Poem: "To the Religious of a Certain Stripe"

I’ve thought this over; now I say to you:
I don’t believe that men who love men are evil;
I don’t believe that men who love men are abominable;
Women who love women are my family.
Women who love women are my lovers,
My children,
My parents.

Men who love men,
Women who love women—
Are my sisters and brothers.
You may think they will burn in Hell—
That’s your religious right in this free land.
You have chosen to label these people who love despicable;
I think they bless the universe with their love;
And I, x-fold Pariah,
Condemned by the rigid creed you choose to practice—
I hold you in my heart and thoughts disquieted,   
Not grasping what you gain, when all is done,
From your condemnations.