are more addresses put out to make it easier for each of us to lend a voice and tell the advertisers and sponsors what we think.

  Will work more on this tomorrow. Felyx

• 32. JonT  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:31 pm

  I also got this amusing email from Eugene Delgaudio, I thought was interesting. He's been begging for money for awhile now (well, always since I got on his list).

  Here's part of his latest plea:

  'When I told you this lame duck session would be dangerous, I meant it.

  Nancy Pelosi is looking to use her last days as Speaker of the House to solidify her legacy with the homosexual lobby by ramming the Gay Bill of Special Rights through Congress in the Lame Duck.

  You see, the pro-family congressman and senators we just elected don't take office until January.

  Pelosi and the Homosexual Lobby know this may be their last chance to pass this immoral piece of legislation for several years.

  And while we may not be able stop the Gay Bill of Special Rights in the House, we CAN win in the Senate.

  You see, Public Advocate has identified 6 fence-sitting Senators who hold the potential to kill or pass this bill.

  And Public Advocate is preparing to launch a massive internet Banner Bomb campaign on Wednesday designed to create massive pro-family opposition to the Gay Bill of Special Rights.

  Which is why Public Advocate absolutely must raise $24,000 by midnight Tuesday to get this Banner Bomb up and running.

  Please chip in with a donation of at least $10 right away by clicking here.

  The Senate targets we have identified are Sen. Nelson (D-FL), Sen. Tester (D-MT), Sen. Casey (D-PA), Sen. Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Nelson (D-NE), and Sen. Macnhin (D-WV).

  These individuals may be the key to stopping the Gay Bill of Special Rights from passing the Senate and destroying our very way of life.

  If passed, the Gay Bill of Special Rights would create a multitude of new laws forcing churches, businesses, private schools and daycares to hire radical homosexuals or face fines and possible jail time.

  The places you and I find comfort in free from the immoral persuasions of the Homosexual Agenda will cease to exist.

  Which is why Public Advocate is doing everything in its power to stop the Gay Bill of Special Rights.

  If we reach our goal, our Banner Bomb will blanket the states of our Senate targets and create endless phone calls and fax petitions directed and urging a pro-family vote.

  Will you help Public Advocate reach its goal of $24,000?

  …
  '

  There's another asshat for you grod. Want to debate LGBT issues with him?

  PS: This is a cut/paste – all spelling errors in the quoted text are his.

• 33. Ronnie  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:39 pm

  Video Testimony for today, Day 11 of the Civil Rights Fast being done by Alan Bounville, was just posted on YouTube….Lt. Dan Choi visited with Alan today…that was nice to hear…..<3…Ronnie:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTf6MBvwvrM&fe…

• 34. Joe  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:46 pm

  The First Amendment covers your ass from being sanctioned by the government. By a private employer? Your ass if so not covered!!

• 35. Joe  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:48 pm

  I'll bite: "He who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know no murderer has eternal life in him." 1 John 3:15.

  If he's going to cite the bible, worry about the souls of the bullies, not the bullied!

• 36. Joe  |  November 12, 2010 at 4:52 pm

  http://theoatmeal.com/comics/literally

  I totally want a Gayroller 2000!

• 37. Straight Ally #3008  |  November 12, 2010 at 5:33 pm

  Shorter Chris Krok: "Me, me, me!"

• 38. Tony  |  November 12, 2010 at 5:39 pm

  I've posted some verses on his blog and asked him to explain his hypocrisy and he conveniently declines to approve those posts. He's a Glen Beck wannabe and does the same shtick.

• 39. Caitly  |  November 12, 2010 at 6:52 pm

  Most of the videos of the project (including Dan Savage's original) represent the most privileged of the gay community – the white, upper-middle-class, cisgendered, homonormative kids who GOT to leave their bigoted hometowns and families and communities and go to college or somewhere better.
  The poor kids who are trapped in their hometown and in their bigoted homes due to their socioeconomic status are not spoken to. The genderqueer kids are not spoken to. For plenty of people who are not in Savage's and Burns's priveleged category, it does not just magically get better for. For many, they're going to have to be dealing with bigotry and hate and hardship their whole life – who's going to speak to them?

  That's the problem with 'It gets better' It does clearly do a lot of good, however, some people who watch those videos are just going to want to kill themselves more because it reminds them of the ways in which they are that much worse off than those other kids who wanted to kill themselves.

• 40. Phil L  |  November 12, 2010 at 8:13 pm

  Here we go: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FIRE-Chris-Krok/126…

  Spread the word and let us take care of this Clint McCance style.

• 41. BK  |  November 12, 2010 at 9:05 pm

  *thumbs up* on this post.

• 42. Sagesse  |  November 12, 2010 at 11:34 pm

  "If passed, the Gay Bill of Special Rights would create a multitude of new laws forcing churches, businesses, private schools and daycares to hire radical homosexuals or face fines and possible jail time."

  But it only protects 'radical homosexuals'…. wonder how that works. Oh, and if they're blanketing the world with ads, they might want to get the name of the bill right.

• 43. Ronnie  |  November 12, 2010 at 11:39 pm

  That would be correct if the "It Gets Better" Project was a paid gig…but it isn't…It is a volunteer project…& the videos are diverse…I posted the NYC Youth Pride Chorus "It Gets Better" video on Thursday filled with people of color, The videos from Gap employees, Facebook employees, Google Employees, Broadway stars of every shape, color, gender, & orientation…I posted an "It Gets Better" video created by a young teacher who is not only a Gay man but deaf (hearing impaired) as well

  A lot of people have done the videos for this project…a YouTube channel can only hold 650 videos….so people have them on their own channels, their own accounts….there are 1,050,000 results when you search "It Gets Better" on YouTube…..

