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 SOAPBOX - HENRY ROLLINS Gets The Last Word
This is a call to arms, boys.
This is your world, and you’re inheriting it from your parents. Unless you want to fight their wars and drink their dirty water and go through this maddening repetition, brought to you by people who not only refuse to learn from history but love to repeat it—unless you are going to be the change, you are going to inherit a world with far less resources than the one I walked into at your age. Twenty years, the world has changed so much, and in 20 more, the lines drawn in the sand will be very different. This is all up to you: to look for alternative fuel sources, to acknowledge global warming, to fix the appalling racist and homophobic tendencies our government has. All that’s within our grasp. You can make a difference. This is a great country to do that in. It needs it. It needs strong, brave people trying to make a difference. If not you, then who?
In some ways for you guys, being gay today is better than it was 20 years ago, and in some ways it’s worse. I think America has accepted homosexuality as a fact, but the downside is the Bush administration giving the psychotic, ignorant wing of the Christian right—who are very homophobic and very hateful—a voice. A few State of the Union addresses ago, the president said, “I defend the sanctity of marriage,” which is lip service to the Christian right, saying, “You queers are on notice.”
I don’t understand it. If Bill and Tom want to get married, why does anyone have a problem with it? Get a life and leave them alone. That you would deny these people that happiness because of something you think you understand about the Bible is quite awful.
Homosexuality is not an abnormality. It’s maybe rarer than heterosexuality, but it is no less a truth. I don’t really see the difference between gay and straight other than a basic difference in the preference. The needs are the same: company, love, fulfillment, all of that. So equality to the point where it’s no longer an issue anymore, emancipation and progress, is what’s needed.
The message that I think will be seen in the next several years is gay people saying, “We’re really, really good parents and our kids are really great.” I know a few couples who are married or joined in some way with kids, and their kids are fantastic: They’re funny, they’re smart, they’re considerate. If I were raised by two women or two men, I don’t see what the problem would be. As it is, I had two people who hated each other’s guts, and it definitely did a number on me—I’m still working it out. Now, with Mary Cheney leading the way, I think you’re going to see children of gay couples growing up and being quite “normal,” no fangs or claws, and becoming very useful and great parts of society.
The good will always defeat the bad. Sometimes it doesn’t look like you’re winning, but as long as you’re on your feet, talking about it and finding allies, you’re beating these people who rely on intimidation, on your apathy, your silence, on you eventually giving up.
It is very easy to feel defeated. I do, some days. I feel very weary at the state of this country and what this president is doing and potentially will do before he finally leaves. It’s easy to put your head in the sand and just go, “Screw it! I’m going to stay home with a bunch of comfort food and just stop checking in!” I hear ya, but we can’t.
When you see the extraordinary depths that these people have to plumb to get talking points, like when Ann Coulter calls John Edwards a faggot and gets laughs, well, that may have worked for people like my father, but it’s not going to work for me. If that’s what they’re bringing to the table, then believe me, that does not hold water in the real world. When the lights are on and court comes into session, that’s not rockin’. With all these bright young people coming out of the halls of academia, guess what? It doesn’t rock with them either.
So I think you’re going to see a change in your lifetime, in a lot of different ways, and maybe sooner than later. And so, basically, one must take heart. Like Churchill said—and I remind myself of this always—never, ever, ever can you give up. I have to repeat that to myself, ’cause man, some days I get up and these bastards got me beat, you know? They got me pretty whipped, and I’ve got to keep whipping myself up and throwing myself into that propeller and fighting the good fight.
You have to be part of the solution and part of the change, because cooler, calmer, more interesting and innovative heads will prevail. We will find alternative energy sources—they’re out there, they’re being utilized by other countries— we, too, will utilize them.
We will save the world. We will save this country. We will wrest it back from these awful people who think they have a lock on it. They don’t!
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The Henry Rollins Show airs on IFC on Fridays @ 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST. For more Mr. R, check out ifc.com/henry or henryrollins.com
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Instinct Online 
written by A. Cruz Glendale, CA on June 04, 2007
Amen Henry AMEN!!!
written by jbk on June 07, 2007
Hi, just a note about something cool Rollins is doing that you should go for - he's looking for someone to tape a short video "rant" and the person who does the one he chooses will meet Henry and be put on the air in a MAJOR way on IFC (Independent Film Channel) where his talk show airs.
Henry will choose someone who makes a 30-second video commentary on one of 11 hot topics, fly them to L.A., and have them host the upcoming ?Rollins Show? Marathon on IFC.
Please go to ziddio.com/myrollinsrant and record and upload a 30-second video "rant" on one of the topics that Henry has selected (including abortion rights, has the Iraq war made us safer? Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina, is America a dumb country? global warming, etc.)
All entries will be watched by, and the winner chosen solely by, Henry. He encourages anyone to enter, no matter their political persuasion - his only requirement: have ?passion and attitude!?
The person he chooses will be flown to Los Angeles, meet Henry, and serve as host of the upcoming "Rollins Show" Marathon on IFC.
