Thursday, February 03, 2011

Iowa teenager stands up for his gay parents.



What an impressive and well spoken young man.

Let me just say again how much hope I have for the future of this country when I see this next generation.

39 comments:

  1. Wow! What an impressive young man. I bet that his parents are both so proud. Thank you for posting this G.

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  2. Anonymous4:04 PM

    This made me cry. What beautiful, articulate testimony.

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  3. I'd be proud if he was my son-- what an eloquent speaker and thinker!

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  4. laprofesora4:05 PM

    Anyone who can be against gay marriage after hearing this young man speak is inhuman.

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  5. erica from dallas4:13 PM

    zak will be on The Last Word on msnbc at any moment

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  6. Anonymous4:19 PM

    I want to hug that kid, and both of his Mothers.

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  7. Anonymous4:28 PM

    Congratulations to his parents for a job well done!
    -Fred

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  8. Wow! I'm so proud to be from Iowa. As a matter of fact, I have a 19 year-old daughter at the University of Iowa where this young man is studying to be an engineer. I can't imagine her having to defend her straight parents' right to marry and raise children. I am so hopeful that by the time this young man has grandchildren, they won't even understand what the controversy was all about.

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  9. what a wonderful young man :)

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  10. ManxMamma4:46 PM

    What a great young man. Thanks for posting this Gryphen, it needs to be seen far and wide!

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  11. Zach Wahls and Daniel Hernandez for President/Vice President in 2028. As Democrats, of course!

    You heard it here first.

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  12. NEW

    Sarah Palin And Daughter Bristol Are Trademarking Their Names

    http://www.alan.com/2011/02/03/sarah-palin-and-daughter-bristol-are-trademarking-their-names/

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  13. Anonymous5:30 PM

    What a lovely impressive young man. His parents have done such an amazing job. Brought tears to my eyes. I share a home with two amazing young men, and am thankful everyday that we live somewhere where they can be with each other and have a family and most people don't bat an eyelid.

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  14. Molly5:34 PM

    Gryphen, you have GOT to stop making me cry!!

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  15. Anonymous5:40 PM

    Great kid.
    Bet he makes he moms really proud.

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  16. Anonymous5:48 PM

    But I'll bet those country hicks were looking at him the whole time thinking he must be gay too. Those Republicans must be 30 years behind everyone else, and would have no problem taking away anyones rights who don't believe as they do.

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  17. Anonymous5:56 PM

    This is so touching. What a wonderful family. Now that's a terrific example of family values!!

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    O/T but important-- OK, so it's clear that SOMEONE doesn't want our friend Dirk to be able to keep his blog up. That is significant, but hardly surprising.

    Before we get lost in the details of Shailey's business dealings, what she saw and didn't see, let's not forget one (of many) important facts in the babygate puzzle. SP ANNOUNCED her pregnancy the day
    AFTER McCain got the nomination in early March'08. There are no
    co-incidences--- isnt that right Sarah??!?! Isn't that right NE writers and editors??!?!

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  18. Warrior896:11 PM

    I'm glad you posted this Gryphen. Saw it yesterday - he makes me proud to be an Iowan! Impressive young man!

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  19. Anonymous6:11 PM

    I am so close to your heart gryhen. I know your daughter is precious to you. That is what we stand for and do.

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  20. Anonymous6:36 PM

    Such an articulate, intelligent,
    well mannered young man. I want
    to hug him and his gay parents.
    A beautiful son! An eloquent
    speaker with so much grace and
    class.

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  21. Anonymous6:38 PM

    Loved this story!

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  22. Anonymous6:57 PM

    This was on O'Donnell's show last night. This guy is amazing, you would never know he is only 19 years old. What a bright future he has.

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  23. Anonymous6:59 PM

    Trademarking their names? The Palin name is not famous, it's infamous. There's a difference.

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  24. Anonymous7:07 PM

    Wow - what a great young man.

    BTW, I am a sixty year old woman who's been married for 40 years, and I cannot begin to imagine any worthwhile reason to be against any one wanting to marry and live with the person they love - regardless of sexual orientation. Love is simply love and the is a blessing to cherish.

    I really do not get these right-wing creeps and their narrow minds. This has nothing to do with religion. It has to do with fear of the other.

    I hope that this issue is soon settled with wisdom and compassion in favor of love for everyone. The young people coming forth are giving me hope!

    Thank you for sharing this clip. I hope hundreds of thousands of people see it and are touched by his eloquence.

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  25. Martha7:16 PM

    I'm jealous of the people who heard this. Everywhere I go to listen to it, starting here and then to YouTube and then all over, the audio is weirded out. Is this just me?

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  26. Anonymous7:39 PM

    Wow...what an outstanding young man. His parents have obviously done a great job raising him. He makes so many very legitimate points and makes them well.

