If you missed Epi 146 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬, you can check it here! Thanks to Keith Swoop Lewis Swoop Swoopsworld    http://blog.healthynewday.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/xandermonium/2015/09/26/episode-146

In 2008 Barack Hussein Obama was voted into office as the first “African American” President  in the history of The United States. People were elated, there were celebrations all across the country, ticker tape parades, tears of joy and glasses were charged a plenty.

Oprah was ecstatic that her hero of the hour had taken office and it was as if the Prince of Ethiopia himself, had returned. The world looked on as The Harvard and Columbia graduate was inaugurated into the highest office in the land, Commander In Chief and a new era of change was ushered in. "Yes we can" was the song of victory, but “Yes we can” what?, remained to be seen.

It may surprise you to know that I, Xander Gibb was one of those that felt this was the best thing that had ever happen to our great land and in many ways it was. America was on the brink of returning to it’s former state of greatness and with a black person in the White House, there was hope for an end to the racial divisions that had held us back for so long.

Many questioned Obama’s credibility and even his American birthright and also his religion as clearly with a name such as his he had to be a Muslim right? At that time, Obama could no wrong for me. He was the best thing since sliced bread and was going to be the savior of this blessed country and dare criticize him and there would be trouble from me and anyone else that supported him.

As a lifelong Democrat with admittedly Conservative leanings (not that I would have admitted that) I threw myself into supporting Obama and his Administration, because that’s what Patriots did. I believed in his promise of effecting change for me and mine and believed rather naively, even if I do say so myself, that he could make a credible difference.

The Republicans I had come into contact with all seemed like they hated Obama and I believed the media hype that it was because he was black and because he wasn't a Republican. Clearly Republicans didn't care about our country and didn't know what patriotism was, because if they did they would feel exactly how I did right?

The level of media brainwashing was at pandemic proportions and even though I considered myself to be fairly objective, (seriously?) I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I had always been something of an activist and with a background in Human Rights, Journalism and Public speaking, I quickly became sucked into the campaign to spread the word that Baz Obama could do no wrong. I blindly believed everything that was spoon fed to me, 24/7, by the Liberal media and never questioned that any kind of bias ever existed.

I believed the news outlets that graciously informed me that ALL Republicans hated me because I am gay and that their every disagreement with The Obama administration was due to the color of his skin. No way could it be that his policies were faulty in any way shape or form, oh no, it was that those damn Republicans were not giving him a chance and hating on poor old Baz.

All blame for anything financial was at the feet of George Bush and “You can't fix eight years of misadministration in four” right? (I wonder how many supporters of the next incumbent will say the same of Baz?) The previous incumbent  (W) was to blame for everything from a lack of health care, to gays not being able to marry, to yes you guessed it, Bigfoot sightings globally!

There does come a time when one has to see how deep the rabbit hole actually goes and towards the end of Obama’s first term in office, something clearly wasn't right. When you have been force fed falsities for so long, it is very hard to actually begin to question anything, heaven forbid check other news sources for clarity and fact.

Having been involved in The Media as a Writer, Presenter, etc I was never one to shy away from sharing my opinion. Friends were starting podcasts around the topics that interested them and I thought if they could, why couldn't I? I wanted to actually be honest and objective and whilst I know this  has become a rarity in media, I wanted to give it a try and see where it took me.

The price of my objectivity was indeed high as it forced me to be totally honest in my level of response, to not only the world around me, but also regarding The Party and Leadership, who for most of my adult life, could do no wrong in my opinion. Getting to a point where I had to evolve and question the policies and responses of my chosen party of affiliation, that which closest fit my ideologies or so I thought, was one of the toughest times of my life.

When one begins to look into claims and ideologies of one's political party and finds that they no longer represent them, it is a very scary situation indeed. Friends and peers do not deal well with change in political direction and woe betide I should criticize the ever increasing lunacy of the decisions of King Baz. I was called everything from a turncoat to a Racist, to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I could no longer defend Obama’s crazy and dangerous action or even blame it on W, or agree blindly with issues that were clearly wrong for our country.

My show changed direction radically and whilst I am sure that isolated some of my audience, it was imperative for me to be true to myself. I learned long ago that your audience will find you. The chat room would literally gasp as I criticized Obama care, considering I had championed it, because the Republicans didn't have an alternative viable option, right? Looking back I was foolish to have supported the plan in the first place, given that if it was such a wonderful idea, why did it have to come with a compulsory purchase order?