  This is better then saying nothing…do nothing…acting like the homophobic bigots who are just acting as if it doesn't exist or blaming the victim….

  & sorry but people are speaking to them….you don't have to be exactly like the person to speak to them & let them know that "It Gets Better" & that they are important…that they are loved…NOBODY has the same exact path…the connection is supposed to be…nay is always…that we are ALL Human…stop putting superficial expectations on things such as this…it diminishes the meaning of the project…..<3…Ronnie

• 44. Ronnie  |  November 12, 2010 at 11:58 pm

  Openly Gay Orthodox Jews….say "It Gets Better"…..<3…Ronnie:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytzzq9rwhQA

• 45. Tasty Salamanders  |  November 13, 2010 at 12:04 am

  If you are saying we shouldn't resort to Ad hominem attacks, well there is a bit of a fine line between what is ad hominem and what isn't.

  "Is person is a homophobe so his arguments are invalid"
  or
  "Is person is a douche so his arguments are invalid"
  Are ad hominem.

  "This person is a douche because he is a homophobe"
  Is not ad hominem.

  While you never actually said the term I felt it was implied so I thought I should just clear that up.

• 46. David in Houston  |  November 13, 2010 at 12:16 am

  I had to stop listening after about 3 minutes. Truly one of the most homophobic and hate-filled diatribes I've heard in a long time. Half of me wants to cry, because bigoted people like him will never be tolerant of gay people. The other half of me wants to beat the living crap out of him for being such an f-ing a-hole. Does anyone have a coin I can flip?

  The part that REALLY pissed me off was his tirade about how Joel and his husband aren't really married. Because in Texas, homophobic jerks like him feel perfectly justified in discriminating against people just because of their sexual orientation. It makes me sick to my stomach that truly evil people like Chris Krok are allowed to marry and breed more bigoted offspring that will further poison our society. It's like the cycle of hate and intolerance will never end. Very sad.

• 47. celdd  |  November 13, 2010 at 2:17 am

  Well said Ronnie. I enjoy your posts and input to the site.

• 48. Tomato  |  November 13, 2010 at 2:56 am

  Caitly, can you post a link for us to the "It Gets Better" video you made addressing these kids?

• 49. Tomato  |  November 13, 2010 at 2:58 am

  Jealous, and in all likelihood a desperate and needy closet case.

  As we've seen over and over again: the most vocal homophobes are repressed and hidden gays.

• 50. Tomato  |  November 13, 2010 at 3:06 am

  He probably won't breed much. He's clearly a closet-case.

• 51. BK  |  November 13, 2010 at 4:30 am

  His whiney voice made me want to bash my head in. (imho)

• 52. Joel  |  November 13, 2010 at 5:32 am

  Class continues to be the most forbidden topic in North America. The way in which the rich have waged a successful "class war" on everyone else is ignored. Too many people get enough crumbs to buy their allegiance to a corrupt system. They either see or have a visceral awareness of just how far down one can fall or rather be thrown if the power elite is crossed. There is nothing to do except keep struggling and to keep trying to raise awareness. It is a multigenerational task.

• 53. BK  |  November 13, 2010 at 5:46 am

  I'm confused a bit by the fast. Is it like a month-long event, or is he really going to starve himself to death?

• 54. Chris  |  November 13, 2010 at 6:53 am

  I sent an email and pasted it here:

  Dear Mr. Catlin

  I am appalled at the comments made by your radio host Chris Krok against Joel Burns. Regardless of how he feels personally towards the LGBT community, his public comments are unacceptable for various reasons. First, his comments reinforce the bullying ethic towards the LGBT community. Second, his actions ARE bullying as they are intended to insult and inflict emotional harm on Joel Burns who is an open member of the LGBT community. Third, it is the responsibility of the radio station to set policies which allow this behavior and since your station allows this behavior than your station is accomplice to his bullying.

  Before you say, oh 1st amendment, free speech, he has the right to say what he want, I want you to ask yourself one question: IF, these comments were made toward a member of the African American community, would they be handles in the same way? Bigotry is bigotry no matter what minority group it is aimed towards and there are no acceptable forms of bigotry. If you support bigotry like we have heard from mr Krok, then I expect nothing with be done to address this, but if you do not, then you must address it as you would if any other minority group were the victim.

  Thank you for your time

  Sincerely,

• 55. Bob  |  November 13, 2010 at 7:38 am

  BK your confusion is welcomed and appreciated, it means you've taken this action into your awareness, and as yet have not been able to respond personally, go to the website on the poster he's holding, there's another thread on here where a facilitator for the movement has linked to more information.

