As Christian nationalists demonize LGBTQ people, a former student and friend of Harris' VP running mate and his wife explains how their values guide them to fight for equality.
I'm very moved by this. If only I had had any adult like Walz to support me in junior high. I'm so glad he was there for those kids. It reminds you how kind humans can be.
Jake was very fortunate to encounter a very open and fostering environment with the Walz's - especially in Minnesota.
Like Jake, I was struggling with my sexuality in high school - an all-boys religious school to boot (Xaverian Brothers), and also didn't know any other gay people. This was in the late 80's, during the AIDS crisis, so gay men were already being stigmatized by society. My aunt was a devout Catholic. She attended Mass daily, walking a mile each way to the church, and she was someone who I had tremendous respect for, and someone I could talk to. We ultimately had "the talk". She told me two things; first, she already knew I was gay (I wish adults would just tell us that beforehand, it would eliminate a lot of the anxiety!!), and second, that God made me, and the fact that I was gay was just part of his plan for me. Also, that I was family and would always be welcomed in her home. No judgement, no recriminations, no burning in Hell, and that who was she to second-guess God?
Due to the whole sexual abuse crisis I'm not a practicing Catholic, and believe the lessons of God and the Bible have been selfishly perverted by those who claim to be speaking in his name. But for people like my aunt and the Walz's, who understand that that the Golden Rule of most religions is simply "treat others as you would like them to treat you", being gay is no different from the color of your eyes - it's just part of who you are.
Your Aunt was a true Christian. Why is it so hard for those who feel entitled to judge to just stay in their own damn lane? Thank you for sharing your experience.
To me a true Christian is someone who believes in equality for all and staying out of people's bedrooms. A true Christian is not a hypocrite about how they live their own lives but then feel entitled to judge and make laws about how others should live their lives - much like the Evangelicals who vote for Trump. But that's me. That is what I mean "exactly".
I had seen the doc FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO back in 2007 when it was released in theaters. On a whim I rewatched it last weekend and was reminded of Jake Reitan and his parents who are featured in the film, along with their activism in Minnesota, my home state.
Then, to my surprise, I was driving home from work earlier this week, listening to Michelangelo's show, and he introduced Jacob Reitan, and I thought, "That name is familiar," and I realized it was the same guy I had just rewatched in the documentary. It was great to hear his interview and to know what he has been up to since 2007.
Frank I know what you mean. I had no clue who Tim Walz was and until he was named as Kamala’s running mate did no research on him. After learning exactly who he is and what he (and his family) stand for I could not be more excited.
Thank you so much for writing this. It just confirms (to me at least) he & his wife are the real deal. Wonderful courageous, smart, kind people. So grateful KH chose him.
I love that Walz and his wife support full equality for LGBT people because of their faith, and not in spite of it. Thank you for this revelatory and beautiful essay, Michael
Both Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have empathy for people, which is such a stark contrast to Drumpf, who constantly thinks about his own needs. The quote by Tim , about not wanting to deny anyone the joy he has in his marriage to his wife Gwen, says it all.
the cynical scumbags will parrot all kinds of indignation and outrage in the worst spirit of "i know you are but what am I?", but i doubt 'Vance' and his wife can mirror this (and 0% chance Donnie & Melania can!)
What a wonderful man Walz is and his wife. Such decent kind people in the midst of the hypocritical so called Christians that are full of hate and judgement.
I heard your interview with Jacob and it just cemented my opinion that Tim Walz will be a great VP. I sure wish I had a Gwen Walz in my (way back in the Stone Age) high school. It would have made things so much easier.
Thank you for this editorial. It is so wonderful to have this written history about our future vice-president and his wife. It’s nice to take a slow, deep breath of relief and joy about the possibility of our county going forward in our healing.
When I was young, a red-headed little munchkin, I could not or would not go to sleep without my teddy bear. To me he was much more than a pacifier blanket. Teddy was my loyal companion in all things and decisions that mattered.
At some point I grew up. WOW!!!
After being so important to me for much of my childhood, Teddy was vanquished into the dustbin of my youth.
I excelled in high school, winning a National Science Scholarship to study geology at Emory University’s geology camp in Ringold, Ga. This was at the end of my junior year. I always wanted to go to Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. However tuition was much more than I could afford, and I wound up at Clemson University in my home state of South Carolina.
Near the end of two years at Clemson, and having goofed off by playing too much bridge, along with a total lack of interest in my education, I realized that I had a real chance of being drafted which I did not want. Thus, I joined the US NAVY’s submarine service. I figured I would be 600 feet under the water, and nobody would be shooting at me. I have a very strong phobia of bullets tearing into my flesh.
After spending so much of my military time as a “squid,” I went back to Clemson and completed my degree in English and Secondary Education, and built my first house in Walhalla, SC, thanks to the GI BILL.
