by Spartan *
Member since:
November 7, 2008

World War II Veteran Speaks Out in Support of Gay Rights!

October 22, 2009 11:13 AM EDT (Updated: October 22, 2009 11:17 AM EDT)
views: 178 | comments: 56

As a married, straight man who is strongly committed to Equal Rights for all Americans,  I was quite moved by the following from World War II Veteran, and member of our "Greatest Generation", Philip Spooner as he offers an impassioned argument for Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians...

"Philip Spooner is a lifetime Republican, World War II veteran and, to everyone's surprise, a gay marriage supporter. The 86-year-old gave a heartfelt speech in support of gay marriage to Maine's Judiciary Committee back in April, and the video has just now become an internet hit.

Spooner's voice wavers often as he weaves his own life story into the speech, using his experience as a soldier as his main defense for gay marriage. He lists his accomplishments in the war, among them serving in Patton's Third Army and carrying POWs back home, making it clear that he's a true American -- and according to Spooner, there's nothing more American than fighting for equality."





Since his voice wavers at times, here is a part of the transcript from this great American's speech...

"I am here today because of a conversation I had last June when I was voting. A woman at my polling place asked me, "Do you believe in equal, equality for gay and lesbian people?" I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, "What do you think our boys fought for at Omaha Beach?" I haven't seen much, so much blood and guts, so much suffering, much sacrifice. For what? For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for."

You can read more about this wonderful man here on The Huffington Post!

God Bless people like Philip Spooner!

 

Spartan

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Comments: 56 ( 1 removed by Spartan * )

Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 22, 2009, 11:15am EDT
Good for him !!!
Elsie C. Oct 22, 2009, 11:26am EDT
Thanks for posting this. Great video.
The sad thing is that there are so many small hearted Americans that this hero felt he had to explain himself.

I am for equal rights and responsibilities for all. Have been for many years, as a single male I have had my sexuality questioned, impugned belittled. I just ignore idiots generally..
Spartan * Oct 22, 2009, 11:52am EDT
I "feel ya", Doc! Having been a single man for so many years, and a single father as well, I can't say I've had my sexual orientation questioned to my face but I know where you are coming from, my friend.
yeah most of these macho types didn't have the 'stones' either, they usually let the women tel me..

:)
Jeannie B. Oct 23, 2009, 4:14pm EDT
Maybe you should just stick your empty head back in the sand, Don.
Probably more than Don is getting.
Spartan * Oct 23, 2009, 6:52pm EDT

Don (who is confused about what year it is) H. Oct 23, 2009, 2:44pm EDT felt it incredibly important to humanity to share the following wisdom:
"Maybe you two should get an apartment together."

He's back, Doc. Must have run out of one dollar bills on Orange Blossom Trail.
Kristi C. Oct 22, 2009, 11:29am EDT
Bravo! We need more people like him in the world
Bob B. Oct 22, 2009, 11:35am EDT
Right on!
Lacey K. Oct 22, 2009, 11:40am EDT
His speech is very moving. I simply can't comprehend our country not giving equal rights to homosexual people. One day our children's children will look back on us and wonder what the hell we were thinking.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 11:48am EDT
Thanks for posting this, Spartan.
Larry M. Oct 22, 2009, 11:59am EDT
May his tribe increase. He put his life on the line for me and I am terribly grateful.
Paul R Oct 22, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
Thank You For your Service Mr. Spooner. and thank you for standing up for your principles and thwe principles that this country was founded on, Equality, freedom, and fairness.
Johnice R. Oct 22, 2009, 4:54pm EDT
And speak out he should--good for Philip Spooner.