  On a very smple level, he's focusing atttention on his Senator in New york Senator Gillibrand, her phone number is 212-688-6262 the othe day that office also gave me the number for John Baugh in D.C. he's a legislative aide 202-224-4451

  when you look at this action you can react with judgement, and form a decision re not getting involved, or simply call the number 212-688-6262 and ask to speak to the senator, likely you'll be told she isn't available then you need to ask to leave her a message, if you are talking to a person, mention, Amendment to the Civil Rights Bill to include sexual orientaiton, and Alan's fast, it'sa very simple action anyone can do, even easier if you do it off hours leave a message on a recording,

  further you don';t even have to tell anyone you did this, but when you really think about what Alan is doing, and if he did harm himself or continue the fast till he died, after that, in your own mind you can say I did something……

  just try to imagine 11 days without eating, Alan has the support of a dr. but just try and imagine the determination, he basically has already shown seriousness around the whole purpose of experiencing a fast, which puts NOM's idea, of eating one less dessert to make room for God, to shame. HERE MAGGIE see a real fast.

  Again he's drawn attention to his action for the purpose of focusing attention on getting people to make a phone call to Senator Gillbrand who is in a position to file a bill in the legislature to Amend the Civil Rights Act to include LGBT call 212-688-6262 and ask her to do that…….simple

• 56. JonT  |  November 13, 2010 at 7:45 am

  Yeah, he's a special type of nutcase. He 'renames' all of the pro-gay bills. I believe he called the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Act the "Homosexual Thought Crimes Act", or some such nonsense.

  But this is how he makes a living.

• 57. JonT  |  November 13, 2010 at 7:45 am

  I'll take one!

• 58. This is not OK  |  November 13, 2010 at 7:51 am

  The advertisers (listed above) need to be

  1. educated

  and, if they don't respond (by retreating from the DJ, and preferably the whole station)

  2. boycotted the hell out of.

  This is a matter quite worthy of a huge, huge stink.

  How does the station manager sleep at night?

• 59. Tim in Sonoma  |  November 13, 2010 at 8:21 am

  One reason I have personally dubbed the state of Texas as
  "The Hate State"
  This guy is nothing more than a bully him self!

• 60. Tony  |  November 13, 2010 at 8:50 am

  Not sure how the station manager sleeps at night but
  the program director who was in charge when Krok got here from Macon GA last March mysteriously died in his sleep a few weeks after Krok arrived.
  http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/ob…

• 61. Tony  |  November 13, 2010 at 8:53 am

  Even his industry peers can't stand him.
  http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=…
  http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=…

• 62. Nadia Oh  |  November 13, 2010 at 9:02 am

  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_1610312…

  Facebook page to express your feelings

• 63. Ed-M  |  November 13, 2010 at 9:41 am

  And the soft bigots will say condescending drivel like "First you need to win the hearts and minds of the American people." Who are being propagandized by obvious bigots like this Krok guy here.

• 64. Joel  |  November 13, 2010 at 10:41 am

  My email to Mr. Catlin at the station:

  Regarding Mr.Krok's remarks on your radio station. First I have friends both from and in Texas.

  I have been a registered nurse for 20+ years and in my profession you are not allowed to hit the patients. Period. Not even once. If you have a psychological problem which overwhelmed you at work you might (because of good union) be given a leave of absence to receive counseling and treatment with the possiblity of returning to work at the end of it all.

  It would not be a private matter because nurses deal with the public and the College of Registered Nurses monitors and regulates the performance of nurses. You probably don't have a similar body.

  Mr. Krok is either a cynical person using his inflammatory speech to further his career or a homophobic individual who needs help to deal with his condition. Virtually all of the secure heterosexual individuals of my acquaintence have a completely neutral response to homosexuality. It is a quality like race, eye color, body size or other simliar attribute. It doesn't threaten, upset, or enrage them.

  Of course Mr. Krok has the right to say whatever he feels like. The way to deal with ignorance is not to stifle its expression. I also have a right to tell your sponsors (which I intend to do in detail) what I think of their being associated with either Mr. Krok or depending on your response as a media outlet, your radio station. I am sure Mr. Krok will be offered a job by some homophobic outlet somewhere else.

  There are not a lot of options available to you. Full public apology might do the trick but I probably would take a lot of convincing to believe in its sincerity.

  In the Sacramento market there were a couple of morning deejays who had a rather ribald program who made a whole series of ignorant, hateful and inflammatory remarks about transgendered people. The community rose up and as a result the two individuals had a transgendered person on their program and opened their minds. They were genuinely apologetic and understood that they just simply were shooting their mouths off about something about which they knew nothing except for a handful of popular, bigoted stereotypes. It was a memorable event having people publically change their minds when they received missing information. So it can be done.

  The impression I get of your fellow there is that he is an opportunist and wannabe Glenn Beck… so education is not really probably an effective strategy.

  America has a strong anti-science, anti-intellectual bias which I believe actually has a useful place as both science and intellectualism can be extremely arrogant and do great damage however there must be a balance. Evolution, for example, is a theory in approximately the same way that gravity is a theory. I digress.

  I will watch carefully the behaviour of your station in dealing with your little loose cannon and will shape my additional responses accordingly.

• 65. the lone ranger  |  November 13, 2010 at 3:45 pm

  You believe "science and intellectualism can be extremely arrogant and do great damage…"? Wow… again, wow! Science is neither good nor bad… it's simply a method for gaining knowledge through observation. Sure, an individual scientist can be arrogant, but so can a high school drop-out. The number of arrogant scientists pales in comparison to arrogant religious leaders, politicians, law enforcement officers and a host of others. That letter of yours wasn't bad until I read that line. Sorry, but your understanding of science and intellectualism is sorely lacking. It's "anti-science" and "anti-intellectualism" that's driving the US into the toilet. It's why people think Sarah Palin would make a good leader, and it's in significant part what fuels anti-gay sentiment (e.g. "we choose to be gay", "we can change"). Well, I guess it's a testament to the diversity of the gay community… the ignorant can be gay or straight.

