Why Do I Give A Crap About Equality?

A Message From Donnie Kendall
Allow Donnie to "step outta character" for a moment, and give you a rare glimpse inside his heart and mind. The guard is down. Here we go...

Beginning at birth, I was exposed to all walks of life. Our family traveled all over the country, meeting new people along the way. I was never shielded from the diversity of the world. I watched as my parents laughed with, hugged, and genuinely loved people of all different races, religions, backgrounds, and sexual orientations. I never saw skin color or gender or disabilities, I saw human beings with whom to share life experiences.

Equality is important to me for several reasons, and one of those reasons is my Uncle Gary. He and his partner, Don, welcomed us into their home back in the 1980s while we were visiting California. Uncle Gary was a beautiful human being with a hilarious sense of humor, and an extremely kind and gentle heart. Even as a child, I knew Uncle Gary and Don loved each other dearly, but I also noticed people mocking them in public. I didn't understand why people would shout mean things to them, especially when they didn't know them. I didn't understand why Uncle Gary would move all the way to California when practically the whole family lived in Michigan. All he talked about was how much he missed the family and loved them. I asked, "why don't you and Uncle Don just come back to Michigan with us?" He smiled and hugged me as tears formed in his eyes, "Someday you may understand, Donnie."

I later found out most of the family disowned him. He moved away to have his own life, but ridicule followed him everywhere he went. He never hurt anyone. He just wanted to find happiness. So no, Uncle Gary. I will never understand how anyone could be made to feel so inferior for something they did not choose or ask for. Being gay isn't a choice. Being ignorant is.

Uncle Gary passed away years ago. I miss him. I love him. He never got to feel accepted by most of the family members who shunned him. He never had the chance to be recognized legally as a couple with his committed partner, and one of the only people in the world who showed him unconditional love. It's a shame. I would have loved to be a groomsman at their wedding. 

My parents and Uncle Don and Uncle Gary taught me a lot. They taught me to not just tolerate people, but accept them. I am blessed to have grown up in a home that taught, and more importantly DISPLAYED love, acceptance, and respect for everyone.

We're close, Uncle Gary. I really wish you were here to celebrate this grand awakening.

PHOTOS
Top Right: Baby Donnie with Mom and Dad
Lower Left: Uncle Gary

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Julio Has Arrived!

Hey everyone! Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Julio Gigglefitz (short for Gigglefitzgerald), and I'm the newest Gimme Your Hand Intern! I've been assigned the title: "Social Media Ambassador For Gimme Your Hand Entertainment". I have no clue what that means, but I started a Facebook page so I can keep you up to date on the latest GYHE news, articles, and behind the scenes stuff! You can also check out my personal photos (I'll try to sneak in some candid pics of the staff, too).

Maybe you're thinking, "If a website has the capability to 'jump the shark', GimmeYourHand.com has certainly done it with this Gigglefitz mumbo-jumbo." And you'd be right! But why not have some fun with me anyway?

"Follow" me. "Like" me. "Share" me. And don't be too shy to say hello!

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Is "Coke Life" The Death Of Coca-Cola?

If you are expecting a family-friendly article, just as sweet as America's favorite soft drink, you came to the wrong place. I'm Rex Delaney, and I enjoy colorful language. With that warning, let's do this.

People nowadays want to whine and bitch about companies like McDonald's and Coca-Cola being too unhealthy. People have actually sued McDonald's for "making their kids fat". Since it's obvious by all the folks on their Rascal Scooters at the supermarket that no one plans to take responsibility for the junk they pile into their own faces, companies have tried to offer "healthier" options. McDonald's is now offering milk instead of sodas, and apple slices in their Happy Meals. They give you Nutritional Information so you can make "smart" choices. If you were able to make a "smart" choice as far as food is concerned, you sure as hell wouldn't be slammin' greasy Big Macs down your cake hole at McDonald's. But I digress. Companies stand to make billions of dollars off the laziness, ignorance, and mass hysteria of today's average consumer. They also risk destroying a legacy that took generations to build.

Coca-Cola also hitched a ride on this "healthier" money train last year when they introduced a new product called Coca-Cola Life in Argentina and Chile. The soda pop is a lower calorie version of the beloved original, and it is sweetened with Stevia, a plant-based sweetener. Coke Life comes in a green container (because we all know green means "Look at me! I'm making a smart choice!"), and is being marketed as a healthier alternative to regular Coke. With Coke Life, you are not getting the cane sugar or high fructose death syrup. You are getting a "naturally sweetened" beverage that has a reported 89 calories per serving instead of the 140 from the Classic. Sure, it's not the zero calories Diet Coke has to offer, but it also doesn't contain Aspartame. I'll leave it up to you to research all of the health concerns and horror stories related to Aspartame. I believe that shit is nothing but poison. Anyway, Coca-Cola plans to sell their Life in Great Britain later this year, and it should make its way to the United States shortly thereafter. But will us Americans embrace it? The image of this American original, all decked-out in red and white, has been burned into our minds since we were children. Will Americans crap all over this green abomination as if it was the idea of Batman being played by Ben Affleck? And will Coke's sales take a hit like McDonald's did when they went "healthier"? You used to know exactly what you were in for when you drove through a Micky D's drive thru, or when you cracked open a can of icy-cold Coke on a summer day. To some Americans, you just don't mess with the classics.

Personally, I think it will be interesting to try Coke Life. I won't guzzle it. But to me, nothing beats a real Coke... in moderation. I think of it as a well deserved treat. It's not the Coke or the McDonald's making people fat; it's the laziness and lack of self control. Have A Coke, not a 12-pack. Have A McDonald's sandwich once in a while, not everyday. Haul your ass off the Walmart scooter, and WALK to the produce department. Sadly, the only thing people seem to use in moderation is common sense.

I'm Rex Delaney, and I don't really think Ben Affleck is all that bad... in moderation.

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