A Note to Kay from Patrick (Los Angeles, CA)

I feel compelled to thank someone publicly for loving me for who I am and for standing up for freedom and for my basic rights as a gay man and for being a straight ally in the fight against ignorance, homophobia and fear.

The vast majority of my friends and family, straight, gay or otherwise, are either unconditionally supportive of LGBT equality or at least love ME (their favorite gay) for who I am in my totality. It is often more difficult for my straight allies to stand up in small towns or especially on social media and say they stand with me for equal protection and my right to marry who I love. It puts THEM at risk of alienating people in their life when they themselves are not gay. It brings drama to their door that they frankly don't need. To me, it is a brave and strong decision and one I do not take lightly. My gay friends are often at the forefront of this fight EVERYWHERE and I applaud them! And many of my straight friends support the cause publicly and in general, but in the past two days, Kay Galbreath Arnold has taken a specific stand for me personally!

I've been very hurt and discouraged with a lot of the hate and vitriol I have seen in the past several months (it seems more ramped up with the election and as more and more LGBT people are fighting for their rights). I posted Tom Viola's thoughts about the election and my wish for people to unfriend or de-friend me on Facebook, whatever you call it, if they are voting for someone who wants to push me back in the closet or worse. So for Kay to spread my message without fear and then continue to stand with me even as some criticize and condemn her, for that...I am eternally grateful.

There is a song from the musical SNOOPY called If Just One Person Believes In You. Thankfully I have bunches and bunches of people who believe in me and today I wanted to thank Kay for being one of them and let her know I love her and appreciate her a WHOLE lot!