Update For My Followers

I thought I'd take a break from activism. Just for a bit. My job wasn't going well, my health sucks, and money was getting more and more scarce. I moved about 30 minutes away and one night a few weeks ago when I was driving home a pick up truck got up behind me. (right behind me) They started flashing their brights at me and I realized I was already going about 5 or 6 over the speed limit. I was about 8 minutes outside of the small town I just moved to last May and it was very dark. They then passed me to which I slowed down a bit and let them pass. After a few seconds the truck started slowing down more and more to about 15-20 MPH. At this point I realized I was potentially going to be gay bashed. I do have a rainbow strip I purchased at Milwaukee Pride and my HRC equal sign on bumper of my car. They sped up again for about two minutes and then did it again. This time we were almost to town but it was still dark with no traffic besides us. When we got to town they turned. By this point I was on the phone with my roommate freaking out. I debated following them but just went home. Before you say anything I couldn't get the plate # or see the color of the truck very well. I also have little faith in the rural cops.

I realize now that no matter what's going in your life you need to fight. Every single gay person, bi person, trans person needs to STAND UP and speak out against this type of bigotry. No excuses. I CAN'T let something like this happen to me and not do anything to stop it from happening to someone else. I now keep a batt in my back seat and I shouldn't have to. Truth is we still have a long way to go. Let's get there!

On coming back:

So I would like to do things a little differently this time around. I want to create a support network to protect LGBT youth from homelessness as well as promote the well being of all LGBT people. Starting in my area first and maybe branching out. (We'll see.) Join me on my quest and follow @LGBTweet! Ideas and suggestions are always welcome and are also very much needed. I don't want recognition. I just like Twitter because I've learned so much from all of you I'd be stupid to quit now. Again thank you all for your support and friendship through the years and its good to be back!

Happy Same Sex Sunday!

-Josh

You Didn't Ask So I'm Going To Tell =)

So now that health care has passed, FINALLY. Its time to start pressuring Obama to work harder to end Don't Ask Don't Tell. It needs to be this year! (It's only March!)

The voting public realized last year, "its time for a change." But people are afraid of change and some of those people are going to vote for republicans. (I hope not.) And that's all the more reason why this needs to happen NOW.

Lt. Dan Choi handcuffed himself to the White House gates to express this urgency. The time is now! (NOT A YEAR FROM NOW!)

Here is the video. (I truly think this is history in the making!)



Lt Dan Choi argues that the HRC is not doing enough to fight for our rights. I'm not going to get into all that. But I do know if your not committed to ACTION why are you even around?

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO!! ITS SIMPLE!!

Write a QUICK letter to your representatives and Obama. It doesn't need to be a three page story! Lets face it! EQUALITY doesn't require allot of explanation! Just say that you expect the country to stand by its values and not discriminate. Or CALL! =)

Here is a link to the HRC's website. You can track down your peps there. I know they love phone calls! (If it has a "D" next to their name be nicer than if it has an "R" next to it!) That's all you need to know about politics! I swear!!

>>> HRC: Your Elected Officials <<<

Call call call!! Write write write!! The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Your government is like Customer Service! Keep calling until you get what you want! They work for YOU!

Another Thing You COULD Do Is...

I'm not going to elaborate on civil disobedience. But "The time IS now!"

Statement About Us From The Broken Yoke Ministries' Website

From the Broken Yoke Ministries Website: "We did have a group of protestors--our first at a regional--and they were respectful of the policies set by the Green Lake Conference Center. Three of our conference attendees took the time to engage them in conversation at one point Saturday noon. While some of the protestors were focused on anger toward the mission of Exodus International, others listened and shared openly with Brett, Jeff, and Jill. There are no simple comments in situations such as these but God knows the heart of each and every one--and He is deeply in love with them all" -Broken Yoke

(I think I may have been one of the angry protesters.) LOL!!

I also think its spelled "protesters." But hey!, its not my anti-gay website.

Broken Yoke Ministries is an affiliate for Exodus International.