Around that time I became acquainted with Dr Gina Loudon, a conservative talk show host, who appeared on an episode of Wife Swap. The show painted her as homophobic and nothing could be further from the truth. If you oppose same sex marriage, you are a homophobe, right? I attacked her with commentary on Social Media claiming she was a Christian in name only. To her credit, she didn't block me, but chose to engage in civil discourse. Imagine that, a Republican willing to discuss the real issues with me, without quoting party lines.

I credit Dr. Loudon with being instrumental in my evolution and although we clashed on some issues, her influence was both positive and caring and totally non judgmental. Our friendship grew and looking back, if I had been her, I would have ran and maybe got a restraining order. She recounted our connection and subsequent friendship in her best selling book “What Women Really Want”, and I was surprised to learn that our friendship had impacted her life too.

Looking back I am actually grateful that I had made this connection as it was clearly pivotal in me challenging my own beliefs, ideologies and principles. It even forced me to concede that maybe I was wrong and that there were Conservatives out there that actually felt like me, that were truly patriotic and loved our country. Conservatives that loved our country enough to befriend and outspoken Democrat even though they were criticized for doing so.

The list of Obama’s failed and narcissistic policies were endless and grew on daily basis. While others dealt badly with my change of direction politically, my evolution if you will, my change was more to do with me questioning everything. As human beings, we rely far too much on being told what to think and have forgotten how to think for ourselves and it increases as time goes on.

No matter which party you feel suits you best, you should always question and analyze every decision in great detail. There is no guarantee that our party of choice will always get it right or that it will always make the best decisions. We should never be afraid to jump ship, simply because we are afraid of what people might think of us.

The madness of King Baz continues with such dangerous decisions as giving Iran Nuclear Components, a country that has threatened both us and our allies on numerous occasions, treats women like dogs and kills gays for merely existing. The ideology that Iran can be trusted is the most foolish notion ever, even more foolish than thinking a “Community Leader” could do a good job of running these United States.

To consider that Iran could self police regarding nuclear components and nuclear technology and that we should make an appointment to inspect said issues is further evidence of the continuing lunacies of Obama. This is all before we even contemplate Ministers of Religion being forced to marry same sex couples and Business owners being forced to provide a service. Our world has gone mad because we elect lunatics to run things.

Before you presume that I wrote this article because I am a Republican, nothing could be further from the truth as I identify as a Libertarian. Funnily enough, a lot of Democrats think I am a Republican and vice versa, dependent on the issue. Presumption is dangerous and let’s face it, we presumed Obama would make a great leader and clearly we were wrong. I was wrong!

Don't take anything, anyone says as red. Check the facts and learn to separate fact from opinion. Measure opinion based upon the facts and how they play out in reality. If we make decisions based upon what people might think of us, our motivation is truly flawed. As for Obama being mad, clearly I have formed that opinion because I hate him or because I am racist right? Wrong! Let the madness end, and I am here to tell you, it begins with you.

Love and Peace,
Xan x

If you missed Epi 141 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬, you can check it here!
Thanks to Tony Losacco, Jeff Kristian, London Calling TV Show & Charlie Ross 
http://tobtr.com/s/7857723 Next  Week: Tony Losacco, Jason Prince & David Weissman.

If you missed Epi 140 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬ you can check it here . Thanks to Tony Losacco https://www.facebook.com/truthmattersthefullstory?fref=ts
 http://tobtr.com/s/7841363 Next week, Comedian Charlie Ross joins us!

If you missed Epi 138 of #Xandermonium you can check it here.
Thanks to Tony Losacco _
and in Leda Beluche from _
from The GirlieVegan Show. 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/xandermonium/2015/08/01/episode-138

Last week saw an onslaught in the issues surrounding those who identify as Trans. The latest episode in the saga was played out live on national television on Dr Drew’s Show and the main combatants were Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro and Trans Journalist Zoe Tur.

Clearly they had been seated side by side for maximum effect and all Dr Drew had to do was make the bullets for Shapiro to fire and sit back and watch the floor show. The topic of discussion was Caitlyn Jenner’s acceptance of the ESPYs Arthur Ashe Award and opinions regarding Jenner’s acceptance.

Whether I agree with Jenner receiving the award aside, what SHE chose to do was nothing short of amazing in my book. Every year, all over the world, young people kill themselves due to harassment and bullying regarding their sexuality, gender issues or a response to finding themselves.

So what was so amazing about Jenner’s response to winning the award I hear you say? Regardless of how brave or not this individual is, SHE used the situation to highlight the plight of these young people who are affected by the level of trickle down hate perpetuated by all who wrap up their opinions in an oh so particular way.

