STEP: STudent Ecumenical Partnership

Shop talk

Tony McMahon The past few weeks I've been thinking a lot about justice, specifically towards the issue of homosexual rights in America. Growing up in Ohio (more or less), it's interesting to see how I can have such a 'liberal' view. To me, though, it seems ridiculous to label something like homosexual rights as liberal; it seems obvious to me that anyone taking a good look at the people oppressed due to their sexual orientation would agree it's a God-given right to just be who you are. Most people who think they're right talk like this, though, so who am I to make it sound obvious?

This is my third summer working at a factory, and I have to say, I like it. I'm not saying I want to make a career out of it, but I find my time there to be an asset to my personal development. Listening to the radio in the mornings, it's hard for us to miss the news going around in the world regarding this subject. California now performs same-sex marriages. New York, although not granting them, at the very least recognizes them. I heard the other day that Norway is now permitting same-sex marriages in their country. I hear this news and I think, "it's about time." But what I hear from my fellow employees is usually, "oh my God! Can you believe it?" and, "that's just not right."

My favorite is, "I can see two women together, but two guys is just wrong." Apparently, it's conditional.

I was angry at first. After all, my brother is gay, and so is my best friend. But I then I realized that anger won't solve the problem, as it only leads to more prejudice: us vs. them. I think back to what my good friend and teacher Dr. O'Reilly told me before I left college this year:

"I don't understand people anymore. If Jesus was preaching right now to the people of the world, it would be to all the oppressed peoples, the discouraged, the outcasts. And all of us? I'm willing to bet we'd be the Pharisees."

Maybe he's right, I'm not sure. All I know is that there's a big problem going on right now in this country, and it's going to take a lot of work — and a lot of love — to fix it.

Tony's previous stories:

A native of Wauseon, Ohio, Tony McMahon is in his first year on the STEP Leadership Team.



		Shop talk The past few weeks I've been thinking a lot about justice, specifically towards the issue of homosexual rights in America. Growing up in Ohio (more or less), it's interesting to see how I can have such a 'liberal' view. To me, though, it seems ridiculous to label something like homosexual rights as liberal; it seems obvious to me that anyone taking a good look at the people oppressed due to their sexual orientation would agree it's a God-given right to just be who you are. Most people who think they're right talk like this, though, so who am I to make it sound obvious? This is my third summer working at a factory, and I have to say, I like it. I'm not saying I want to make a career out of it, but I find my time there to be an asset to my personal development. Listening to the radio in the mornings, it's hard for us to miss the news going around in the world regarding this subject. California now performs same-sex marriages. New York, although not granting them, at the very least recognizes them. I heard the other day that Norway is now permitting same-sex marriages in their country. I hear this news and I think, "it's about time." But what I hear from my fellow employees is usually, "oh my God! Can you believe it?" and, "that's just not right." My favorite is, "I can see two women together, but two guys is just wrong." Apparently, it's conditional. I was angry at first. After all, my brother is gay, and so is my best friend. But I then I realized that anger won't solve the problem, as it only leads to more prejudice: us vs. them. I think back to what my good friend and teacher Dr. O'Reilly told me before I left college this year: "I don't understand people anymore. If Jesus was preaching right now to the people of the world, it would be to all the oppressed peoples, the discouraged, the outcasts. And all of us? I'm willing to bet we'd be the Pharisees." Maybe he's right, I'm not sure. All I know is that there's a big problem going on right now in this country, and it's going to take a lot of work — and a lot of love — to fix it. Tony's previous stories: Changes Different directions A native of Wauseon, Ohio, Tony McMahon is in his first year on the STEP Leadership Team.