• 66. Joel  |  November 13, 2010 at 4:22 pm

  Well I agree that the arrogance of the clergy, law enforcement, politicians are extremely damaging. And often times they employ "science" in their efforts to control people. Science when truly "scientific" may be neutral but there has been a lot of "science' that is not really science. I am talking about the "manufacture of doubt", the hiring of various "experts" by whatever corportate entitiy wants its own point of view promoted. And there have been good scientists who have lost their scientific perspective because they become mesmerized by their own bias and blind to contrary evidence.

  I agree that anti-intellectualism is a big problem and at the same time I have seen ignorant and arrogant intellectuals. Anti-science is also a huge problem however the short-sighted, profit driven, "science" that passes itself off as "science" is a great danger. Science is seldom pure and is often used for evil purposes whether it is "good" or "bad" becomes a moot point when it results in death and destruction. Science has usually been in the service of the power elites and their minions. It is rarely just neutral science. When it is truly neutral, evidence based, non-ideological it is a powerful and empowering way to look at the world.

  I have ignored the advice proffered by experts many times much to my benefit. There are a number of band wagons I just let trundle on by only to pass wrecked at the roadside a ways down the road.

  "Science" has been used to oppress gay people at various times in history. They had a hypothesis about "gayness" which suited their prejudices at the time, was only superficially evidence based and resulted in terrible treatment of people.

  The history of science is somewhat like the history of religion. I would reccomend an out of print book by a science historian and doctor "Modern Medical Mistakes" which documents the absurd treatments that passed for "science" at the time but are now viewed with contempt.

  Pure science is indeed a wonderful and rare thing. It is also not the only thing. It is my favorite way of looking at the world but it has its limitations.

• 67. Keith  |  November 13, 2010 at 5:03 pm

  Thanks for bringing this to light. I'm emailing them now and I will call to complain on Monday. I hope they get so inundated with calls and email it shuts down their business. They need to fire that intolerant asshole.

• 68. the lone ranger  |  November 13, 2010 at 8:18 pm

  The criticisms you make are not about science, but about the fallibility of people. If science is co-opted by people with a social or political agenda, that's not the fault of science. While I'm loathe to paraphrase the rightwing NRA mantra, it holds true: "science doesn't kill people… people kill people". Your beef might be more appropriately with applied science (technology), but realize that technology is not the same as science, just as an engineer is not the same as a scientist, although both may have taken many of the same courses in school. Certainly you wouldn't advocate not teaching students about the structure of the atom just because that knowledge would be a prerequisite to building an atomic bomb?

  You're correct that some science from the past (and undoubtedly from the present and future too) is poor, but that is the nature of the scientific process. Scientific knowledge evolves just as everything else evolves… theories that are strongly supported by more and better evidence tend to stand the test of time, and those that are weak ultimately strengthen by incorporating that better knowledge… or in some cases they may be entirely discarded. Look at Newton's Laws of Motion… they've served us well for hundreds of years, but of course we know now (thanks to Einstein) that they're strictly not correct… they're only approximations for our "slow" world. In another hundred years we may similarly discover that Einstein's equations are but approximations as well.

  Science only makes observations about the natural world and then tries to quantify those observations. It doesn't attempt to answer questions of philosophy, or decide whether something is "wrong" or "right". How fallible people might chose to apply science (or more commonly pseudoscience) in a negative way, whether for greed, or for power, or for discrimination, is not a problem of science… it's a problem of human nature. The simplest approach to maximizing the positive aspects of human nature (e.g. our capacity to love, to nurture, to work together, etc.) and minimizing the negative aspects you've dwelled on is to stamp out ignorance. So anti-intellectualism doesn't solve the problem… it only perpetuates it.

• 69. This stuff is not ac  |  November 13, 2010 at 9:48 pm

  I hope the pressure doesn't stop until he's ridden out on a rail like Clint McCance. This is not acceptable. He has the right to free speech as any else just as his boss has the right to fire him for offensive behavior on the job.

• 70. This stuff is not ac  |  November 13, 2010 at 9:49 pm

  anyone else (typo)

• 71. Steffi  |  November 13, 2010 at 11:34 pm

  what a prick!
  I'm shocked and I am not easily shocked. I've heard many a hateful speach but this guy…. well I'd better don't go on from here, I might drop deep down to his level

• 72. Jason D  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:27 am

  "Most of the videos of the project (including Dan Savage’s original) represent the most privileged of the gay community – the white, upper-middle-class, cisgendered, homonormative kids who GOT to leave their bigoted hometowns and families and communities and go to college or somewhere better."

  (1)Quite frankly I doubt you've watched all of the thousands of videos that have been posted, or even enough of them to claim everything you claim here.
  Even if you HAD, it wouldn't necessarily prove anything. None of the people posting have been required to fill out financial histories or even a simple demographic rundown, so unless they say so in their videos, you have no idea whether these grownups were from poor families or not or what EXACTLY their ethnic/minority status happens to be.
  (2) Nobody is filtering these videos; they are self made. If there isn't a strong enough showing (for your tastes) of genderqueer, minority, poor, etc. etc. etc people making these videos then it's because people who fit the profile you're looking for aren't making those videos. Your post makes it sound like you think people are passively or actively banning them from being represented: which is not, and cannot be the case.
  Access is not an issue as I have seen plenty of postings, on and offline, by people trying to get groups together to make a video — so the folks represented by these videos don't even need to own a video or have an internet connection period.