Henry explains it all at ziddio.com/myrollinsrant
written by Bill on June 14, 2007
Um. Isn't Churchill's comment equally relevant to Iraq, esp. since he probably said it in the context of WWII?
written by michael on June 15, 2007
not only are you a delicious punk rocker with whom i would gladly share sweat in the pit, but you're smart and funny. many thanks, hank.
written by Reggie on June 15, 2007
Henry Rollins is the most important thinker of this generation...He is all we have left in the way of logic and reason...This piece to the gays is a testament to his brilliance....
written by desertmac on June 15, 2007
Henry Rollins and Jon Stewart ought to get together and do a political show! More people ought to see Henry's show. The guy is intelligent, logical and compassionate, not to mention easy on the eyes ;-)
written by dave on June 15, 2007
Amazing. Thanks!
written by SluggoBear on June 17, 2007
AMEN! THANKS Henry!
written by jbk on June 18, 2007
Hi, wanted to alert you all to something very cool that Rollins is doing. He's offering a chance to sound off on an issue for a national audience -- and the one person he personally chooses will be flown to LA to co-host the ?Henry Rollins Show? marathon on IFC (Independent Film Channel) with Henry.
Rollins is inviting you to tape a short video ?rant? and the person who does the one he chooses will be flown to L.A. (the winner and a guest for 3 days/2 nights), meet Henry and host the upcoming ?Rollins Show? Marathon.
Go to ziddio.com/myrollinsrant and record and upload a 30-second video ?rant? on one of the 11 hot topics Henry has selected (including abortion rights, has the Iraq war made us safer? Bush?s response to Hurricane Katrina, is America a dumb country? global warming, etc.)
All entries will be watched by, and the winner chosen solely by, Henry. He encourages anyone to enter, no matter their political persuasion - his only requirement: have ?passion and attitude!?
An amazing opportunity. And a chance to sound off on some issues!
Henry explains it all, and upload your ?rant? at: ziddio.com/myrollinsrant
written by Meowzer on June 18, 2007
Wow. I TOTALLY had Henry Rollins pegged wrong. Totally. I thought he was a homophobic headbanger. But I'll be damned. I have a new respect for the man. I really do. I never thought I would hear (read) those types of thoughts on being gay coming from him. I so believed he was part of the good ole boy network, but he actually is a normal, super supportive advocate for gay rights. Thank you Mr. Rollins!!
written by alex on June 23, 2007
Henry has an overall good message re gays. BUT he makes the usual mistake of demonizing the US president: "but the downside is the Bush administration giving the psychotic, ignorant wing of the Christian right?who are very homophobic and very hateful?a voice."
If you think they are bad, Henry, try bringing your message in person to Iran where they hung those two gay boys/men from a crane a while ago.
Open your eyes, Henry. The US and the western countries are are close as humanity has come to paradise on earth.
written by AggieRob69 on June 23, 2007
"Wow!" Henry you are just amazing! Now, if we could get the rest of the world to think that, what a beautiful place this would be!!!!!
written by Jasmine on June 26, 2007
I love you too and I'm a female
written by myspace.compaulmerrifield on June 30, 2007
Do I believe in global warming? As in humans causing weather global warming? Hell no. I?m a global warming denier, skeptic, non-believer and fullfledged global warming atheist. We look up into the blue sky and see these invisible demons. We can?t even say SUNNY DAY anymore. Now it?s a ?HighUV? day. And what are these invisible demons? Well, one is coming out of my mouth as I speak, CO2. One of the building blocks of life, plants need it to produce life and it makes my beer nice and fizzy. And the other (my favorite), Methane, another building block of life, and well, that one comes out of my assho!e. And this is how the planet is finally meeting its end after billions of years? Now you know where they get the MENTAL part of environmental. Trust me, there is nothing more organic than bull$hit. Sleep tight.
written by Ian on July 26, 2007
Henry-
In spite of my personal beliefs, I do agree that gays deserve the right to secular marriage. However, I feel that there are far more important issues that our country faces right now than that. We have to do something about this quagmire in Iraq. We need to fix the health care system. We need to fix the education system. We need to lower the crime rate. All of those are far more pressing concerns for me right now than gay marriage.
written by rickbear on July 28, 2007
I was a gay man at many of your shows at City Gardens, Trenton NJ. You are awesome Henry.
written by TheAcerbicGoblin on October 27, 2007
Most of this article has been said by many others, and it's not particularly insightful or deep. It just states the obvious. I agree with what Rollins wrote, but he's just preaching to the choir here. And that doesn't shake anything up.
written by Saddened Rollins Fan on February 27, 2008
Your comment Henery: "I think America has accepted homosexuality as a fact, but the downside is the Bush administration giving the psychotic, ignorant wing of the Christian right?who are very homophobic and very hateful?a voice."
Mr. Rollins. I own all of your LPs (solo stuff) and comedy. I think you are a hilarious comedy writer, no brilliant, comedy writer, and an excellent musician. I understand what you are trying to do in the article above but when you make a stereo-typical slander of Christians and group them all (including myself) in to the class of "very homophobic and very hateful" I don't think that makes you any better than those you slander. As a Christian, my Bible teaches me to LOVE and accept all people. Anyone who tells someone that they are a Christian and can not love ALL mankind..well God will judge them...but how does that give you the right? Just because you run into an angry politician that does not mean that ALL politicians are angry. Just because you have experienced someone who calls himself a Christian and is homophobic does not mean that all are homophobic. Don't you speak out against racism? I love that about you? But ...you think it is ok to just slam an entire religious sect of people just because of the bad apples? I don't see the difference. Your article was hurtful to me. I hate seeing Christians called "Homophobic and hateful." That saddens me and I am sorry that you feel that way. But I am not homophobic. And I do my best to love and not hate. I don't know if you have just visited the wrong church or what...but we preach love of all mankind regardless of whatever they are in to at my church. I am praying that God will allow you to see some good Christian people in your lifetime. Kindest Regards. I look forward to a new CD soon.