Ask me anything
Hey guys,
I’m spending some time over with my friends at Reddit doing an AMA, or “Ask Me Anything” session. Feel free to stop by and ask questions! Link: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/mvhnh/i_am_zach_wahls_the_guy_who_defended_my_two_moms/
Zach
The world was vastly different when I was your age; there weren’t many people standing against the current of homophobia. Tomorrow would have been my 33rd anniversary. My wife and I were married in 1978 and raised two beautiful sons. There were no secrets between us and she was aware that I was gay when we married. It was a case of two broken people coming together to heal and finding love, companionship and commitment and building a family. Sadly, my wife died in March of this year. As the grieving process unfolded, I found that I could no longer hide from the world, that I would need to tell my sons and my family and friends that any future relationship I had would be with a man and not a woman. I agonized over how to approach the subject, how to say the words. “Anyone who knew Sharon and I know that we were completely devoted to each other. You need to understand that there were no secrets between us. And you need to know that, moving forward, any relationship I have in the future will be with a man.” That is exactly how I said it. I am the most fortunate of men; I have a family that loves me and supports me, I have friends who embrace me and my choices.
I have your family to thank for this. While we have never met, and are unlikely to do so, your eloquent defense of your family has become a talking point in many discussioins and each mind that is opened in the process makes it easier for people like me.
So, thank you. It’s not enough but it’s all I have to offer.
This is beautiful Peter. Thank you for sharing it. It touched me.
God bless you Peter. I know that in times past many homosexuals married for various reasons. Your story is astounding and your honesty and devotion to the human you married is commendable. I’m sure Sharon will watch over you and I’m pleased your loved ones have done as loved ones should do and supported you. I’ll pray that you find a loving partner to grow old with. I too agree that Zach is shaping the world.
-melissa
First, I would like to say that I admire you for your conviction and passion which obviously fueled you during your speech. If only more young people could stand up and speek so eloquently and with such passion.
My question is simple; what motivated you to make your speech?
So many of us say that we would do the same if given the chance, but hte truth is – not really. As a society, it is easy for us to SAY anything but when the time comes to REALLY say something we quickly coward down and run the other way.
I brought to tears listening to you speak, it wasn’t really a “Speech” as much as a conversation. One that I could listen to over and over again. EVen though I am married to someone of the opposite sex, I do not feel that I have that right more than anyone else. I would never want anyone to tell me WHO to LOVE .. so I would never do that to anyone else. HOWEVER, I must say – I can only hope that my little boy grows up and recognizes my love for him, the way that you have grown up and recognized your motherS love for you.
I just saw the video of Zach’s testimony – - thank you Zach!
Hey Zach brilliant speech! Bravo, I noticed your interested in politics, and read some of your opinions and it seems to me that your opinions aren’t hypocritical as both sides suggest. They are actually very consistent with natural law and the equal universal rights of man. This philosophy is libertarianism. I suggest doing some research into it, it isn’t crazy as the two party establishment would have us believe. I’d be willing to buy you a copy of Ron Paul’s two books. He isn’t crazy, far from it, he is ideologically consistent and always in favor of liberty. In particular regards to gay marriage, Ron is against the federal government and state determining who can and cannot marry. He thinks that it should be left up to individuals and churches (and thankfully some churches are coming around to the idea) to form the marriage contracts. If the government be it state or federal wants to bestow any status for tax purposes then it should be a civil union and not be discriminatory towards any particular relationship. I think you would find many of the ideas compelling. If you are willing to be open minded, I am more than willing to buy those books for you to read “Revolution a Manifesto” is an incredible book you won’t soon forget. You seem like a very logical and reasonable guy and I think you’ll find much to like in Dr. Paul, but even if you don’t you’ll at might at least learn a little bit about something you might not have known before. Let me know if you want to take me up on the offer, good luck with your endeavors.