By Todd Craig
You gotta love Facebook.
Sure, it’s the bane of existence to employers, and it’s a distraction for those of us who are trying to get something done.
But recently, Facebook did for me what Facebook does best: It connected me with the people and organizations that I know and love, and they in turn, have me smiling from ear to ear.
So what’s brought that smile to my face? A cute-captioned kitten picture? An obscene e-card forward?
Nope. Wayyyyy better. Read on.
The day started with a beautiful letter posted in the
Matthew Shepard Foundation’s Facebook page. It was a letter written by a young man, a junior at the University of Wyoming who attended a Matthew Shepard Foundation sponsored concert and was so inspired by what he heard from San Francisco’s and Denver’s Gay Men's Choruses that he phoned his parents and came out on the spot.
It was a thank you letter from this young man. An honest and beautiful thank you letter for the inspiration he received, felt, and responded to.
How awesome is that?
Later that day, I discovered myself at the gym. (Author’s note: Yes, I’m one of those annoying people who will check my email and Facebook on my smartphone between sets. What? You’d rather I stare vacantly into space while I catch my breath?)
Anyway, my cellphone's screen contained a post from one of my former students on his Facebook page. I had taught him in an advanced reading class during his fifth grade year nearly a decade ago. He’s a hockey player now and a student at the University of South Carolina. His post today was a multi-paragraph letter that reached this conclusion:
“…my generation is faced with another civil rights challenge... So I have decided to take a stand, to reach out a hand and to vocalize my opinion. I may not be gay, but that does not mean the people around me who are are any less of "people". They deserve the same rights, the same opportunities and above all the same respect.”
Pretty good, eh?
I won’t be arrogant enough nor naive enough to say that I was the teacher here who made the difference here. He’s had dozens of other teachers, mentors, coaches, and professors since I taught him in fifth grade.
But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m not damned proud of the young man he’s grown to become. His statements put a smile on my face like no other.
And smiling is especially critical during weeks like these. Recent weeks have been especially brutal for us gays. Both Chick-Fil-A and the Boy Scouts of America took their backwards beliefs to new heights and proudly stood on the side of gay hate and flat-out stupidity.
We’re all familiar by now with the pathetic nature of these organizations' statements and actions. But these words are still gut punches to each and every member our gay family. Their words are still hateful. Their words represent discrimination based on out-of-date fears and hypocritical moral righteousness.
And yet …
As depressing and hurtful as these gutshots are from corporate America, I’ll put my faith in these two young men who crossed my Facebook path today. Two college guys, one in Wyoming and one in South Carolina, found the strength, inspiration, and passion to step up today.
The gays of this world have a new member to our family and a new supporter to our cause, and I like our odds with them on our side - chicken sandwiches and merit badges be damned!
That’s why I’m smiling.
Every June, the Matthew Shepard Foundation celebrates LGBT Pride Month to remember the history of our community, reflect on the progress we’ve made, and recommit to the hard work of making our world a place where all people are equal. 
