Dear Oklahoma,
I am elated that the Federal Courts are forcefully dragging you kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I know leadership in your state might, or might not, agree with this ruling, and the truth is, at one point my grandma's didn't either. But they came around. They embraced what the greatest commandment of the Bible instructs us to do, love one another. And, when their friends or loved ones might not have agreed, they stood up for love, and in return, minds were changed, as well as hearts.
All it takes is one person to start a revolution, and to change minds and hearts.
One Grandma.
One Aunt.
One Uncle.
One Minister.
One Pastor.
One Layperson.
One Senator.
One State Representative.
Or maybe, just one Governor, to stand up and speak out for equality, which could change the hearts and the minds of the great people in the State of Oklahoma. One person has the ability to help a minority by taking a stand.
Oklahoma, your state is one step closer to marriage equality due to the Federal Court System and two brave couples; yet so far away from equal rights for all. While I cheer from afar for the victories you have in court, I'm reminded that Oklahoma is from the Choctaw language which means Home of the Red People. I find this ironic being the Native American people of Oklahoma are a minority, but they are not a minority in which they could lose their job, be denied a place to live, or be denied service, much like my gay, lesbian and transgendered brethren and sisters.
I am asking who will be the first heterosexual person in a position of power in Oklahoma, to be a forerunner to champion equality? I am reminded of Matthew 7 verse 12 where Jesus commands, "In Everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." and of 1 Samuel, chapter 16 verse 7, when the Lord says to Samuel, "God doesn't look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart."
All it takes is one, and sometimes that one person is the least likely person. Could the unlikely James Lankford step up, or maybe Pastor Greg Groeschel at Life Church, who once showed his support for Chick-fil-A and their anti-gay stance? Will they be among the first to show what true Christianity is about? Or maybe even Sally Kern could be delivered to the truth of what God calls his children to do, which is love. Or maybe, just maybe, Governor Mary Fallin will step up and be the role model she should be for the state.
For those who are currently fighting to champion equality in Oklahoma, Thank You! I know it is hard labor but the Oklahoma motto is "Labor omnia vincit" (Latin for "Labor conquers all things.)
Keep on keeping on,
Dillon Peña
I am elated that the Federal Courts are forcefully dragging you kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I know leadership in your state might, or might not, agree with this ruling, and the truth is, at one point my grandma's didn't either. But they came around. They embraced what the greatest commandment of the Bible instructs us to do, love one another. And, when their friends or loved ones might not have agreed, they stood up for love, and in return, minds were changed, as well as hearts.
All it takes is one person to start a revolution, and to change minds and hearts.
One Grandma.
One Aunt.
One Uncle.
One Minister.
One Pastor.
One Layperson.
One Senator.
One State Representative.
Or maybe, just one Governor, to stand up and speak out for equality, which could change the hearts and the minds of the great people in the State of Oklahoma. One person has the ability to help a minority by taking a stand.
Oklahoma, your state is one step closer to marriage equality due to the Federal Court System and two brave couples; yet so far away from equal rights for all. While I cheer from afar for the victories you have in court, I'm reminded that Oklahoma is from the Choctaw language which means Home of the Red People. I find this ironic being the Native American people of Oklahoma are a minority, but they are not a minority in which they could lose their job, be denied a place to live, or be denied service, much like my gay, lesbian and transgendered brethren and sisters.
I am asking who will be the first heterosexual person in a position of power in Oklahoma, to be a forerunner to champion equality? I am reminded of Matthew 7 verse 12 where Jesus commands, "In Everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." and of 1 Samuel, chapter 16 verse 7, when the Lord says to Samuel, "God doesn't look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart."
All it takes is one, and sometimes that one person is the least likely person. Could the unlikely James Lankford step up, or maybe Pastor Greg Groeschel at Life Church, who once showed his support for Chick-fil-A and their anti-gay stance? Will they be among the first to show what true Christianity is about? Or maybe even Sally Kern could be delivered to the truth of what God calls his children to do, which is love. Or maybe, just maybe, Governor Mary Fallin will step up and be the role model she should be for the state.
For those who are currently fighting to champion equality in Oklahoma, Thank You! I know it is hard labor but the Oklahoma motto is "Labor omnia vincit" (Latin for "Labor conquers all things.)
Keep on keeping on,
Dillon Peña