• 73. Ronnie  |  November 14, 2010 at 2:39 am

  Alan has prepared legal documentation for such cases from what was said in the Day 1 video of the Fast…

  Here is the link to the website: http://www.civilrightsfast.com/

  I am worried though…today is Day 13 & Alan & Iana have not posted video for Day 12….He did say that they are waiting for confirmation that Senator Gillibrand was going to introduce the AEB (American Equality Bill) or a similar legislation that would add Orientation & Identity to the CRB (Civil Rights Bill)……

  I agree with Bob, Maggie "Shoe Flinger" Gallagher preposed that selfish "don't have one night out at a restaurant or enjoy a desert so that you can give us your money..I mean your hearts to God" fast for 40 days shenanigans….. but what Alan is doing is a real fast…. this is what an attribute of a civil rights movement looks like…..Maggie G. & Brian Brown should do a little more research into what characteristics qualify as that of a Civil Rights Movement….those characteristics certainly do not appear in the obnoxious, fallacious, arrogant & condescending propaganda spewed out by the likes of NOM, FotF, FRC, etc etc etc……

  I hope we hear more from Alan & Iana soon….<3…Ronnie

• 74. Bob  |  November 14, 2010 at 4:30 am

  Thanks Ronnie, I too have been searching for any update,,,,

  Have you been to the Act on Principles website, cause the original facilitator of this action posted a very interesting letter re WTF?? why-the-fast, and I don't know how to do the link thing,

  basically he addresses all the controversy about the fast, and that he initially was upset when Alan started , but now admits that he is in agreement, etc. Acting on principles is much harder than he ever thought, especially when it's somone elses principles that start the timing. Also taking this route means you throw out all the ways we have learned for dealing with this by trying to influence a system that is against you anyway. The persoinal principle looks to a goal, in this case civil rights, and pursues that, in spite of resistance, and without using gov't sanctioned time lines and pragmatics etc.

  He writes that he had to let go of his idea of how it was going to work and realize his gratitude for Alan taking us to day 12 of the fast, waiting to hear more,

• 75. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 9:33 am

  It is better than doing nothing, but that's really not saying a whole hell of lot.

  I agree with Caitly. It is privileged. By and large it is by white or wealthy or big corporations or stars. It doesn't have to be paid to be privileged. It doesn't have to be white to privileged.

  It is rare that a person can completely leave the situation they were born in so for most people it's lying to say it gets better in any measurable way. I would like to see a group that says that it probably won't get better but here's how to cope and here are people that are making the now better. Even if it does get better these kids still need coping mechanisms and back-ups here and now.

  I prefer groups like the Trevor Project, suicide hotlines, anti-bullying initiatives: Things address the crisis not just talk about it. The only videos from this I can stomach are from those who are actually helping.

• 76. Ronnie  |  November 14, 2010 at 10:29 am

  So another person who chooses to diminish the meaning behind the "It Gets Better" Project with superficial expectations….Sorry but the videos are not white privileged….have you watched all of the over 1 million videos?…Where is your video talking to these kids that you say aren't being reached?…..don't complain about what some people are doing to address this if you are not doing anything yourself to fill what you believe is missing…..BTW….the majority of the videos have directed people to the Trevor Project, suicide hotlines, & anti-bullying initiatives….

  ALL of these videos are helping…..just because a few don't work for you doesn't mean they don't work for somebody else…It's called diversity and nothing gets through to every single person in the exact same way…..

  like i said I posted a video of a young teacher who is not only a Gay man but deaf as well…proof that their are deaf kids who are going through this…do you think the videos that don't have CC's get through to all deaf kids who are suicidal…but low & behold…there is an "It Gets Better" video for deaf kids to see it sign language so that they can get the message……..

  It is not privileged….the reason there are little or no videos depicting what you & Caitly are expecting is because the people who fall under those categories are not making them…Don't blame or diminish the project….that is not on Dan Savage or those who chose to make videos for it…I am really getting tired of people complaining about those who are actually doing & saying something rather then doing & saying nothing….The right video will be seen by the right person & it may help that kid…Maybe these kids see the meaning behind the project rather then person who is saying it….

  We all know that Maggie Gallagher, Tony Perkins, Brian Brown, FRC, AFA, etc etc etc would prefer that these videos not exist at all…but what are people form this community doing? Reducing it to superficial expectations…..

  I love the "It Gets Better" Project & now I am going to post one of the videos that I have not posted yet….because some kid probably just saw you guys saying that he/she is not good or smart enough to get the meaning behind the project & not believe that not only does it get better but they themselves can do what they can to make it get better….that killings themselves is not the option to take…but I guess you have to be un-"privileged" to say that….whatever….without further adieu…I give you Ryan from Canada saying "It Gets Better" for his first YouTube video ever……(hint: don't complain if you haven't made one yourself to fill what you believe is missing)…..<3…Ronnie:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCBDz_Kpk10

• 77. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 10:34 am

  Usually, yes attack the argument. However, there are times when the argument is the person and their actions, attitudes and behaviors. A person who continually acts to harm others, especially those different from themselves is a bully. That's a fact, not a name-call.

