So, a Christian Nationalist regime with their Jesus on their side, allied with a Jewish Nationalist regime with their HaShem on their side, have gone after an Islamic Nationalist regime with their Allah on their side, while each Nationalist regime believes they have morality on their side. And religious wars continue to bring humanity to the brink!

But now we got weapons,

Of the chemical dust.

If fire them we’re forced to,

Then fire them we must.

One push of the button

And a shot the world wide,

And you never ask questions

When God’s on your side.

–Bob Dylan, “With God on Our Side”

I gave a lecture on the topic of homophobia at Pace University in New York City some years ago. I talked about my own experiences as the target of harassment and abuse growing up gay and gender non-normative, and I referred to my book, Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price.

In the book I make the case that everyone, regardless of their actual sexuality identity is hurt by homophobia and, therefore, it is in everyone’s self-interest to work to reduce and ultimately eliminate this very real and insidious form of oppression.

Following my presentation, two students came up to me — one woman and one man — to continue the discussion. The young woman began by telling me:

“I’m really sad to hear about the abuse that you and others have received because you are gay or lesbian. I am here to tell you that I have a way to prevent that from ever happening to you again.”

“I believe that Jesus Christ can help you,” she said with a cheery expression across her face. “If you ask Jesus and pray hard, Jesus will save you from your homosexual feelings and help you to achieve the life that is meant for you, in his service, as a happy and healthy heterosexual. This will save you from the abuse you have suffered.”

My response: “So, let me see if I understand you: If I accept Jesus in my life and ask him to help me become heterosexual, then I won’t suffer from homophobia any longer? So, to be supported in society, I have to change who I am and conform to the dominant standards of society? For people like........

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