A damn good man in America!
Don(time to open them FEMA camps) S. Oct 22, 2009, 5:47pm EDT
How long before some wingnut calls this fine man a traitor?
Robert A. Oct 22, 2009, 11:14pm EDT
-- standing up at the keyboard and applauding!
Robert A. Oct 23, 2009, 3:54pm EDT
I suppose that's meant to mean I'm Gay. I'm not. But I do believe that someone like Mr. Spooner has the right to state his belief, and that our presumed ideals in this country include equal rights for everyone. And regarding family values; the first should be that family values are decided by each family for themselves without someone else trying to impose their values on them. Isn't that freedom?
Kathleen ♥ L. Oct 23, 2009, 12:12am EDT
Thank you for sharing this amazing video with us. This man embodies all the positive aspects of a democratic nation. Bravo to Mr Spooner!
Kathryn E. Oct 23, 2009, 12:19am EDT
Excellent article. Great man. Great country, except for some....
Ellie !. Oct 23, 2009, 1:00am EDT
Yes. That is what the USA is about. I am in a hotel on my iPod so I will come back to watch his speech.
Ed Da Head Toker Oct 23, 2009, 3:21am EDT
Phillip Spooner for President!!
FRED R. Oct 23, 2009, 4:43am EDT
Thanks for posting this
Digital Diva S. Oct 23, 2009, 7:30am EDT
Thank you so much Spartan for showing me this. It brought tears to my eyes.

It makes me think of my Dad who most of his life didn't understand and probably didn't know any Gay or Lesbian people. As a teen and young adult I was embarrassed because he passed on gay jokes. Then one of his gay Grandchildren spoke with him and he cried. From that day on he became a advocate to Gay and Lesbian rights. Even taking a stance and getting the minister in his church booted for taking a homophobic stance and preaching about it.

Sometimes it just takes education. And I agree with Lacy. Only I think our kids and their kids are already saying "What the hell ARE they thinking!"
Jeannie B. Oct 23, 2009, 4:17pm EDT
Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone. Put down the rocks, Don.
Juan J Martinez Oct 23, 2009, 9:25am EDT
This is exactly what American stands for or at least stood for. We as Americans have become so self-observed we have forgotten the sacrifice that our brave men and women in the Arm Forces have given and continue to give. We as Americans should give all of them respect and should not be treated any less simply because of who they are. It is that simple.
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Oct 23, 2009, 9:57am EDT
This is an amazing man and I am proud to call him a fellow citizen. Thank you Mr. Spooner for being the great American hero, in every respect, that you are.

I send him blessings.
Prima Donna Oct 23, 2009, 10:07am EDT
He makes me proud to be an American, and a citizen of the world, where all people are respected.
Sheryl O. Oct 23, 2009, 10:30am EDT
Wonderful - thanks for sharing this,Spartan. I so wish our Congress would have this played for them all and then immediately pass legislation that will finally allow ALL Americans to enjoy the same level of rights. We are so past due on this.

Bravo, Mr. Spooner. I hope your message reaches into the hearts and minds of all the petty, bigoted, close-minded cowards out there in this country.
Carla G. Oct 23, 2009, 11:23am EDT
God bless Mr. Spooner. He really gets it.
Diana Raabe Oct 23, 2009, 11:27am EDT
"...For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for."

It's that simple! Thank you for posting.
Ada D. Oct 23, 2009, 11:35am EDT
What a wonderful speech! I hope his words were heard and taken to heart, but I doubt the self-serving blowhards will change their views.
Devin Barber Oct 23, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
Keith Olberman said that opposition to same sex marriage is opposition to love. How can anyone be opposed to love?

And would someone tell me how a same sex marriage endangers opposite sex marriages. I still don't get that one.
Jeannie B. Oct 23, 2009, 4:18pm EDT
I read in an independent local weekly that it's exactly the opposite -- opposition to gay marriage is what threatens mine.
Leo Lemmer Oct 23, 2009, 1:55pm EDT
Bravo to you and to Phillip Spooner--a hero!

Liberty and justice for all!
Spartan * Oct 23, 2009, 6:55pm EDT
One of these days Don H. is going to get it through his thin brain matter that I am NOT the Federal Government, and he does NOT have freedom of speech on my Gather Site! LOL
Don(time to open them FEMA camps) S. Oct 23, 2009, 6:58pm EDT
I don't and never have thought the fool has much brain matter other that the bare minimum to keep from crapping himself.
Spartan * Oct 23, 2009, 7:11pm EDT
Look at the last time he actually posted ANYTHING. All he does is troll my articles. He is desperate for my approval on some level and acts like a five year old to get it. LOL
Don(time to open them FEMA camps) S. Oct 23, 2009, 7:21pm EDT
Maybe he is in love with you now ,I used to be his main center of attention.
As much as he spouts off about the gay life style it makes me wonder.......
Spartan * Oct 23, 2009, 7:10pm EDT
Jeannie B. Oct 23, 2009, 4:19pm EDT wrote:
//all Sparky's were created gay by their creator// Does that mean you think it isn't a "choice"?

