Do I Pass By on the Other Side?

An article in the Salt Lake Tribune says: Early Thursday morning, September 8, 2011, Cameron Nelson became the third gay Utahn in less than two weeks to report being attacked because of their sexual identity. Nelson was on the job at an American Fork hair salon when he said two or three people began beating him up and yelling anti-gay slurs at him.

My immediate response: WHO are these criminals??? Time to move forward and be a voice for humanity. When I saw THE HELP, which left me shaking because of my own experiences in the South, I just wanted to stand up afterwards and say "I HAVE A TRANSGENDER DAUGHTER! WHO ARE WE IN THE YEAR 2011????" I did not but Mark said he would have clapped for me if I had!!!

EVERY human being deserves charity, civility, security, a place of belonging and being loved! YES EVEN BY THEIR OWN FAMILIES!!!

WHO ARE WE - whether we have a LGBT friend or relative or not -- WHO ARE WE??? Grateful for knowing so many people in our life who have been caring of ALL my family!! Let's not look away!

Responses from friends and family:

• Linda Ryals Smith I love you!!

  September 9 at 11:14am ·
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  Linda Ryals Smith Oh... and, I would have clapped for you too! :)

  September 9 at 11:14am ·
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  Kevin Steele Love you mom!!

  September 9 at 11:22am ·
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  Dianne Ruth Kellermeyer I would have applauded, too! NO ONE deserves to be treated like this! Love you!

  September 9 at 11:38am ·
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  Kellie Henderson This is so great. I am so grateful for you and all the love and bravery you have!

  September 9 at 12:05pm ·
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  Pam Steele Love you and yours.

  September 9 at 12:26pm ·
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  Wendy Dunbar Sampson I may not agree with the life style choices but certainly all people should be treated with dignity and respect. Heavenly Father would be disgusted with people treating each other this way! God is LOVE!

  September 9 at 1:13pm
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  Sheri Mossi Two wrongs do not cancel each other out and make a right. Never have. Never will.

  September 9 at 4:26pm
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  Jack Kadin Steele Mom, when I think of you, "my heart goes out in gratitude!!" I hope your time at the vigil was "meaningful" tonight. Love you!!
  
  
  That Friday night September 9th, there was a peaceful Fireside Vigil in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City concerning violence against three LGBT people in the last few weeks. This is what I have written:
  
  ‎Mark Steele and I will be there in Salt Lake tonight. I choose and love my own lifestyle ... and I love my daughter, immensely. Yes, and her partner. I do not always understand why there are differences in this world, but I know we must honor each other. I WALK TONIGHT TO HONOR DIFFERENCES!
  
  Our response to the Fireside Vigil:

  
  

  The fireside vigil was EXCELLENT tonight! We'd go again. The LDS sister to Cameron who was assaulted here last night spoke. She honored all I love, my church and my children. She, with simplicity and a voice of understanding, spoke of her brother from a very young age as a gay, charitable, tender, kind person. I could only feel you next to me Jack. She also spoke of the immediate love and acceptance of their parents for him as their gay son. I feel blessed to be called "Mom".