The myth of the gay agenda - LZ Granderson

Summary

In this heartfelt and humorous speech, the speaker recounts a transformative moment watching 'Torch Song Trilogy' as a closeted 16-year-old, which resonated with their struggle for love and respect. They humorously deconstruct the notion of the 'gay lifestyle' as a threat, revealing it to be ordinary life. The speaker passionately advocates for equality, highlighting the absurdity of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of recognizing the rights outlined in the US Constitution for all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The speaker discovered their identity through a movie, 'Torch Song Trilogy', which resonated with their personal journey of self-acceptance and the search for love and respect.
• 🌈 The script highlights the importance of love and respect in the LGBTQ+ community, using a personal narrative to emphasize that these are universal human needs, not just LGBTQ+ issues.
• 😢 A powerful scene from 'Torch Song Trilogy' deeply affected the speaker, illustrating the impact of media on personal identity and the struggle for acceptance.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The speaker humorously addresses the concept of the 'gay lifestyle', pointing out the absurdity of the term by listing everyday activities as if they were part of a nefarious agenda.
• 🤔 The script questions the fear and misunderstanding around the 'gay lifestyle', challenging the audience to reconsider what they think they know about LGBTQ+ individuals.
• 💍 The story of the penguin and the pebble is used as a metaphor for commitment and love, showing that LGBTQ+ relationships are no different from heterosexual ones.
• 😅 The humor in the script serves to disarm prejudice and make the audience reflect on the absurdity of discriminating against people based on their sexual orientation.
• 📜 The 'gay agenda' is revealed to be the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the irony that the rights LGBTQ+ people seek are already enshrined in the nation's founding document.
• 🚫 The script points out the legal discrimination that still exists in many U.S. states against LGBTQ+ individuals, showing that the fight for equality is far from over.
• 👨‍👦 The speaker shares a personal story about being a good father and the injustice of being disqualified from adoption solely based on sexual orientation.
• 🤝 The final message encourages the audience to look at the person next to them and treat them with love and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Q & A

What movie did the speaker initially think they were watching when they came across 'Torch Song Trilogy'?

The speaker initially thought they were watching 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' when they stumbled upon 'Torch Song Trilogy'.

What was the main theme of 'Torch Song Trilogy' as described in the script?

The main theme of 'Torch Song Trilogy' was about a drag queen looking for love and respect, and finding their place in the world.

What powerful scene from 'Torch Song Trilogy' had a lasting impact on the speaker?

The powerful scene that had a lasting impact on the speaker was when the main character, Arnold, tells his mother that he only needs love and respect from anyone, and those who can't give him those two things have no place in his life.

What realization did the speaker have after coming out and accepting their identity?

The speaker realized that not all gay people were as happy as they were, and that there was a lot of hate, anger, frustration, and fear surrounding the gay lifestyle.

What did the speaker find out about the so-called 'gay lifestyle' after examining their own life?

The speaker found out that the 'gay lifestyle' was not inherently evil or different from anyone else's; it included mundane activities like drinking coffee, getting stuck in traffic, and cooking for family.

What did the speaker's partner, Steve, do when they first started dating that symbolized their commitment to each other?

Steve presented the speaker with a pebble, a symbol of wanting to spend the rest of their life together, which is a tradition among penguins when they find their mate.

Why did the speaker feel scared and confused when they heard politicians say the 'gay lifestyle' was a threat to civilization?

The speaker felt scared and confused because they were living a normal life and did not understand how their lifestyle could be seen as destructive to civilization.

What did the speaker discover when they found a bootleg copy of the 'official gay agenda'?

The speaker discovered that the 'official gay agenda' was actually the United States Constitution, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens.

What rights are still being denied to the LGBTQ+ community in some states according to the script?

In some states, the LGBTQ+ community can still be fired from their jobs or evicted from their homes simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, which goes against the principles of the US Constitution.

How does the speaker feel about their ability to be a good parent and the discrimination they face in adoption?

The speaker feels confident in their ability to be a good parent, as evidenced by their son's achievements, but they are disheartened by the discrimination they face in adoption due to their sexual orientation.

