Florida Agenda

By DAVID KITCHEN

The debate about gay marriage is in an interesting place these days. The extremists in the Republican Party continue to insist that legalizing the act will somehow tear our country apart. But outside of that radical thinking, the progress made regarding gay marriage, and its acceptance in general, has been heartening.

And that’s exactly why I took strong issue with what Rupert Everett, the openly gay actor with a history of critical commentary regarding gays, was recently quoted as saying. From his simple opinion that “children need a father and a mother,” to his infuriatingly dismissive and insulting judgment that “I can’t think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads,” Everett has shown himself to be something of a self-hating homosexual.

en.wikipedia.org

More importantly, though, he’s hurting a cause that he should be helping, regardless of how he feels about parenthood. I often get upset when people on “our side” don’t seem to understand the relevance or importance of the debate. I’m particularly troubled when such a person is perceived as taking the opposing side. Clearly he has no interest in being a parent.

Mr. Everett, as a man who is looking forward to the day when I get to hold my own baby in my arms, I would respectfully like to invite you to shut up, at least until you can prove that you’re not as misguided as you sound.

Just because you may not care to be a father does not mean that I don’t want to, or am incapable of doing so with another man. Your comments are a setback to an already-fragile cause. Is it difficult to accept that you’re furthering the cause of people who want to shove you back in the closet, and not allow you to live the life you’re currently living anymore?

That’s what happens when you make flippant, uneducated comments. Why would you bother bringing it up in the first place? You don’t have children, nor are you expecting to.

Beyond our differing desires regarding parenthood (and besides the fact you seem to dislike being gay), there’s also this: You’re flat-out wrong. The facts aren’t on your side.

There is no evidence to support that children from a same-sex household are at any significant disadvantage than their peers raised in heterosexual households. If there was clear evidence to prove that it’s a detriment to children, or that they were being placed at risk in any way, those who oppose gay marriage would quote those facts daily.

Although your decision to speak against your community provided you an opportunity to separate from us, you failed miserably in your chance to dignify yourself. This makes you as inaccurate as you are irrelevant. (I’ll be honest, the fact that I’m even taking the time to write about it bothers me.) As a community, we should be beyond the point of debating whether gay marriage is “morally acceptable.”

But when someone says something idiotic in order to make headlines, the only appropriate response is to come back with a “simple-as-a-Palin” retort to put them in their place. Really, Rupert: It’s a shame.

David Kitchen, a Phoenix native, is
captain of the Live Free Be Strong
team in this year’s Smart Ride

By Dale Madison

David Kitchen has such a familiar face that it might take a second for you to remember exactly from where you know him. The ever-conscientious, ever-smiling Kitchen, who works at Rosie’s Bar and Grill in Wilton Manors, will once more participate in the Smart Ride. What’s different for Kitchen is that this year, as well as giving back to the community, he is taking stand against a national outrage: The bullying of LGBT teens. “This has to stop,” says Kitchen.

“This is my fourth Smart Ride,” notes Kitchen, who says that the beneficiary this year of his fundraising—and cycling—efforts will be the Oakland Park-based Live Free Be Strong Foundation, which has a self-described mission of taking a stand to end bullying, by supporting grassroots organizations which provide education and outreach services.

“There are many members of the LGBT community who have experienced bullying,” says Kitchen, noting something that has become alltoo- familiar in today’s headlines. “One thing that I have found is that there is no age range,” he adds. “It can be a young man or woman coming out and dealing with their sexuality, or it can be someone older.”

Kitchen says that Live Free Be Strong attempts to impact three different groups which are ‘impacted’ by bullying: “Those who are bullies, those who are being bullied, and those who stand by and do nothing.”

The Arizona State alum has done more than take his bicycle on the road. “I recently made a presentation at Fort Lauderdale High School,” he explains, and notes that “on September 23, we will be collecting money at the Royal Palms Resort T Dance. There will be a fashion show presented by the Pride Factory, and eyewear provided by Chic Optique, and an open bar for one hour sponsored by Bud Light. Then on November 10, we are holding a yard sale, with all money going to the organization.”

Kitchen recognizes that there are individuals, businesses, and organizations that help make life better in our gay corner of the world. “Sidelines Sports Bar has been so supportive of the Smart Ride,” he notes. “They are hosting a Bar Olympics which will feature pool tournaments, poker, and darts, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Smart Ride.”

He has high hopes to be part of an ambitious agenda set by the organizers and sponsors of the event. “It’s our wish to raise $1 million this year for the Smart Ride,” he says. Those who want to be a part of that projected success, and to assist the Live Free Be Strong team riders in accomplishing it, can visit smartride.org, navigate to team 959, and enter the amount they would like to donate.

Kitchen says that he has excellent role models for giving back to the community, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. “I learned everything from John Zieba and Cliff Mulhahy, the owners of Rosie’s,” he says, with real gratitude. “I’ve watched these guys, and they truly love the community.” That sentiment seems to be catching.