  His behavior is bullying. His words are bullying. his actions are bullying. Therefore, it is entirely logical to say "He is a bully". That's just shorthand for the three sentences above.

  Sometimes the behavior warrants colorful language. People also just get frustrated and angry. This isn't just an intellectual argument here. It is an attack. Sometimes people need an outlet for those feelings. If not here than where?

• 78. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 10:54 am

  Thank you! There is so much in this country that could be fixed if we stopped demonizing scientific knowledge – like evolution. I keep having to defend it from really stupid attacks.

  I doubt whether the scientific method is taught anymore because I very rarely run into people who even know what it is let alone who can accurately describe it. Considering how extremely simple it is thats appalling.

  Anyone who values intelligence and intellectual study is derided as an elitist, snob, or worse.

• 79. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 10:55 am

  If you mean pseudo-scientific twisting by those on the right to the own agenda, say so.

• 80. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:06 pm

  The fact that these people are in this position to be able to be open and be able to say that it gets better necessarily means they are privileged. I don't have to watch all the videos to know that.

  It seems you haven't thought to question WHY there aren't more poor, uneducated and/or minorities making the videos. The short answer is privilege. The long answer is a complicated sociological one. I have some excellent essays on the topic if you want to read them. Or, just Google search "tim wise" and read what you find.

• 81. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:16 pm

  I'm not diminishing the meaning. I am giving my opinion. I am sure there are people that they help, and that's great. I am not diminishing their experience.

  My argument is with the concept, so whether I see a few videos or all of them is irrelevant. The exact wording or production is irrelevant. Even the people saying what they are is irrelevant.

  Also, what I do or don't do is also irrelevant.

  I can believe something to be problematic but also see that it can do good. That's what I am doing here. It's not either/or as you seem to think.

  You speak of diversity but try to shut down everyone who disagrees with you on this. There is also such a thing as diversity of opinion, even among allies. I'm not your enemy; we are on the same side. I just see things differently in this case. THAT IS OK. Really, it is. I'm not attacking you as a person, nor the makers of the videos, nor anyone who finds them helpful. I am just pointing out a differing viewpoint.

  I also never said it was white privilege. I explicitly said, in fact, that something doesn't have to be white to be privileged.

• 82. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:26 pm

  Ronnie

  Also, HOW DARE YOU imply that my stating a difference of opinion about this project mean I want kids to kill themselves? Also, you have to be far more cynical than I am about people to assume that they would because someone is critical of something you like.

  But, then, that's the way it goes with you isn't it? You are right and that's it. Anyone who disagrees with you is necessarily that enemy.

  Nuance, subtlety, subtext and complicated viewpoints are completely lost on you. So, it really doesn't surprise me that you can't grasp a complicated social issue like privilege.

  The rest of what you have said is too absurd to even dignify with a response.

• 83. Ronnie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:29 pm

  So you would prefer what? Not say anything?…just allow these types of empowering testimonies go unheard?…We should just not focus on anything what so ever while you put down those who are speaking up against bullying a suicide because of those who don't have the means or desire to say something or make a video?….If I made a "It Gets Better" video and posted it, am I to be considered "privileged" for doing so?…I'm sorry, but in my mind (as I am sure it is the same for those who have made a video) I would be doing it to help somebody rather then show somebody how "privileged" I am….my bad…I guess I should say nothing & allow people like Tony Perkins to get their way….i.e. do not give LGBT teens inspiring stories & openly LGBT to look up too or to see that there are people who do care about them regardless of who they are & just allow the world to be filled with negative, harmful propagated images that the likes of NOM etc put out about our community…Nope I won't do that… <3…Ronnie

• 84. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:42 pm

  You clearly aren't actually reading anything I have said.

  Again, as I have said twice now, if someone finds them helpful, if one saves a life, that's great.

  It's not the way in which I would choose to help and I think there are more effective ways to do so. I gave my reasons why, and pointed to what I believe to be better organizations.

  I can find a program both commendable and problematic at the same time. It's called nuance.

  By privilege I don't mean racial or even socio-economic, but that is a large part of it. I mean the entire concept itself, that a person can and will necessarily escape a bad background is a privileged viewpoint.

  No, you or anyone else posting aren't necessarily privileged but are feeding into a privileged mindset. If that doesn't bother you or you don't see it that way, that's your opinion.

  I can agree that this is a matter of opinion, and that our opinions of the program disagree. Can you?

• 85. Rhie  |  November 14, 2010 at 1:45 pm

  And to be really clear since this point seems to be getting lost here:

  The part that is problematic is NOT the message that people shouldn't kill themselves.

  The part that is problematic is the reason why: that it will necessarily get better. That they will escape the oppression of their lives now and find a better one later. That is just simply not true for most people.

• 86. Ronnie  |  November 14, 2010 at 2:17 pm

  I never implied that….what I said was that you just said that some kids may not be good or smart enough to see in these videos that killing themselves is not an option because of some aspect of not being "privileged" enough to make it get better themselves….that it requires money or something to say "I will not take this anymore & I am special & important whether you like it or not"…that doesn't require anything but self-esteme & courage…the thinsg being said in these videos are the complete opposite of what is being said to these kids in their homes, schools, & houses of worships

  & everything you just said does not describe me in the least….I really do not see a point in disrespecting a project that was created to give a voice to not only our community but that of all types of people who are being bullied & are at the point of suicide…If there were videos like this when I tried it the first time or second time or the third then I may have never tried it to begin with..& wouldn't have to go through the rest of me life with the memories that I had tried to commit suicide & all the feelings that led me to that point….

