Originally, I told myself I wasn’t going to read this whole piece because it’s an estimated 14 minute read, and I have friends over.

Before I knew it, I beckoned one of my friends to read this piece along with me over my shoulder. It is well written, and your commentary had us laughing. I appreciate you taking the time to write this even though you weren’t obligated to.

At this point, I feel like LaMar Going is getting way too much attention from us. The more we keep talking about his article, the more people are going to become interested in what he wrote. He certainly caused a stir at Th-Ink Queerly, but it also sparked a lot of inspiration for articles, poems, and a bigger project that isn’t mine to discuss. I doubt he predicted this kind of outcome. In the end, I think all of his dodging, victimizing, and manipulation backfired. Anyone that can read both sides for themselves and not rely on other’s opinions.

Hate never wins at the end of the day.

He can claim that he isn’t homophobic and that he loves everyone until he turns blue in the face like a fish out of water. His actions and his written word intertwine to speak louder than any of his “I feel” statements ever will. I don’t care about what he has to say if I’m being honest. I don’t care about any religious people that feel like a bible written back when they wrote on leaves and didn’t bathe gives them the right to make people feel worthless and inferior. I care about my fellow LGBTQ members and making sure they know what these homophobic characters say isn’t true. I want them to know that there isn’t any human being on Earth that can determine where they go after they die. I want them to know that they aren’t sick in the head, worthless, or broken like some of these people like to claim we are. I care about my fellow Th-Ink Queerly members and how proud I am that they have the courage to tell their story day in and day out as well as stand up for others.

Lamar is going to believe what he believes until he takes his last breath, just like many other homophobic and/or racist people do.

(I’m not implying that he’s racist). It is what it is. It’s not right. It’s certainly not okay. He’s going to keep supporting an institution that actively looks to hurt LGBTQ members whatever way they can. He can’t “be a friend” to us and turn around a financially support something that attacks the people he wants to “be a friend” to. I doubt he even wants to. We won’t forget what he’s said, his tone, and his actions.

I’m proud of how James Finn, Darren Stehle, Saoirse, and my other fellow Th-Ink Queerly members handled this situation. Not once did any of us threaten Lamar or go out of our way to call him horrible names — even though he claims some of us came at him with hate speech. They remained civil in the face of blatant arrogance, silence, and deflection.

We’ll keep fighting for our rights, and we’ll keep writing. There’s no silencing us. I hope you all have a great day.