In light of one of the topics being discussed at this time on the main board, I feel the need to tell what happened to me when I was 18 years old.
I was walking down the street minding my own business in a new city that I had recemtly moved to in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon. Before I knew what was happening, someone jumped on my back and a young man appeared in front of me. They both were saying nasty things about being gay and yelling obsenties at me, as I was struggling to get one guy off my back while the trying to avoid being hit with a metal pipe that guy in front of me was swinging. I was pushed down to the ground by the guy on my back at the same time that I was struck in the head with metal pipe splitting my head open. Blood was flowing from my head into my eyes and I kept thinking to myself that if I didn't get up and fought back that I was going to die that day. While trying to get up with my hands stretched in front of me on the ground, the pipe was hitting my hands ripping them open and breaking bones each time it connected.
I got the strength and pushed the guy off my back by punching him in the nose by swinging upwards. While he was on the ground, I stood up and grabbed the metal pipe from the other guy. That is when the police showed up after being called by someone in the store front of where this was taking place. The policemen grabbed the two guys and after being told what had happened, they arrested the two men.
One policeman came to the hospital to where I was taken by ambulance to get my full statement. He told me this: "You should be dead! God must have been with you for you to be able to defend yourself and grab that metal pipe when you did with broken fingers."
Well, I suffered a concousion and all ten fingers were broken. I still have a scar on my head today from this assult.
I know that God was with me that day! I became a crusader for gay rights that day! No one should have to experience such a horrific hate-filled experience. I am lucky to be alive and I feel that God has given me a calling to fight for the injustices in this world against those that are one of a minority.
I hope others realize that before they judge they need to know that some of us choose to be gay like an African American chooses their color of skin. We are all children of God and made in His image.
I will preach and teach tolerance and love for one another until the good Lord calls me home.
Peace be with you all.
