It’s National Coming Out Day.

No, I’m not coming out. However, I am a strong supporter of equal rights. We did it for women, we did it for African Americans, now let’s do it for LGBTs. Here’s a few facts for all you haters out there. Perhaps one day you’ll change your minds.

• 24 countries currently allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Not including the US.
• 7 countries give rights to LGBT couples, and Spain gives the exact same rights to straight and gay marriages. The US does not.
• Only 5 states (plus our nation’s capital, DC) recognize marriage equality, while 30 states have actually banned same-sex marriage.
• Almost 90% of LGBT youth experience harassment in school.
• Over 14,000 service members have been discharged from the military under the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.
• In 29 states, you can be fired from your job for being lesbian, gay or bisexual and in 38 states for being transgender.
• 61% of Americans believe that transgender individuals should be legally protected from discrimination.

One of the most irritating, annoying, ridiculous arguments against gay marriage and homosexuality comes from those whose only source of reason is one single book. A book that has been translated into English from Hebrew and Greek. A book that is interpreted to mean however you intend it to mean. A book with 25 English versions and old school language. A book they like to call the Bible. Back to my point: those against LGBTs who use the Bible as their “moral compass,” whether they interpret or take each sentence literally, 1) are living in another century and 2) can be disputed in every argument they make (most of the time using the same piece of literature). I had a good friend tell me that the Bible does, in fact, state directly that homosexuality is wrong and sinners will go to Hell. However, with my own research (and help from a wonderful ethics professor), I have concluded that this idea is completely asinine and a ploy of homophobic religious fanatics to call LGBTs “immoral.”

First off, let me clarify that the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek. We, as English speaking people, translated it into our own language. There are words in some languages that we simply cannot translate properly, giving the original word justice. Let’s take “ilunga,” or the  south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Tshiluba word meaning “person who is ready to forgive any abuse the first time it occurs, to tolerate it the second time, but to neither forgive nor tolerate a third offense,” for instance. There is no word in the English language to specify what is meant by “ilunga.” Let’s take it back a few centuries, with the word “arsenokoitai.” Corinthians and Timothy both use this word, which when literally translated into two parts, “arsen” means “man“; “koitai” means “beds.” There is a lot more evidence backing up how the Bible did not mean “homosexuality,” but instead, a man pretending to sleep with a woman or so forth, but I’d rather you just read this page yourself. It’s rather informative.

Anyway, here’s another difference in in translations. My good friend took the 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 from one version:

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

While I took the “translation to end all translations” version from the King James Bible:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Which version is the correct translation? Only the ancient Greeks know the answer to that. Okay, well now that I’ve turned this pro-LGBT post into a religion rant, it’s about time to recover from Insanity, day two. My body is stiff and like jello all at the same time. Possible? Apparently. It was rather intense, but I didn’t puke today. Proud? Hope so! Anyway, I encourage you to check out the links, and let me know what you think. I enjoy stirring things up a bit from time to time.

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Cheers To The Next 60 Days.

Starting today, my boyfriend and I will be doing the Insanity workout. Insane, you ask? Yes. In all honesty, I miss being in shape. I used to play soccer, and dance, and snowboard, and… you get the idea. Then college came and went, and the six-pack went with it. Don’t worry, I’m not one of those average girls who complains that she’s so fat blah blah blah. I am of healthy weight, I would just like to tone it up a bit. I’ve heard horror stories about this workout plan, and I’m ready. Well, as soon as today’s headache decides it would like to vacate.

The Boyfriend started this morning, just the fitness test, and said he felt like jello afterwords. I’m a bit nervous because I don’t know what to expect. I spent hours Google-ing whether or not Insanity actually works, and how difficult it truly is, and I’m looking forward to Hell and its results. I’m ready. I’m tired of saying I’m going to go for a run, when in all reality, my run turns into a slight jog, followed by a few minutes of walking, followed by slower walking, and then just ceases to be called a “run” at all. I went to the gym a couple times, mainly to do yoga, but I just couldn’t afford more than the free three day trial. So it’s time. I’m ready. Here we go. Wish me luck.