What message does the speaker want the audience to take away regarding the 'gay lifestyle' and 'gay agenda'?

The speaker wants the audience to understand that the 'gay lifestyle' and 'gay agenda' are not about taking away rights but about seeking equality and the same rights that are guaranteed by the US Constitution.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Personal Reflections on Identity and the Power of Love

The speaker recounts a pivotal moment in their youth when they identified with a character from the movie 'Torch Song Trilogy,' which resonated with their own struggle for love and respect as a gay individual. They share a powerful quote that has stayed with them for 25 years, emphasizing the importance of love and respect in their life. The speaker humorously reflects on the concept of a 'gay lifestyle,' highlighting the absurdity of the fear and misunderstanding surrounding it. They express their happiness after coming out and accepting their identity, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by others in the community.

05:00

🐧 The Penguins' Metaphor for Love and Commitment

The speaker shares a touching story about how their partner, Steve, proposed to them using a pebble, a metaphor inspired by penguins' mating rituals. This symbolizes their commitment to spend their lives together. The speaker uses humor to address the misconceptions about the 'gay lifestyle,' suggesting that it's no different from the everyday lives of heterosexual individuals. They also express their relief and joy at President Obama's support for marriage equality, while playfully poking fun at the idea of a 'gay agenda.'

10:01

📜 The 'Gay Agenda' as a Misunderstood Quest for Equality

The speaker humorously 'reveals' the so-called 'gay agenda,' which they find to be a misinterpretation of the United States Constitution. They point out the irony in the fact that the rights they seek, such as protection from discrimination and the right to marry, are already enshrined in the Constitution. The speaker highlights the disparities in rights across different states, emphasizing the need for nationwide equality and the importance of recognizing the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to society.

15:07

👨‍👦‍👦 The Impact of Discrimination on Families and Society

The speaker passionately discusses the personal implications of discrimination, using their own experience as a father to a successful and well-rounded son. They argue against the disqualification of LGBTQ+ individuals from adopting children based on their sexual orientation, stressing the importance of character over identity. The speaker calls for a reflection on historical patterns of discrimination and a collective effort to treat everyone with love and respect, as outlined in the US Constitution.

Keywords

💡Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a popular movie from the 1980s, often associated with the actor Matthew Broderick. In the script, the speaker mistakenly recalls a different movie featuring Broderick, 'Torch Song Trilogy,' which leads to a pivotal moment in their understanding of their own identity. The movie serves as a cultural reference point and a catalyst for the speaker's self-discovery.

💡Torch Song Trilogy

Torch Song Trilogy is a film based on a play that explores the life of a drag queen seeking love and respect. The speaker identifies with the themes of the film, particularly the quest for love and respect, which resonates with their own journey of self-acceptance and understanding of their sexuality. This film is a key element in the speaker's narrative, symbolizing a moment of realization and connection.

💡Drag Queen

A drag queen is a person, typically male, who dresses in clothing typically associated with the opposite gender, often for the purpose of entertainment. In the script, the drag queen in 'Torch Song Trilogy' is a central character who is searching for love and respect. The speaker relates to this character, not in terms of performing drag, but in terms of the underlying desire for acceptance and love, which is a core theme of the video.

💡Love and Respect

Love and respect are central themes in the video, encapsulating the speaker's desire for acceptance and understanding from others. The speaker connects these concepts to their personal journey, highlighting the importance of these values in their life and in the lives of others who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The phrase is used to emphasize the fundamental human needs that drive the speaker's narrative and activism.

💡Gay Lifestyle

The term 'gay lifestyle' is used in the script to humorously and critically address the stereotypes and misconceptions about the lives of gay people. The speaker uses this term to challenge the notion that there is a monolithic or inherently 'evil' way of living associated with being gay. Instead, they highlight the mundane and universal aspects of their life, such as drinking coffee, getting stuck in traffic, and cooking for their family.

💡Gay Agenda

The 'gay agenda' is a term often used derogatorily by opponents of LGBTQ+ rights to suggest a coordinated effort to undermine societal norms. In the script, the speaker humorously reveals that the 'gay agenda' is actually the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the irony and absurdity of the term. This term is used to critique the way in which LGBTQ+ rights are often framed as a threat rather than a fundamental aspect of equality.

