Comments on: Melissa Etheridge, Rev. Rick Warren to “build bridges”

By: Stacey Klein

Stacey Klein — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:59:43 +0000

In general, I have NO CLUE why gay and lesbian marriages are opposed to by certain groups. 2 people are in love, so be it. They are not out there to get anyone else involved in their relationship. Love between 2 people is just that, between the couple only. It’s sad to see in the 21st century, this sort of discrimination.

By: Bill Jackson

Bill Jackson — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:13:18 +0000

Kathy I agree totally. There is a great LGBT civil rights organization called the Empowering Spirits Foundation that acts the same. They are very creative in how they approach this hot topic issue, in that they engage in service oriented activities in communities typically opposed to equal rights to foster thought and change for LGBT equality.

A friend of mine told me about it and I thought it was a great, positive approach to the issue. We had so much fun at the last event and it was great to give back to the community. Plus it was great to converse with others on the other side of the table in a way that wasn’t confrontational.

Anyway, this can be such a heated issue and I thought this was a unique approach.

By: truth_be_told

truth_be_told — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:17:38 +0000

What would the Obama team do if Melissa was in charge of the inaugural ceremonies and invited a white suprematist to invoke her God? Would they say they understood it was for the best of the country? End of story.

By: Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:02:22 +0000

I can appreciate Melissa’s sentiments about extending ourselves so that others can get to know us and not be so fearful of us, but does that mean the Rick Warren should still deliver the inaugural invocation? We can’t afford for Rick Warren, who is seemingly in conflict with himself on the issues of gay rights and abortion, to be propelled any further into superstardom to dissiminate his divisive ideology.

By: Ron Furgerson

Ron Furgerson — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:50:30 +0000

Unfortunately there seems to be about as much bigotry against those of the Christian faith as against gays and lesbians. Change is needed in both directions and the hateful treatment Rick Warren has received is ample evidence of it.

By: eo

eo — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:31:22 +0000

Melissa,

Thank you for your transcendent message. I support marriage equality, and I too was concerned about the choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation.

Your message, and your willingness to transcend differences, and embrace choice and change, is what captured my heart:

“Brothers and sisters the choice is ours now. We have the world’s attention. We have the capability to create change, awesome change in this world, but before we change minds we must change hearts. Sure, there are plenty of hateful people who will always hold on to their bigotry like a child to a blanket. But there are also good people out there, Christian and otherwise that are beginning to listen. They don’t hate us, they fear change. Maybe in our anger, as we consider marches and boycotts, perhaps we can consider stretching out our hands. Maybe instead of marching on his church, we can show up en mass and volunteer for one of the many organizations affiliated with his church that work for HIV/AIDS causes all around the world.

Maybe if they get to know us, they won’t fear us.

I know, call me a dreamer, but I feel a new era is upon us.

I will be attending the inauguration with my family, and with hope in my heart. I know we are headed in the direction of marriage equality and equal protection for all families.

Happy Holidays my friends and a Happy New Year to you.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward all men and women… and everyone in-between.”

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:38:27 +0000

I have always felt that if you want to be treated with respect, you have to act respectfully. Melissa has demonstrated this and will help build the bridges needed if our community is to achieve its goals.

By: souza

souza — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:26:13 +0000

I am soooo glad I never bought ANY of Melissa Etheridge’s music. I am a lesbian and she is no spokes person for my rights or lack of them. I don’t know what her and Rick are doing behind closed doors, but it does not benefit out community.

By: jp

jp — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:13:25 +0000

Why is Melissa Etheridge apologizing for Rick Warren? Pastor Warren should apologize himself for his gross insults towards gay people and their families, if he really means it. Until he actually undoes the damage he’s caused, he might as well be another Phelps or Limbaugh or whoever else, when it comes to gay Americans.