-------------------------------------------------------------- Permission granted by author for anyone to distribute this writing free of charge (including translation into any language)...under condition that no profit is made therefrom, and that it remain intact and complete, including title and credit to the original author. Ezekiel J. Krahlin http://surf.to/gaybible -------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE © 1997 by Ezekiel J. Krahlin (Jehovah's Queer Witness)June 1997 I hereby declare war against the United States Government, and to all its people who support the federal sanction against same-sex marriage... which may be a majority. The moment government permits any state to officially and intentionally deny a gay citizen's right to the pursuit of happiness--as indeed marriage is a blissful goal--the door is open to establishing all homophile women and men as second class citizens in perpetuity. I perceive this unconstitutional, ungodly sanction as the first step towards eradicating all known homosexuals in our sorry nation. The bombing of the Lesbian lounge in Atlanta is just the beginning...unless the federal government and mainstream Christian churches--including African-American congregations--immediately step in and aggressively fight back against the jihad these homophobes have declared. (I'm not holding my breath.) Their continued silence and foot-dragging on the noble issue of same-sex-lover rights, puts blood on their hands as surely as if they were right-wing fanatics themselves! I urge all lesbians, gays, bisexuals, gender changers, their supporters, and other so-called queer types to bear arms and take to the streets...and push back the beast of homophobia that now rears its ugly head in the eyes of the majority, who prowl this gutted country like ghouls from The Night Of The Living Dead. For all intents and purposes, President Clinton has nodded his head in approval of a nationwide witch hunt to kill us anywhere and everywhere we are seen or known to abide...or at best to deny us jobs, shelter, friendship, and equal treatment. Our President's wavering on the "gays in the military" issue, along with the signing of DOMA...places him in direct responsibility for exacerbating the hostility against a basically harmless, and decent, group of citizens: gay women and men. Likewise for our so-called "liberal" straight friends...who are too cowardly to display a pink triangle on their own clothing, or a T-shirt or bumper sticker proclaiming: "Another Hetero for Lesbian & Gay Rights". Yet they proudly wear slogans and icons promoting the rights of African-Americans, women, children, trees, animals, and so on. The Danes in World War II sported stars of David to conceal Jewish folk from Nazis...but I hear of none who displayed the pink triangle. If you are heterosexual, and perceive yourself as a true "progressive", then you would have no qualms in taking up this noble banner of Homophile Liberation in the ways I have suggested...else you, too, have blood on your hands. But if heteros at large still refuse to see this as their fight, too...we homosexuals can flood the straight bars, clubs, and other hetero hangouts. Our presence, with pink triangles emblazoned on our shirts and jackets, will turn these straight clubs into targets of the Army of God and their ilk. Then, of course, we'll have a lot more allies in the resistance--albeit unwilling. Be it known that I am proudly homosexual, that I am a Christian who respects all other beliefs as equal, that I presently go by the name Ezekiel Krahlin (formerly Gene Catalano). Be it also known that I propose the new label "Thracian" over "gay male," to symbolize the new-found empowerment of the homophile community in this century's closing decade. The word "gay" perpetuates a stereotype of ourselves as flighty, emotional, and frivolous...not to be taken seriously, as a citizen, as a human being, or as anything else! (Surely, women have a similar complaint against male chauvanists.)"Lesbian" is a beautiful term for the homosexual female; as its name comes from a Greek Island with a rich, classical history. The region of Thrace also has a great history, and likewise plays an honored role in Hellenic culture...hence I coin the term "Thracian" for those who are commonly thought of as "gay male". Ancient Greeks first called their northern neighbors "Thracians," and later, "Macedonians"...the people from whom arose Alexander The Great. "Hellenic" can be the general term for both homophile women and men, who are sick of the belittling and ineffectual descriptor, "gay". This caps a nice balance on the other two Greek words, to form an elegant triad: Hellenic, Lesbian, Thracian. It also does away with the chauvanistic stance of using "Gay" to represent both male and female members, as well as males only. (Credit for the idea of "Hellenic" to replace "Gay" goes to Fireweaver, an Internet friend.) Heterosexism, chauvinism, misogyny, mysandry, homophobia, pedophilia, racism, and bestiality are all blasphemies in God's eyes, and in mine, and in the eyes of all good people. Under this inspiration, I declare Northern California a safe haven, and demand protection by the United Nations Global Peacekeepers. I also call for the secession of this region, and its establishment as a government solely for and by Hellenes...where all beliefs are to be equally respected. Let this new nation be named "Athenia," to honor woman's suffrage as well as symbolize wisdom and valor. As a body politik, we are as the victorious David against Goliath: the giant of homophobia shall be toppled and slain in our time. Let it also be known that not every gay person is a friend. Like any group of human beings, they have their ranks of evil forces. True hearts are few and far between...love and be constant to such friends--if indeed you have even one--for you are well blessed. For wherever there are two kindred hearts, there Your Angel will be also, in spirit. Do not judge any person by any category (such as gay or hetero, Jew or Christian, ugly or handsome, poor or rich, white or black, etc.) But do judge her by what comes from the heart, as expressed in words and deeds. Civilization (for what it's worth) is about to go berserk; the capitalist world as we know it is doomed. I trust that those whom I can reach through this letter, already are taking action. If you are wicked (homophobic), it is not yet too late to change. I stand by you in prayer, and hope you will join the valorous. For until the last enemy is fallen, it is my duty to fight for every lost soul until the final moment. Yes, I pray most ardently for the lost, not for the risen. In closing, I humbly attempt to give solace to my Hellenic sisters and brothers, with this quote from Psalm 35 (1-8): Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor Who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion Who plot my hurt. Let them be like chaff before the wind, And let the angel of the Lord pursue them. For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life. Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall. ---finis