💡Marriage Equality

Marriage equality is the concept that all couples, regardless of their gender, should have the right to marry. The speaker mentions President Obama's support for marriage equality as a significant moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. This concept is central to the video's message about the importance of equal rights and the ongoing struggle for acceptance and legal recognition.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on their identity, in this case, their sexual orientation. The script discusses how LGBTQ+ individuals can face discrimination in areas such as housing and employment. The speaker uses this term to highlight the systemic inequalities that persist in society and the need for legal protections to ensure equality.

💡U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the country's fundamental principles and rights. In the script, the speaker humorously equates the 'gay agenda' with the Constitution, emphasizing that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is fundamentally about upholding the principles of equality and justice that are enshrined in the Constitution.

💡Adoption

Adoption is the legal process of taking another person's child to raise as one's own. The speaker discusses the issue of being disqualified from adopting due to their sexual orientation, highlighting the personal and societal implications of discrimination. This term is used to illustrate the tangible ways in which LGBTQ+ individuals are denied the same rights and opportunities as others.

💡Equality

Equality is the principle of treating people the same, without discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of equality in the context of LGBTQ+ rights, arguing that what they seek is not 'special rights' but the same rights that are afforded to others. This term encapsulates the core message of the video, which is the pursuit of equal treatment under the law.

Highlights

Recalling the moment of discovering the movie 'Torch Song Trilogy' at 16 years old and its impact on self-identity.

Emotional connection to the quote about needing love and respect from the main character in 'Torch Song Trilogy'.

The struggle of coming out and the joy of embracing one's identity as a gay man.

The irony of the term 'gay lifestyle' being used negatively while the speaker lives a typical, mundane life.

Humorously listing everyday activities as part of the 'evil gay lifestyle' such as drinking coffee and getting stuck in traffic.

The absurdity of politicians claiming the 'gay lifestyle' is a threat to civilization.

The personal realization of the normalcy in the 'gay lifestyle' and the lack of anything sinister.

The touching story of the penguin and the pebble as a symbol of commitment in a relationship.

The speaker's experience of being in love and the universality of love beyond sexual orientation.

The humorous yet poignant point that being single might make one 'gay', challenging stereotypes.

The speaker's frustration with never receiving a copy of the 'gay agenda' despite being an active member of the community.

The revelation that the 'gay agenda' is actually the US Constitution, highlighting the fight for equal rights.

The shocking fact that in some states, people can be fired or evicted solely based on their sexual orientation.

The speaker's personal connection to the issue, being a father and the potential impact on his ability to adopt.

The historical context of discrimination and the ongoing fight for equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation.

The call to action to remember the US Constitution and treat everyone with love and respect, regardless of their identity.