You will notice I have referred to Jenner as SHE, because in my world, as a basic order of respect I will refer to people as what they prescribe, not what I decide I think they should be. Surely if nothing else, whether or not we agree with someone’s opinions and life choices, we at least owe them a little courtesy and respect, or one would think.

This is where it all fell apart for me on Dr Drew’s show and the animosity was visible from the outset. Shapiro, famed for his loathing of all things LGBT was as expected true to form. Whilst I totally feel he has every right to any opinion he pleases, as after all this is still America right, he lost any respect when he became disrespectful to Tur.

Check out Xander's Debut Novel, The Boy From Beyond The Ice House. The Tale of a boy growing up in a mixed up world.

Calling Zoe Tur, Sir was strike one for me and his argument was dissolved immediately. Strike two was referring to both Tur and Jenner in the masculine. Once again, to not use the chosen vernacular an individual has proffered for themselves is not respectful in any way, shape or form. This was clearly nothing short of a set up, and the fact anyone was surprised by Tur’s response was totally ridiculous in the circumstances.

Whilst Tur was not blameless in this situation as I feel she never should have laid a hand on him, to call this battery is nothing short of hilarity given the fact that Tur could clearly have whipped the floor with Shapiro. For Shapiro to level charges of battery with the LAPD is really another ridiculous attempt at publicity seeking on Shapiro’s part.

As always I see the myriad of opinions pertaining to who was right and who wrong in this situation. As I get older, I find myself not needing to form and share an opinion based upon what is popular. The price of being a Social Commentator is that people will not always like or agree with your commentary, but your audience will always find you.

I am not sure when it became popular to see those who disagree with us as haters, but some quite clearly are and whilst I am not here to defend either party, we need to see exactly what happened here. A TV show set up a situation, clearly designed to cause further divide between a community that is already so divided a blow torch couldn’t arc weld it together right now.

This was no difference to Piers Morgan engaging former Growing Pains Actor Kirk Cameron on LGBT issues. Clearly some hosts rely on cashing in on the fact some are vehemently opinionated. As a Christian, he was bound to come from a position of that ilk, just like both Tur and Shapiro would respond as expected, given their particular perspectives on the subject matter.

Some elements of the media have a hidden agenda to sensationalize issues such as this and fan an already inflamed situation, into a raging inferno, created for ratings alone. Whilst there are a plethora of things I am not happy with regarding the LGBT Community right now, I for one will not be drawn into hating on people I am told I should disagree with.

I cannot bring myself to hate someone for exercising their right to explore what they fundamentally feel is in their core. I might not understand it or necessarily agree with it, but my core tells me that in order to be the best that I can be, before myself and God, I should not judge.

Whilst we continue to subscribe to these things as a society, it will continue to crumble. We cannot continue to further divide ourselves in this way, when there has to be a better way. Whilst even as Gay Man, I do not understand what it is like to be Trans but as a Christian/J4J, I know I am called to be compassionate, and if I have lost compassion, I have lost everything.

Saying facts don’t care about your feelings is a rather arrogant way of saying you don’t care and you will say exactly what you please, regardless of whom it may offend. We do not have to agree, but we need to show a little respect and stop subscribing to divisive individuals and divisive media.

Love and Peace
Xander x 

If you missed Episode 136 of ‪#‎Xandermonium, you can check it here. Thanks to Sarah Boyles, Marisa Liza Pell & Noah Michelson​

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/xandermonium/2015/07/18/xandermonium-episode-136

If you missed Episode 134 of ‪#‎Xandermonium 
you can check it here. Thanks to Thomas S Schmitz,

http://tobtr.com/s/7738125 

If you missed Episode 133 of #Xandermonium, you can check it here.
Thanks to Noah Michelson & Xander Berkeley 
http://tobtr.com/7718489

In a landmark decision last Friday, SCOTUS (Supreme Court of The United States) voted 5 to 4 in favor of legalizing Same Sex Unions in all 50 states of the United States. A mixed reaction was received from sheer elation to total shock and horror.

Those of you that know me well, will be aware of just how much work I have put into effecting change in the last 25 years for the LGBT Community. For me this ruling should be a landmark in my timeline., as a gay person who believes in equality, however my response was sadly, bitter sweet.

Whilst I am elated that my community will finally have more rights, as a Christian and someone who considers themselves to be so much more than their sexuality, I will not be so easily bought with high priced tokens . It has become clear that not toeing the LGBT line has a price to pay but clearly I lost my fag badge some time ago.