    So..what is with those two old fools behind him, passing notes and whispering..then getting up and leaving during his speech...shame on them! Common decency seems beyond them. They don't want to listen to him, as he just might prove them to be wrong....and they'd hate to have to change their minds? Maybe I am misjudging them...perhaps they are not the jerks they appear in this video. If so, I apoligize...and remind them to be more aware that they are on camera.

    I need to go do a google search and see how the vote went.

    Like you, I feel like there is hope for this country when I watch tapes like this.

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  27. Anonymous7:45 PM

    A young engineering student is giving a courageous, coherent lecture (apparently without a teleprompter) about himself from conception to the present, a beautiful lecture about love in all of its manifestations.

    I have no doubt that he will do well in academia, and also look forward to seeing him high on a future list for Secretary of Energy.

    This man and his family are living proof of progress. They have my admiration.

    fromthediagonal

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  28. Anonymous7:54 PM

    Phoebes in santa fe @ 5:02
    I had similar thoughts!
    Hope to hear from these two and many others who think from the rational, analytic, reasoning side of their brains in the not-so-distant future as they enter politics.
    We cannot continue upon the path of whatever leftover medieval mindset seems to be prevalent in certain circles.

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  29. Ted Powell8:00 PM

    "OK, so it's clear that SOMEONE doesn't want our friend Dirk to be able to keep his blog up."

    Three posts today, at http://alaskawtf.com/
    (Nothing new at the old address: http://alaskawtf.blogspot.com/ )

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  30. What an impressive young man! I can only hope that someday my son and my daughter will be as articulate. Fantastic job Wahls parents!!

    It seems like such a simple concept - that whole treat people the way you would like to be treated thing...

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  31. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that certain states outlawed interracial marriages. Tonight on TDS, there was another "satirical" piece on the movement to unseat the speaker of the Texas House because he was not Christian. He is a Republican and a Jew. (Seems like an oxymoron, but there you have it.) These so-called moral people held prayer vigils and one spokesman said that the group is against any non-Christians holding high office in Texas - especially Muslims. Folks, this is what we're got out there in Rightville. And these are the people who listen to Sarah Palin. We're a long way from these people ever accepting gay marriage. And my heart just broke after hearing that fine young man's speech. However, he will be fine and so will his mothers because they are decent, caring people. While some so-called Christians hang on to their bibles and their prejudices.

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  32. Damn I would hire that kid in a heart beat. Completely outstanding.

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  33. Anonymous11:34 PM

    Exclusive: Iowa teen talks marriage ban

    “If it was your family that was being told it didn’t have the legal right to exist in your state, I think you would have done the same thing,” Wahls told MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell in an exclusive interview. “Response has really just been absolutely overwhelming. It’s been so inspirational for me to hear from so many people. They’re supporting my family and the rights of gay couples and families.”

    In his three-minute speech, Wahls described his loving and stable childhood as an Eagle scout and hardworker who scored in the top 99-percentile on the ACT. He said his parent’s sexual orientation had “zero effect on the content of his character.”

    House Republicans in Iowa voted to create a ballot measure that, if approved, would not only ban same-sex marriage, but state recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships.

    The right of same-sex couples to marry in Iowa has come under attack from the moment the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of legalizing it nearly two years ago. Iowa is one of only five states to allow same-sex couples to marry.

    The 19-year-old Wahls says he has no plans to run for office in the future. He’s currently studying engineering at the University of Iowa.

    His speech is making his moms very proud.

    “It still brings tears to my eyes watching the talk, hearing all the praise, the commentary coming from friends and people around the globe,” said his mother, Terry Wahl. “It’s inspiring. It’s really very, very lovely.”

    http://thelastword.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/03/5984493-exclusive-iowa-teen-talks-marriage-ban

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  34. dominicastar1:28 AM

    Alaska WTF is linking to page not found again, is there more issues with it?

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  35. Oh my goodness! That was just lovely! He spoke so well, with authenticity and heart and just really carried such beautiful energy.

    Wow .... just wow.

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  36. Loved this....saw it on MSNBC last night as well.

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  37. Anonymous6:19 AM

    This is one amazing young man.

    ANY parent would be proud to have his family as friends.

    Good PEOPLE come in all types of families.

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  38. Anonymous2:15 PM

    Next chapter in an on-going story of a mom who allowed her 5 year old son to dress as a female TV character for Halloween, the reaction of some of the mothers at his church-run pre-school, her blog on that, which went viral.

    She is now on the verge of being anathematized by her pastor.

    http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2011/02/03/epilogue/


    Aurora

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  39. Anonymous4:34 AM

    This young man is an inspiration.

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