Let justice roll down like waters

"But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

It's been a difficult week. A friend of mine has been accused of a crime he didn't commit. Not just accused, locked up, and arraigned. It isn't fair. It's never fair, is it?

I'm not going to talk about what he was accused of because everyone who knows him or knows The Center knows it's horseshit. I don't have to tell you all that. What I am going to talk about is what Nate Bowen has made happen in Enid, Oklahoma in the last few years. I'm going to preface this by reminding my readers that I'm a heterosexual Christian female (and single) and while I have been rightly called a bit of a fag hag---I had nothing personally to fear from the environment growing up. I do remember that when one of my classmates came out everyone in the drama department was afraid he was going to get the shit beat of him. I remember finding out that another kid I know told my best friend there wasn't any hope for him. I know someone pushed my friend down the stairs because she was a lesbian---probably within sight of a teacher or two and no one did anything about it. I know it was scary to be gay in Enid, Oklahoma. I also know every gay bar we've ever had has been shut down. I don't think it was the proprietors. I think it was a conspiracy.

But let's not talk about that. In the last two years, Enid's gay community, with help and instigation from Nate Bowen has made a dent in that misery. Click here to learn more. Nathan is a caring, giving human being who would do anything for anybody and never expect a thing in return. The times I've been to The Center, I've found a friendly, clean environment with nice people. I've never seen or even heard of anything scandalous or unwholesome going on there. It's a good place to go---for everyone. I've never had anyone look at me funny for being straight there. It is genuinely a community center. People are building a community there. Nate started it. He conned me and a few others into going to a meeting at the library and I left as PFLAG's secretary. Oh. Boy. I think a lot of us felt that way for a long time---but my God, look what it's become! Enid has a glbt community center that's successful enough to be threatening to Old Guard.

People are afraid of what they don't understand and this fear has taken on an ugly face. I say we get in that ugly face---by not going anywhere. Don't back down. Don't stop. Don't go away. Don't move. Don't sell your house. Don't stop saying your friend is innocent. Don't shut up. Don't go back into the shadows.

Because if you do they win. Instead, push for justice. Demand it. Don't stop until we get it. When it's over, demand an apology. Stand up and take what's already ours, yes, ours. This town is big enough for everyone. Most of all, stop being afraid---because the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. I believe Nate has that light in him. He lets everyone see too. Don't let it go out. Don't lose faith.

"But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Pray for justice to be done. Don't let go. Keep knocking until the door is opened.