For us to assume that this is a solid victory is nothing short of folly. When the US Government dealt with Civil Partnerships, they could have saved a lot of bad feeling and disharmony by affording exactly the same rights as Marriage, however they didn’t. Please do not delude  yourself that the recent ruling is anything to do with equality or truly supporting our community, as the methodology is further evidence of governmental control attempts.

“Oh Xander but we now  have full equality under the law”, I hear you say, but sadly we haven't and the cost of this empty gesture has far reaching consequences for us as a nation. If we analyze the rights afforded by Marriage and those of same sex Marriage, we will see they are anything but equal. Employment rights surely needed the most urgent attention as one can still be fired for being gay in some states.

Legalizing same-sex “marriage,” means The State can call upon public officials to preside over ceremonies, order public schools to teach its acceptability to children, and punish  any state employee who expresses disapproval. One could maybe argue Judges and officials should perform these ceremonies as it is their job, but do we really want anybody to be forced to accept us?

Ministers of Religion could also be forced by Law to perform these ceremonies under penalty of prosecution, even if they do not accept the sanctity of the ceremony. If a heterosexual approaches a Minister of religion to request a Marriage Ceremony be performed and the individual does not attend the church or is not a member of that faith, the Minister may refuse. How is this Equality if people are forced to participate? This is called slavery and no one should be forced to perform a service if  they choose not too in these United States.

Christians will now be expected to ignore their conscience and comply or face prosecution. Is this really what we want in order to access our rights and to obtain equality? Is this what I have spent the last 25 years campaigning for? I really think not. If obtaining our rights includes trampling all over the rights of others, what have we really achieved?

Before you say “Xander, it would never happen” I am here to tell you that it already did. Donald and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers who own the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho were told they had to either perform same-sex weddings or face jail time and up to a $1,000 fine. Equality is not about my rights being more important than yours, it is about them being the same or that would be privilege. surely?  Saying no should be a right for whatever reason, and being forced is slavery.

There is method in the madness here and this is clearly the Government using Same Sex Marriage as a tool of control. Churches that refuse  comply as well as being open to prosecution will more than likely lose their Tax Exempt status . If like me you were wondering what the cost is for all of this , you now have the answer. When did our community become the aggressors? Did I miss that memo?

I have defended our rights to the hilt and whilst I will continue to do so, I am really left scratching my head. This really is equality at any price any price and the fact that most won't see that we have been used, is the saddest part of all . Whilst division is never totally unavoidable, this was clearly premeditated and I cannot support or celebrate slavery. We all deserve equality under the law, but forcing others to comply or celebrate it is not what I signed up for. We need to see beyond the veneer of gestures of this kind and hold on tight. This is a very slippery slope!
Are you here to be liked or to make a difference?
Love and Peace, Xander.

If you missed Epi 132 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬, you can check it here!
Thanks to Anthony Losacco & Justin Gregory Lopez
http://tobtr.com/s/7703449 
Today's show was dedicated to Stephen NH Bacon 

If you missed Episode 130 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬, you can check it here. Thanks to Anthony Losacco http://tobtr.com/s/7660807

If you missed Epi 130 of ‪#‎Xandermonium you can check it here!
http://tobtr.com/7642011

If you missed Epi 127 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬ you can check it out here. Thanks to Juan and Patrick Duffy from 2 Dads + 4 Kids. Next week Anthony Losacco & Sarah Boyles join us,
http://tobtr.com/s/7606053

If you missed Epi 126 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬ check it out here.
Thanks to Anthony Losacco & Mike Horton & Melissa Horton from Yabberz
http://tobtr.com/s/7588299

If you missed Episode 125 of ‪#‎Xandermonium‬
you can check it here! Thanks to Wendy VanderWal Gritter from
New Direction for joining us xo http://tobtr.com/s/7556871.

Remaining compassionate whilst maintaining the courage of Our convictions. 
After the announcement recently that Indiana had passed its own version of A Religious Freedom bill, to which my first response was if I am honest disappointment.  The misinformation and scare mongering reached epic proportions and drew the haters out of the woodwork. As a result of this bill some Conservatives even began using the phraseology “LGBT Jihad”

There have been a few items in the news pertaining to Business’s refusing to cater for events that were LGTB in origin. Most memorably there was the Baker who refused to bake a cake for a Gay Wedding and the Pizza Store who also refused to cater. No too sure what group of miscreants would want to serve pizza at a wedding but taste is clearly relative.