Transcripts

when I was about 16 years old I can

remember flipping through channels at

home during summer vacation looking for

a movie to watch on HBO and how many of

you remember Ferris Bueller's Day Off oh

yeah great movie right well I saw a

Matthew Broderick on a screen and so I

thought sweet Ferris Bueller I'll watch

this it wasn't Ferris Bueller and

forgive me Matthew Broderick I know

you've done other movies besides Ferris

Bueller but that's how I remember your

fares but you weren't doing pharisee

things at the time you were doing gay

things at the time he was in a movie

called torch song trilogy and torch song

trilogy was based on a play about this

drag queen who essentially was looking

for love love or respect that's what the

whole film was about and as I'm watching

I'm realizing that they're talking about

me not the drag queen part I'm not

shaking my hair for anyone but the gay

part the finding love and respect the

part about trying to find your place in

the world

so as I'm watching this I see this

powerful scene that brought me to tears

and it stuck with me for the past 25

years and it's this quote that the main

character Arnold tells his mother as

they're fighting about who he is and the

life that he lives there's one thing

more there's just one more thing you

better understand I've taught myself to

so cook fix plumbing build furniture I

can even pet myself in a back when

necessary also I don't have to ask

anyone for anything there's nothing I

need from anyone except for love and

respect anyone who can't give me those

two things has no place in my life I

remember that scene like he was

yesterday I was 16 I was in tears I was

in the closet and I'm listening I'm

looking at these two people Ferris

Bueller and some guy I've never seen

before

fighting for love when I finally got to

a place in my life where I came out and

accepted who I was and was really quite

happy to tell you the truth I was

happily gay and I guess that's supposed

to be right because gay means happy too

I realized that a lot of people weren't

as gay as I was gay being happy that gay

being attractive so same-sex in fact I

heard that there was a lot of hate and a

lot of anger and a lot of frustration

and a lot of fear about who I was and

the gay lifestyle now I'm sitting here

trying to figure out the gay lifestyle

the gay lifestyle and I keep hearing

this word over and over and over again

lifestyle lifestyle lifestyle I've even

heard politicians say that the gay

lifestyle is a greater threat to

civilization than terrorism that's when

I got scared

because I'm thinking if I'm gay and I'm

doing something that's gonna destroy

civilization I need to figure out what

this stuff is my need to stop doing it

right now

so I took a look at my life a hard look

at my life and I saw some things very

disturbing and I want to begin sharing

these evil things that I've been doing

with you

starting with my mornings I drink coffee

not only do I drink coffee I know other

gay people who drink coffee I get stuck

in traffic evil evil traffic sometimes I

get stuck in lines at airports I look

around I go my god look at all these gay

people we're all trapped in these lines

these long lines trying to get in the

airplane my god this lifestyle that I'm

living is so freakin evil I clean up

this is not an actual photograph of my

son's room

here's his Messier

and because I have a 15 year old all I

do is cook and cook and cook any parents

out there of teenagers all we do is cook

for these people they eat two three four

dinners a night is ridiculous this is

the gay lifestyle and after I'm done

cooking and cleaning in and standing in

line and getting stuck in traffic My

partner and I we get together and we

decide are we gonna go and have some

wild and crazy fun we're usually in bed

before we find out who's eliminated on

American Idol we have to wake up and

find out the next day who's still on

because we're too freaking tired to hear

who stays on this is the super duper

evil gay lifestyle run for your

heterosexual eyes people

when my partner Steve and I first

started dating he told me the story

about penguins and I didn't know where

he was going with it at first he was

kind of a little bit nervous when he was

sharing it with me but he told me that

when a penguin finds a mate that they

want to spend the rest of their life

with they present them with the pebble

the perfect pebble and then he reaches

into his pocket and he brings this out

to me and I've looked at it and I was

like this is really cool and he says I

want to spend the rest of my life with

you so I wear this whenever I have to do

something that makes me look nervous

like I don't know a TEDx talk

I wear this when I am apart from him for

a long period of time and sometimes I

just wear it just because how many

people out there aren't in love anyone

in love out there you might be gay

because I too am in love and apparently

that's part of their gay lifestyle I

warned you about

you may want to tell your spouse who if

they're in love might be gives well how

many of you are single and you single

people out there you too might be gay

because I know some gay people who are

also single it's really scary this gay

lifestyle thing it's SuperDuper evil and

there's no end to it

it goes and goes and engulfs it's really

quite silly isn't it that's why I'm so

happy to finally hear President Obama

come out and say that he supports

nahee supports marriage equality it's a

wonderful day in our country's history

is a wonderful day in the globe's

history to be able to have an actual

sitting president say enough of this

first to himself and then to the rest of

the world it's wonderful but there's

something that's been disturbing me

since he made that remark just a short

time ago and that is apparently this is

just another move by the gay activist

