The In-Your-Facers

Hey Dad,

I’m hoping this won’t seem controversial…but even if it is…I’m broaching the subject.

Let me begin by saying, I believe that homosexuality is wrong. God said it and I believe it. To be clear I don’t HATE homosexuals. I just don’t like it pushed in my face.

OK, now my story. Last Thursday my family and I were on our way to Peoria, IL. Along the way we stopped at McDonalds. While we were ordering I noticed a woman with a guy’s haircut and clothes complete with giant hickeys on her neck. She was with another young girl and they obviously looked like a couple. That’s not new to me…but it still feels uncomfortable, but I was pretty sure my kids wouldn’t pick up on it so I relaxed.

But moments later it went beyond uncomfortable. They sat just a few seats away, seemed aware that others were watching, and seemed to play to the awkwardness. Taking it up a notch in loudness.

At one point a young McDonald’s employed approached them (maybe he knew them) and said something across the table. Something happened and the guy/girl boldly lip locked the other girl for the world to see.

Then another young  woman walked over and said something about others being bothered and not wanting their kids to see what they were doing (we have a lot of Amish/Mennonite/Bible believing folks in the area). At the same time several McDonald’s employees gathered around the girls and it seemed to ramp up even more.

Now I didn’t hang around long enough to see how it played out, but the entire time I felt bothered and angry.

Again, let me state that I don’t hate homosexuals…I just don’t like the in-your-face attitude. I would never go to Jewish area and boldly eat pork chops. You don’t have to agree with someone to be respectful.

So here’s the dilemma, I need a plan in this increasingly in your face homosexual world. I’m not talking about handing a tract out to every same sex couple I see. If they want to live that way, I’m OK with that. It’s their life and their right. But when my children and I are forced to see flaming in your face homosexual behavior, I need a way to say something.

That’s why I’m writing this. It’s not because I hate them…I just don’t want to watch them do it in our safe places (there are plenty of places they can do it without me watching). I’m the protector and have a responsibility to guard and protect my children.

I wish I didn’t have to say anything (I don’t like confrontation). I wish that they would just have common courtesy for others who might not agree with them.

We have some lake neighbors who talk like drunk sailors. The F words flies fast and furious, but even the neighbor acknowledges that we wouldn’t appreciate it and tries to keep it down.

It maybe old fashioned, but now common courtesy isn’t common. So what do I do as a dad and how do I do it?

And hear this: if the in-your-facers what to make a big deal about it, they may force me to get in their face.

Because I’m ‘da dad,

PS – The comments below should be nice comments. I’m not looking for meanness…just help in dealing with a very real dilemma.