As a gay person I feel sad that people are refused service on the grounds of their sexuality or perceived orientation but one cannot presume to force another into service or that would be slavery right? If I was ever refused service on the grounds of my sexuality, I would find some other company that wanted to take my gay money as it is still a buyers market. I do have to wonder how many of these businesses would refuse to cater a wedding for a divorcee, a murderer or someone who wears clothing made of mixed fibers.

Market forces will always dictate the success or failure of a business and if people are willing to diminish the number of clients through the door by refusing to serve certain groups, word does get around and either those who agree with your stance will patronize your establishment or you will have to close.

The reasons stated by the pizza people for not providing a service was that they didn’t agree with gay marriage as it was in their opinion, not acceptable and they did not want to be a part of that. Participating in their opinion added some element of culpability however if you sell someone a gun and they kill someone you would not have a level of culpability.

Whilst I may vehemently disagree with the fact that people do this I fundamentally recognize their right to do so. My issue with this is the level of hypocrisy attached to this. They would serve an adulterer or a murderer or any other common or garden sinner. If you consider homosexuality to be a sin, the bible teaches us that there is no grading in sin, so why do some Christians seek to elevate some sins/perceived sins over others?

Much to the chagrin of some of my LGBT brethren, I have over the last few years evolved, personally, politically and in many other ways. For so long I thought all Conservatives and Republicans were haters and believe me some are to the point of being hypocrites. The reality is so many are not and want the same things as you or I and genuinely care and love and want things to change and get better.

Getting to know so many Conservatives and even developing very close relationships both personally and professionally I grew and actually changed for the better. I have even been told by some that have learned a lot from me. Whilst I wish to continue growing with my fellow Americans who I might not see eye to eye with on every issue, there sadly comes a point where one has to draw a clear line in the sand and stand up for what one believes.

Since gay marriage has being legalized in so many states and also the institution of laws that were initially set out to protect us things have shifted somewhat. Some (and please notice that I care enough not to generalize) Conservative Christians have really shown their true colors and have sadly wrapped that fact in scripture, and used it to attack which still does not make it right.

Whilst I am big enough to stick up for myself and even for you from time to time, there are those among us who cannot. It really is our job gay or straight, black or white, whatever to attempt to make a difference for them and us.  If we are ever going to come together as Americans we have to learn to live together, differences and all. To not do so will really will become our undoing and the blame is not just on one side of the divide. I am here to tell you it is on both.

I have spent the majority of my adult life working to further equality for the LGBT community and of late have been left somewhat disillusioned. I do not feel we have the right as gay people to force service provision. I do feel we have the right to access the same rights as other people, but I do not believe that Ministers of Religion should be forced to marry two people of the same sex if they do not agree with that standing. 


Have we as the LGBT community forgotten what this struggle was about? We cannot force acceptance and to do so makes us as bad if not worse than those who we say oppress us.

By the same token Christians can’t go around hating gay people because of gay marriage and the laws of protection. Where is the love? Did you forget about the message of our savior Jesus Christ? He came to this earth to teach us to love one another and died nailed to a cross to declare his love for mankind. All of mankind, regardless of sexuality, how you vote or what your opinions are. I hate to break it too you Conservative Christians, but Jesus died for the gays too.

I have kept my cool on Social Media for so long but really had to respond yesterday to a meme someone had crudely made misquoting scripture.  (See above) It read CHRISTIANS REBUKE THE GAY COMMUNITY! HOMESEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION! (LEV.18:22) HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS SIGN GO COMPLAIN TO YAWEH. Aside of the blatant misuse of scripture and the fact that nowhere in the Bible are the words Homosexual or Homosexuality found, here is a Conservative Christian calling for the harassment of gays on FaceBook!

Why are they not harassing thieves, adulterers and murderers too? Where did we go wrong? Did we suddenly lose the need for God? I don’t want to be tolerated and I will not stand idly by while you alter scripture and use it to hit me over the head with. I will not be subjected to harassment on Social Media for being gay. I will not debate with people whose sole quest is to elevate Homosexuality as an unforgivable sin and worse than any other if you consider it to be a sin.  Sin is sin, is sin……… 

In order for change to occur we all have to try harder and stop judging each other. It is one thing to maintain the courage of your conviction, but in doing so we must remain compassionate. I am speaking to all of us in that statement, we need to remain compassionate and try to work together for the greater good. Hate begets hate and we need to stop the hate as it trickles downward. None of us are without sin and need to deal with the sin in our own lives before point out the sin or perceived sin in others.  Love is louder!

Love and peace

Xan x