  The "it Gets Better" project is not telling kids that it just gets better….it is also telling them that they have to work for it…they have to play a role in making it better for themselves…these kids think they have no power…these videos are telling them that they do & that they have to find it in themselves & make it get better…that is the point of the project….

  Why is it problematic? I see no problems with it because it is doing exactly what it was created to do…show positive images of LGBT people rather then the negative that is put forth buy the anti-gay side….All the anti-gay side say is that the only way it will get better is if you stop being Gay…which is just as less of an option as suicide is….

  Whatever…I'm done…we can stick with pamphlets, phone numbers, & teachers & school officials that do & say nothing…<3…Ronnie

• 87. Ronnie  |  November 14, 2010 at 2:50 pm

  I have read everything you said….

  "It’s not the way in which I would choose to help and I think there are more effective ways to do so."

  What are more effective ways that aren't already being done? & how effective do things have to be? What are the qualifications for being effective? Is everything that was being done before the "It Gets Better" project was started effective?……

  We obviously don't agree on this volunteer project….whatever…like I said…I'm done…The project exists & instead of complaining about it…I chose to embrace it because it is a good project that is helping people & it pisses the anti-gay side off that it exists…That is a HUGE plus for me…<3…Ronnie

• 88. Bob  |  November 14, 2010 at 3:29 pm

  I've been watching the back and forth between Ronnie and Rhie,,,,

  you both make valid points

  here's my thought, when we can incorporate Alan's fast into the it's gets better video, we'll have achieved the balance.

  the whole video of the fast is being ignored, and it represents a very important part of our struggle, and I suspect the major point of Rhie's argument……

  Alan's point is that we have only compromised, we have accepted the notion of THE AMERICAN DREAM , we change our circumstance, and ignore our inner most vulue as human beings, so we think because we can be openly gay, and embrace the trappings of the good life, it is achievable, And for many that's IT, and it is better.

  Alan brings hom the point, how can we fool ourselves , we are not equal. He brings us back to that reality, which we have somehow overlooked, the principles we have given up, in return for the appearance of outward happiness, and a lie, yes we can sing and dance, and get wealthy, and leave our families and create our own, and blend in, but at the end of the day, we as adults have not done our job, we still have to return to the point we left off in the battle for civil rights, where Bayard Rustin, left us.

  We cannot forget our own struggle, and our own demand, for equality, we have not done the work, which is required before we can heal. and become whole.

  By buying into this false dream of achieving success outwardly, we have established our own class war within the Rainbow Tribe,

  Alan's fast is a testimony to that which we have forgot, and a very powerfull tool to unite us. He brings a healthy dose of dignity, humility , and honesty, to our struggle, And most of us would rather turn and look at videos of people portraying happiness, As if it where an outside thing, achievable by appearance.

  The It gets better project is an amazing step in the right direction, a part of our story that needs to be told, but if we go there, without acknowledging Alan's point, the fact that we are not equal citizens. We lie to our youth, the most we can do is show them both aspects, and encourage them to join us and live, So that one day they can choose for themselves which path to take, as adults like Alan, they can make a statement with their lives, which they are not able to do as children or youth, an adult can make the choice Alan did and attempt to make a difference, If by the time they mature they haven't found the happiness the videios show, they can choose to be a witness and speak out the way Alan has,

  Those kids Rhie speaks of may find strength from the truth of Alan's message, and realize the missing part, which we are asking them to leap over and forget, from that place of dispair, to happiness, we must not risk losing ourselves.

  As rainbow children in America, they look out at the reality of the battle ahead, they see us fighting DADT , DOMA , SSM, AIDS, POVERTY, a mountain of laws stacked agianst us. Which basically we say, in spite of all that, people have been able to say, it does get better, In reality what we are asking is for them to join us in the fight, and by doing so, they will find a reason, a purpose, live, to fight with us, you are part of the RAinbow Tribe, There are many paths, you are not alone, reach out and teach us, because we so far have not achieved equality in America, but Rainbow People have found equality in other countries, circumstances can change.

  I wish we could join forces globally, and for those children struggling the most and homeless, we could offer foriegn exchange, I would love for Rainbow Children to have the opportunity to come to my village on Salt Spring Island, with it's successful gay straight alliance, and learn in a safe evironment, give them the true gift of hope, while the elders in our tribe in America fight between themselves and the religious right, remove them from that toxic environment, YES Foriegn Exchange, surely all those successful happy people in the it gets better videos, could volunteer some of their success and effort and wealth to enable such a progarm.

  Alan;s fast is a reality we overlook because we are afraid to engage ourselves personaly in the real battle for ending discrimination, and expeiriencing equality . His messge is bold, We must back up and take a different approach, the one we've been avoiding, the rainbow arc bends through the clouds, reaching for our goal. It is achieved not by bendng to politics of the day, politics and laws must change to accomodate us. We must first appear, and be seen, rather than to work at making friends in politics, and courts, and creating organizations that fight for us, we give money and they take up our cause, it's buying our way, piece by piece, and to what,????

  Lets save the Rainbow Children in America, save the Children NOW send them to safe havens around the globe.

  Start a movement, make it better give them hope NOW

  ,

• 89. Joel  |  November 15, 2010 at 1:15 am

  I agree. My argument is primarily not with "science" but with people. Anti-intellectualism does not solve the problem and the proliferation of pseudo science is a plague on all of our houses. It is however a challenge to tease out the seemingly inevitable human nature "contamination" of science when it occurs.