I was married at this time and still am to the same wonderful woman for 57 years. We had two children, a son and a daughter. My daughter, Meg, died eight years ago at age 39. She was my much loved “wild child.” But that is another venue for another rant.
I'm 80 and my wife is 78. our son and daughter-in-law wanted us to downsize before we got too old to do it so they could care for us in our declining years. The house on the corner next door to them came on the market. We left our home of 40 years across town and bought the 1924 Craftsman style home which was in utter disrepair and considered a tear down. Having found a fantastic builder who saved us a bunch of money, he began reconstruction. After three months we had a "brand new" home, complete with new electrical, plumbing, and exterior. Our new neighborhood was so very welcoming, and we had found the last home we would spend our lives in, a welcome respite from so many uncertainties.
Our daughter was Meg, and our daughter-in law is Meghan. My wife had given Meghan some of Meg's clothes that fit her. Another neighbor who is an excellent seamstress, asked her for one of Meg's blouses, because she wanted to make something for us in rememberance of our Meg.
A week later she presented us with the most beautifully made and professionaly put together TEDDY BEAR. It was made from one of Meg's old blouses, and on one of the feet, she had embroidered the quote: "IN MEMORY OF MEG."
Now I do not know of any other 80 year old man who sleeps with a TEDDY BEAR NAMED FREDDY. Every night when I say my prayers and meditations, I reach out, gently take hold of that little foot, squeeze it softly, and tell my Meg how much I love her, miss her, and that me, her Poppie, will see her soon, according to whatever God's plan is for the rest of my life. Freddy gives me so much of a feeling of love and the presence of Meg, and I can't thank my neighbor, who barely knew me at the time, for such a caring gift. WOW! I shiver for the caring nature of such wonderful people. We are all a part of the whole and need to lean on each other in times of grief and longing. What a God given blessing.
I will detail more terrible memories about our Meg's battles with her additions at a future date. Stay tuned for some terrible memories of the past.
Tell me, if you can, of any of your experiences and memories you would like to share, either glad or sad. A burden shared is half as heavy!
I'm very moved by this. If only I had had any adult like Walz to support me in junior high. I'm so glad he was there for those kids. It reminds you how kind humans can be.
Jake was very fortunate to encounter a very open and fostering environment with the Walz's - especially in Minnesota.
Like Jake, I was struggling with my sexuality in high school - an all-boys religious school to boot (Xaverian Brothers), and also didn't know any other gay people. This was in the late 80's, during the AIDS crisis, so gay men were already being stigmatized by society. My aunt was a devout Catholic. She attended Mass daily, walking a mile each way to the church, and she was someone who I had tremendous respect for, and someone I could talk to. We ultimately had "the talk". She told me two things; first, she already knew I was gay (I wish adults would just tell us that beforehand, it would eliminate a lot of the anxiety!!), and second, that God made me, and the fact that I was gay was just part of his plan for me. Also, that I was family and would always be welcomed in her home. No judgement, no recriminations, no burning in Hell, and that who was she to second-guess God?
Due to the whole sexual abuse crisis I'm not a practicing Catholic, and believe the lessons of God and the Bible have been selfishly perverted by those who claim to be speaking in his name. But for people like my aunt and the Walz's, who understand that that the Golden Rule of most religions is simply "treat others as you would like them to treat you", being gay is no different from the color of your eyes - it's just part of who you are.
Your Aunt was a true Christian. Why is it so hard for those who feel entitled to judge to just stay in their own damn lane? Thank you for sharing your experience.
…what exactly a “true Christian”?
https://reflections.yale.edu/article/violence-and-theology/christianity-and-violence
To me a true Christian is someone who believes in equality for all and staying out of people's bedrooms. A true Christian is not a hypocrite about how they live their own lives but then feel entitled to judge and make laws about how others should live their lives - much like the Evangelicals who vote for Trump. But that's me. That is what I mean "exactly".
…how’s that different just from good compassionate human being who do not believe in this crap ? …did you read the article ?
I had seen the doc FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO back in 2007 when it was released in theaters. On a whim I rewatched it last weekend and was reminded of Jake Reitan and his parents who are featured in the film, along with their activism in Minnesota, my home state.
Then, to my surprise, I was driving home from work earlier this week, listening to Michelangelo's show, and he introduced Jacob Reitan, and I thought, "That name is familiar," and I realized it was the same guy I had just rewatched in the documentary. It was great to hear his interview and to know what he has been up to since 2007.
Wow. I didn't know he was in that documentary. I have never watched it but will look it up.
Very encouraging about the Walz family. It bodes well. We must win. And to think I did not know of him or why he was even on the VP short list.