Apologies, Jeannie. Your comment was deleted when I deleted the comment from my TROLL.
Chuck L. Oct 23, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
Some of us "Old Soldiers" have pretty much ALWAYS gotten it. "IT" is about fair play, equality and life. "IT" is why we were soldiers in the first place. And while i was a soldier twenty years after Mr. Spooner, and was fortunate enough to never HAVE to be a hero (HE certainly mad good on HIS opportunities), I could make the same speech as it applies to Gay rights... that's what I signed up to protect.
Spartan * Oct 24, 2009, 12:27am EDT
hmmm...couple of years later and we might have chewed some of the same dirt, Chuck!
I think many people are surprised at the number of seniors that speak out in favor of gay rights. It's not like homosexuality is new, but it's not hidden any more.
Kathy W. Oct 23, 2009, 11:27pm EDT
I find it remarkable that we understand medical issues surrounding insurance coverage when our children or parents have leukemia...we "really get" methadone clinics when our children have been addicts. We grow in patience and understanding regarding gay / les / bi rights when our kids are...

What IS it, that does not step back from such realization; to simply admit that we should not judge, and that we SHOULD help others.

If I die tomorrow? Who stands for my many children?
Who will protect their rights as citizens?
Who will allow them to have freedom?

Through a whim of fate? All my kids are in love with people of the "opposite" sex.
(Whatever that is...)
All I give thanks for? Is that they are IN LOVE. It is not my job--nor yours, nor anyone else's job to make them wrong or right about WHO they love.

Love is too rare, on the whole, and on the planet--to ever let it go to waste--based on sexual inhibitions.

Luv You Spartan, Don (anti-bush) S... EmJay, Sharon, Juan, Carla, et.al...

See? Both females and males.
Painless.
Give love. Give Blood. Love Freely.
Don(time to open them FEMA camps) S. Oct 23, 2009, 11:53pm EDT
Love you also sweety.
Dave McGill Oct 24, 2009, 12:44am EDT
Very touching...Thanks for posting, Spartan...
Dexter S. Oct 24, 2009, 2:39am EDT
The man was right,, his words are filled with honesty and truth. Any oppression of others is a slap in the face of those who have fought and died for this country, whether they wanted to or not.
Kathy W. Oct 24, 2009, 7:55am EDT
And Spartan? Thank you for donating your points to the vets org. I am not surprised that you do. I wish more folks picked the donating icon when cashing in.
Wilka
J. McDole - Gather's Anti-Beck Oct 24, 2009, 5:45pm EDT
My dad was a veteran of two wars, and also a very strong human rights advocate. This is a wonderful video, and I appreciate this man standing up for what is right.
Nanina Hawk Oct 25, 2009, 2:02pm EDT
I love this man!
Cheri Cabot Oct 28, 2009, 11:56pm EDT
oh my....heart-wrenching and heartfelt...thank you.
Wyoming Catt (The Militant Midget) Dec 3, 2009, 11:04pm EST
I hear ya, Cheri. It hurts something inside to watch.
Kim J. Nov 3, 2009, 4:20pm EST
Thank you for showing this to us.
Holly C. Nov 3, 2009, 4:32pm EST
It is truly inspirational to hear a veteran speak out and let people know what he was really fighting for and that he took his duty seriously.
Wyoming Catt (The Militant Midget) Dec 3, 2009, 11:03pm EST
Late 'cause I haven't been on much herenabouts, but what a story! I'm awash in tears, real and virtual.

I hope this crap is over soon. Its so very wrong for this to be, so very far into the 21st century, still a problem.
Wyoming Catt (The Militant Midget) Dec 3, 2009, 11:09pm EST
Had to watch it twice.... Just beautiful. Heartbreaking, but beautiful.

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