• 90. Dracil  |  November 15, 2010 at 6:08 am

  Unfortunately, looks like there's still only one story for this on google news so this story isn't getting any recognition.

• 91. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  November 15, 2010 at 10:53 am

  @ Sean
  thank you for contacting station, seems to be working…Catlin responded…supposedly something forthcoming Wednesday:
  http://www.dallasvoice.com/glaad-chris-krok-disci…

• 92. Scott Marlowe  |  November 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm

  Let's change The hosts comment for the times in the 1960s:

  You don't have a husband, interracial marraige is illegal in Texas, so you don't have a husband.

  Now do his remarks seem a little MORE bigoted?

• 93. amanda  |  November 15, 2010 at 1:22 pm

  In the debate over the It Gets Better campaign, there seems to be an either/or equation: either the videos people make are telling kids in impossible circumstances that their lives will somehow magically get better, or that many if not most gay kids can just forget it, their lives will always suck. I think there is a "third way"- a message that, no matter what, you do have choices in the way you live. Audre Lorde said "Your silence will not protect you." No, maybe some people can't leave their homophobic family or community, but that doesn't mean they have no choices in how they live their lives. Don't paint someone as a victim just because he or she may be living in difficult circumstances. Life is much more complicated than that.

• 94. Drew  |  November 15, 2010 at 3:06 pm

  To the few people on here who keep getting it wrong let me clarify some things for you. YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT!

  Why do you act like the central message of the project is “move to San Francisco and get rich and famous, it gets better?” That's not it at all. It isn’t about any of the things you seem to have a problem with.

  The point is to let kids know they aren’t alone in being gay. The point is to encourage them to continue on and grow up. Mature. Learn to navigate life being gay. The point is to help them find support.

  Maybe you haven’t thought it all through, maybe you aren’t capable. A lot of people live in small towns where there is no visible “out” population. It is easy to feel oppressed in these environments and it is easy to lose hope for your life. With the internet we can get to these people and attempt to make a difference. The difference may never be measured unless you happen to be gay or happen love someone who is and they decide to continue living. Actually another important part of the message is that reasonable people aren’t going to be silent about this anymore. Do you have a problem with that too? Making a stand for our fellow citizens? It’s been way too long and it is time we all got in the faces of those who want to silence a segment of the population with intimidation. It’s funny how some people get pissed when the group who normally gets beat down, stands up to defend themselves. You all start bitching about how unreasonable this minority group looks for daring to talk out of turn. You guys can suck it.

• 95. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  November 16, 2010 at 12:13 am

  I grew up in Orangeville, Utah, population approx 500 with no Satellite/cable TV and no Internet. I didn't even know gay people existed…I just knew I was "different" in some ways than my peers. I still went with the flow and dated and married opposite sex. I would have liked to see these videos to know that gay people exist and potentially create nice lives.

  I do see Rhie's point though. The dominant group in the United States is nearly completely ignorant to sub culture groups. I grew up with the thought that I'm a kind and "compassionate" person…but I never realized what it is REALLY like for Hispanic persons until I met my hubby and his family.

  I didn't have a clue about transgender persons until I did more research to overcome my own ignorance and biases.

  I learned more of humanity by associating, interviewing and reading about drag queens that perform in local clubs.

  Recently I had opportunity to learn what it is like for gay homeless kids in the street and hear first-hand stories what their life is like.

  Daily I observe how Hispanics are being treated with increasing hate through laws, group bullying and one-on-one bigotry.

  It seems the "It gets better campaign" is just a starting place to communicated to these kids life is not so hopeless… I think it is a positive step and I've been moved many times by the myriad of videos Ronnie has shared with us.

  Here is a local project that started from one person's despair at recent suicides. I invite you to browse the many videos. Its not all-inclusive but definitely worth a look.: http://differentisamazing.com/

  Current article about Gay homeless teens in Salt Lake City. I've met with Katrina Oakeson (featured in article). Many of these kids do not have access to internet. How to we reach them?
  http://qsaltlake.com/2010/11/11/homeless-gay-yout…

  I have faith and hope we can continue to find creative ways to reach these despairing persons combat cybercyde, bullycyde, NOM's, Chris Krok's of the world.

• 96. Br. Michael  |  November 16, 2010 at 1:41 am

  Chris Krok needs MORE compassion. IF that is possible? By Chris's action, he forgot Gay suicide is one pandemic that also needs all the support it can get.

• 97. Sherry  |  November 16, 2010 at 5:51 am

  I just called the radio station and gave th programming director a piiece of my mind for allowing this jerk to harass the honorable councilman from FT WORTH on the air. What kind of message is that for one of the oldes radio stations in the DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA TO SEND TO THE KIDS IN THIS AREA?

• 98. Gregory in Salt Lake  |  November 16, 2010 at 6:15 am

  Thank you Sherry!!!!

• 99. fiona64  |  November 16, 2010 at 6:27 am

  I hope you'll pardon my confusion. Are you saying that we should be more supportive of Mr. Krok's position, or that we should show more support to the LGBT (either real or perceived) youth so that the suicides are lessened?

  There's just something about your phrasing that makes me uncertain of the point you're trying to make.

  Love,
  Fiona (who is not shy about seeking clarification)

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