Frank I know what you mean. I had no clue who Tim Walz was and until he was named as Kamala’s running mate did no research on him. After learning exactly who he is and what he (and his family) stand for I could not be more excited.
Thank you so much for writing this. It just confirms (to me at least) he & his wife are the real deal. Wonderful courageous, smart, kind people. So grateful KH chose him.
I love that Walz and his wife support full equality for LGBT people because of their faith, and not in spite of it. Thank you for this revelatory and beautiful essay, Michael
Both Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have empathy for people, which is such a stark contrast to Drumpf, who constantly thinks about his own needs. The quote by Tim , about not wanting to deny anyone the joy he has in his marriage to his wife Gwen, says it all.
the cynical scumbags will parrot all kinds of indignation and outrage in the worst spirit of "i know you are but what am I?", but i doubt 'Vance' and his wife can mirror this (and 0% chance Donnie & Melania can!)
It’s so great that you are doing this work, Michael. If you weren’t so famous, I’d invite you to be on my “Get Psychological” Podcast.
What a wonderful man Walz is and his wife. Such decent kind people in the midst of the hypocritical so called Christians that are full of hate and judgement.
the more we hear abt Walz, the more we love him & everything he represents 🇺🇲
I heard your interview with Jacob and it just cemented my opinion that Tim Walz will be a great VP. I sure wish I had a Gwen Walz in my (way back in the Stone Age) high school. It would have made things so much easier.
Total support!
A terrific, terrific piece, Michelangelo!
Thank you for this editorial. It is so wonderful to have this written history about our future vice-president and his wife. It’s nice to take a slow, deep breath of relief and joy about the possibility of our county going forward in our healing.
When I was young, a red-headed little munchkin, I could not or would not go to sleep without my teddy bear. To me he was much more than a pacifier blanket. Teddy was my loyal companion in all things and decisions that mattered.
At some point I grew up. WOW!!!
After being so important to me for much of my childhood, Teddy was vanquished into the dustbin of my youth.
I excelled in high school, winning a National Science Scholarship to study geology at Emory University’s geology camp in Ringold, Ga. This was at the end of my junior year. I always wanted to go to Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. However tuition was much more than I could afford, and I wound up at Clemson University in my home state of South Carolina.
Near the end of two years at Clemson, and having goofed off by playing too much bridge, along with a total lack of interest in my education, I realized that I had a real chance of being drafted which I did not want. Thus, I joined the US NAVY’s submarine service. I figured I would be 600 feet under the water, and nobody would be shooting at me. I have a very strong phobia of bullets tearing into my flesh.
After spending so much of my military time as a “squid,” I went back to Clemson and completed my degree in English and Secondary Education, and built my first house in Walhalla, SC, thanks to the GI BILL.
I was married at this time and still am to the same wonderful woman for 57 years. We had two children, a son and a daughter. My daughter, Meg, died eight years ago at age 39. She was my much loved “wild child.” But that is another venue for another rant.
I'm 80 and my wife is 78. our son and daughter-in-law wanted us to downsize before we got too old to do it so they could care for us in our declining years. The house on the corner next door to them came on the market. We left our home of 40 years across town and bought the 1924 Craftsman style home which was in utter disrepair and considered a tear down. Having found a fantastic builder who saved us a bunch of money, he began reconstruction. After three months we had a "brand new" home, complete with new electrical, plumbing, and exterior. Our new neighborhood was so very welcoming, and we had found the last home we would spend our lives in, a welcome respite from so many uncertainties.
Our daughter was Meg, and our daughter-in law is Meghan. My wife had given Meghan some of Meg's clothes that fit her. Another neighbor who is an excellent seamstress, asked her for one of Meg's blouses, because she wanted to make something for us in rememberance of our Meg.
A week later she presented us with the most beautifully made and professionaly put together TEDDY BEAR. It was made from one of Meg's old blouses, and on one of the feet, she had embroidered the quote: "IN MEMORY OF MEG."
Now I do not know of any other 80 year old man who sleeps with a TEDDY BEAR NAMED FREDDY. Every night when I say my prayers and meditations, I reach out, gently take hold of that little foot, squeeze it softly, and tell my Meg how much I love her, miss her, and that me, her Poppie, will see her soon, according to whatever God's plan is for the rest of my life. Freddy gives me so much of a feeling of love and the presence of Meg, and I can't thank my neighbor, who barely knew me at the time, for such a caring gift. WOW! I shiver for the caring nature of such wonderful people. We are all a part of the whole and need to lean on each other in times of grief and longing. What a God given blessing.
I will detail more terrible memories about our Meg's battles with her additions at a future date. Stay tuned for some terrible memories of the past.
Tell me, if you can, of any of your experiences and memories you would like to share, either glad or sad. A burden shared is half as heavy!
peppermiller3011@gmail.com