**See my account of the protest below.

-Joshua J. Mueller

Wisconsin Gays Confront Exodus International

On Saturday October 31, 2009 dozens of people from Fox Valley and five of us from La Crosse, WI assembled outside of the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI to protest Exodus International's North Central Regional Conference. Travis Swanson was the organizer of the protest. His boyfriend, Bryce Faulkner, was financially forced into an Exodus International program.
We stood outside the gates holding signs and waving at the locals. Several people stopped to talk and some even brought gifts! It was rainy and cold but we persevered. The Green Lake Sheriff's Department allowed us to stand outside the gates for no longer than 4 hours at a time and no closer than 10 yards from the middle of the road. Our group protested while the attendees of the conference drove in early that morning.
After our time was up 22 of us decided to enjoy a nice lunch inside the same venue as Exodus International. The restaurant was a buffet cafeteria type setting with many round tables. We went in during the time Exodus was breaking for lunch. Our group took up three tables and as soon as we sat down we had a representative at each.
The Exodus member who came to the table where I was sitting was named Jeff. Jeff talked about finding Jesus and how having Jesus in his life solved all of his problems. He expressed his belief that faith helped him overcome alcoholism, sexual addiction, and other problems. By solving these problems his homosexual desires no longer afflicted him.
At first I was very respectful to Jeff. Here is a person with many issues struggling to find his place in the world and we felt we had to be respectful as possible. I started asking questions like, “How do you feel that being a non practicing homosexual has bettered you as a person?” and, “Why did you feel that your sexuality is something about you that you had to change.”
Sadly he dodged every question. But he did say that when he was attracted to men he was attracted to big muscle men because “he needed to feel that strength.” Apparently he now finds that strength in Jesus. But it was when he compared homosexuality to alcoholism that I felt as though I was being disrespected. He also stuck up for a Milwaukee pastor who has been convicted of pedophilia, calling the act “consensual.”
I really did feel bad for Jeff. He seemed completely withdrawn when he told us that he no longer had a TV, computer, or text messaging on his phone. When I was tired of going around in circles I shook his hand, told him I hope this path does work for him, but I feel that it doesn't work for most and does a lot of harm.” We then went back out to the street!
Some of the people I was with handed out cards with information in case they needed resources and someone to talk to. I learned a lot by listening to Jeff. The whole experience was very intense and I felt a range of emotions. I wanted to scream in anger and cry in sympathy. I don't ever want someone to feel as though they are less of a person because of who they are attracted to sexually. Exodus International is a organization that spreads hate and bigotry . They are responsible for influencing violent legislation against gay people in Uganda and an increased suicide rate here at home. They must be stopped.

-J O S H

(These are the pictures I have. I'll try to find more of the bigger groups soon. The top picture is us checking with the hotel. We didn't think they were going to let us in at first but they did. The 2nd is the group of us from La Crosse and the third is one of the shirts we were wearing. Kudos to Ash for making them! Also I want to point out that many of the people at the protest were not gay but great supporters. But thats just the title I selected.)

National Equality Seemed To Be The Theme Of The Weekend

This last weekend was a definite eye opener. In my home town (La Crosse, WI) on Saturday we had a silent rally for equality where almost 100 people spanned the Cass St bridge over the Mississippi River to protest for equal rights. We also had our gala dinner which included a speaker from Fair Wisconsin and also a local high school activist. The event is one of our largest fundraisers we have for our Seven Rivers LGBT Resource Center here in La Crosse. Many people came in support and some were recognized for their volunteerism, civil unions, and contributions. Rosanne St Sauver who is our center director did a wonderful job pulling off the annual event! We also owe a lot to local businesses and groups that donated to the center. Its safe to say that the city of La Crosse, WI has no trouble standing up for equality and while we have a ways to go yet I am proud to live in this community.

Sunday was National Coming Out Day and the National Equality March. Several of us volunteers and also a few friends got together to watch the march on c-span. Watching the march effected me greatly. It was awesome to see that kind of support on a national level. I was truly moved by several of the speakers and very surprised that so many people turned out. (I don’t know who’s idea it was to make National Coming Out Day in October!)

Just when I thought activism was over for a bit I got a text message from a friend asking if I was going to the Laramie Project. In all this pride and celebration I forgot! The Laramie Project was simulcast to over 150 different theaters around the world. There was an introduction and then a live reading. It was the ten year anniversary and the eleventh year since Matthew Sheppard was brutally murdered. I’m so happy I didn’t miss this event! It was defiantly the final part I needed to piece this altogether.

My eyes have been open. We need to start working as hard as we can if we ever want to be treated as equal citizens! Who knows how long the democrats are going to be in power? We didn’t get hardly anything done under Bush! I understand our community’s frustrations with Obama but I think he gives us an opportunity to make some real change. The DEMOCRATS in office give us an opportunity to make some real change! This next year lets make it count because we don’t know how long we have them in power!

-J O S H

P.S. I'll be posting more about what YOU can do to stand up for your rights!

The Word Of The Gay

Hey look at me all starting a new blog and stuff!! Its been about two years since I've had a blog so we'll see how this goes!! I'll start writing as soon as possible. Otherwise check me out on Twitter! (LGBTweet)

Looking forward to the dialog!

-J O S H