@MARSHAAMBROSIUS
Say what you want about facebook or the iPhone, perhaps one of the most iconic inventions in the last 50 years was without a doubt MTV‘s The Real World.  Not only did it launch the unmanagable entertainment movement that is reality TV but in its third season, the show took a huge calculated risk with its San Fransisco season.

We were introduced to Rachel, Judd, Pam, Cory, Mohammed, Jo and the wildly disgusting and memorable Puck.  But while we didn’t quite know it at the time, Pedro, the first cast member with AIDS not only embodied the disease but gave a human face to Gay lifestyle.  He was a normal guy, he just had a husband in Sean.  Perhaps the most unusual thing about him was his accent.  His death following the final episode shook pop culture to its core.

From this moment until now, the homosexual community has made tremendous strides at becoming accepted within society.  But despite such progress, their are those that still cower in the shadows in fear, those that face embarrassment, ridicule and bullying from their peers.  This unfortunately has lead to many homosexual youth insecure in their own skin to take their life rather than face the work.

Today, Marsha Ambrosius is standing up for those that can’t.  The former Floetry songstress is addressing gay bashing and the suicides its been responsible for. Her friend, who attempted suicide, inspired the her project, “Late Nights & Early Mornings.”

“I lost a friend and I’ve had friends that have attempted suicide,” Ambrosius tells The AP. “There are people that don’t have a voice to speak out and show what is happening and what can happen, so I just wanted people to see the honesty in it and be aware.”

Her new music video graphically shows a gay man being assaulted after being seen kissing another man. The video ends with the man committing suicide.

“Because they’re in such a bad place in their lives, there’s nothing you can do to help someone if they can’t help themselves,” she continued.  “I go to my shows and my audience is predominantly gay … I’ve been approached by many who’ve said my music has influenced them and we’ll speak about experiences that they’ve had. It’s just only right that I give that voice back.”

“I think many musicians separate themselves from what they’re actually going through in real life for fear of being judged for, you know, what their political views are (and) what they feel personally about things that are going on in the real world.  Music for me is personal and that’s the only way I know how to approach it.”

I don’t know Marsha to be Gay but I will say violence against anyone because of their sexual orientation is an abomination and is counter-productive in our society.  I’ll be honest.  There was a time when I was just as homophobic as the next man.  But that was due to my ignorance not hatred.  Things have changed, I have grown and I have learned and I hope the Nation has as well.  While I can’t say I’m the most supportive of the Homosexual lifestyle I feel that I’ve matured in my understanding of it.  While I probably won’t ever walk in the Gay Pride parade I commend Marsha Ambrosius for taking a stand, a stand that while I am not yet mature enough to make I certainly agree with its premise.