A couple years back I posted my first iReport regarding bullying against LGBT youth. And yet again, we are at a point in this election that we need to protect those lifes even more.

There are currently four states with initiatives or referendums on gay marriage. Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington are ready to go to the ballots and cast their vote on equal rights. Because of this, I figured I would share my story once again.

Growing up in a predominately southern part of Florida where the Rebel flag was flown daily made childhood very difficult for me. I was born in 1971 and I was born gay. Yes, I was born that way. I grew up with the snickers, the assumptions, and yes the bullying that so many of today's youth deal with. It has been over 40 years and these teenagers still go through the same humiliating torment that I endured. I tried to go to church and pray to be like everyone else. I dated girls, I even "finished the deed" hoping this would turn me straight. None of this worked. I was destined to be who I am today. There were many times that I wished I were dead, but something told me that it was not the way to resolve the sadness and anger I held inside. I met my first boyfriend when I was 22 and I couldn't celebrate this with family because they didn't understand why I chose this lifestyle! They didn't understand it was never a choice. There were no big celebrations, no wedding bells, no blessings from the families. We all deserve these things, yet because I was gay, I was denied! Today's youth have seen more acceptance than I did back in the 80's and 90's but the pain that they feel is the same. They still get bullied, they still get called names from, not only their classmates, but even the politicians who are suppose to represent them. Our leaders bully just as much as those classmates. Our congress, church leaders and even television pundits are saying that being gay is wrong! Being gay is a sin! Being gay is against God! Being gay is a choice that voids any rights to equal freedom! Society has made the word gay evil because they are told by the very people in power that it is wrong to be gay. Society has put their trust in the government, church leaders and the media. The first step at solving these issues is to approve equal rights intiatives in your state