that's on the gay agenda and I'm

disturbed by this because I've been

openly gay now for quite some time I've

been to all of the functions I've been

to fundraisers I've written about the

topic and I have yet to receive my copy

of this gay agenda I pay my dues on time

I've marched in gay pride Flags parades

and the whole nine and I have yet to see

a copy of the gay agenda it was very

very frustrating I was feeling left out

like I wasn't quite gay enough but then

something wonderful happened I was out

shopping as I tend to do and I came

across a bootleg copy of the official

gay agenda and I said to myself LZ for

so long you have been denied this when

you get in front of this crowd you're

gonna share the news you're gonna spread

the gay agenda so no one else has to

wonder what exactly is in the gay agenda

what are these gays up to what do they

want

so without further ado I will present to

you ladies and gentlemen and be careful

because there's evil a copy the official

copy of the gay agenda

the people there it is they just soak it

all in the gay agenda some of you maybe

call it the Constitution United States

is that what you call it to the US

Constitution is the gay agenda these

days people like me want to be treated

like full citizens and it's all written

down

in plain sight I was blown away when I

saw it I was like wait this is the gay

agenda why don't you just call the

Constitution so I knew you were talking

about I wouldn't have been so confused I

wouldn't been so upset but there it is

the gay agenda run for your heterosexual

lives did you know that in all the

states where there is no shading that

people who are gay lesbian bisexual

transgender can be kicked out of their

apartments for being gay lesbian

bisexual transgendered that's the only

reason that a landlord needs to have

them removed because there is no

protection from discrimination of GLBT

people did you know in the states where

there is no shading that you can be

fired for being gay lesbian bisexual or

transgendered not based upon the quality

of your work how long you've been there

if you think just if you're gay lesbian

bisexual or transgendered all of which

flies in the face of the gay agenda also

known as the US Constitution

specifically this little amendment right

here no State shall make or enforce any

law which shall abridge the privileges

or immunities of citizens

the United States I'm looking at your

North Carolina but you're not looking at

the US Constitution this is the gay

agenda equality not special rights but

the rights are already written by these

people these elitist if you will

educated well dressed

some would daresay questionably dressed

nonetheless our forefathers right the

people that we say knew what they were

doing when they wrote the constitution

of the gay agenda if you will all that

flies in the face of what they did that

is the reason why I felt it was

imperative that I presented you with

this copy of the gay agenda because I

figured if I made it funny you wouldn't

be as threatened I figured if I was a

bit irreverent you wouldn't find it

serious but when you see the map and you

see our state of Michigan it's legal to

fire someone for being gay lesbian

bisexual transgendered that is legal to

remove someone from their home because

they are gay lesbian bisexual

transgendered but you've realized that

this whole conversation about marriage

equality

it's not about stripping someone's

rights away it's about granting them the

rights that are already been stated and

we're just trying to walk in those

rights that have already been stated

that we've already agreed upon there are

people living in fear of losing their

jobs so they don't show anyone who they

really are right here at home

this isn't just about North Carolina all

of those states that were clear it's

legal if I could brag for a second I

have a fifteen-year-old son from my

marriage he has a 4.0 he is starting a

new club at school policy debate

he's a budding track star he has almost

every single record in middle school for

every event that he competed in he

volunteers he prays before he eats I

would like to think as his father and he

lives with me primarily that I had a

little something to do with all of that

I would like to think that he's a good

boy a respectful young man I like to

think that I've proven to be a capable

father but if I were to go to the state

of Michigan today and try to adopt a

young person who is in an orphanage I

will be disqualified for only one reason

because I'm gay doesn't matter what I've

already proven what I can do with my

heart it's because of what the state of

Michigan says that I am that I am

disqualified for any sort of adoption

and that's not just about me that's

about so many other Michiganders US

citizens who don't understand why what

they are is so much more significant

than who they are this story just keeps

playing over and over and over again in

our country's history there was a time

in which I don't know people who were

black couldn't have the same rights

people who happen to be women didn't

have the same rights couldn't vote there

was a point in our history in which if

you were considered disabled that an

employer could just fire you before the

Americans with Disabilities Act we keep

doing this over and over again and so

here we are two thousand twelve gauge

and

gay lifestyle and I'm not a good dad and

people don't deserve to be able to

protect their families because of what

they are not who they are so when you

hear the words gay lifestyle and gay

agenda in the future I encourage you to

do two things one remember the US

Constitution and then two if you

wouldn't mind looking to your left

please look to your right that person

next to you is a brother as a sister and

they should be treated with love and

respect

thank you

you