The Purple Patch - Missouri Valley College

the podium, trying to make sure his voice would be absolutely clear.
He’d forgotten the cough drops his husband had left out for him that
day, and he’d been regretting it all morning.
Phelps hated election season; his watery constitution combined
with the concentrated stress always ensured that he developed
a nasty cold. It made for some awkward speech-giving, especially on
such a brisk spring day such as this.
Making absolutely sure that his throat was cleared of all
blockages, Phelps took to the microphone amidst cheering and signwaving
from his supporters. He gave them all one of his trademark
winning smiles, and then launched into his speech.
Jonathon, 15
Jonathon regarded the television screen with growing discomfort.
With each word from the senator’s mouth, he could feel a hot
squirm of guilt in the pit of his stomach, and he knew all too well the
reason why.
“—if for no other reason than because of the damage that such
a union would cause to the children. Many heterosexual rights groups
insist that a union between a man and a woman is natural simply
because of the fact that it can “naturally” produce children.”
But think, for just a moment, my friends, how a child from
such a union would be affected mentally. Just imagine how confusing
and disorienting it would become.
“Children must have stable, same-sex role models they can
look up to; if they are forced to split between a male and female influence,
it would be permanently damaging to the child’s psyche and
their sexual identity. Study after study shows that--”
Jonathon didn’t dare excuse himself from the room, despite
his growing urge to flee. His fathers were both on the couch watching
the broadcast with approval, and Dan was even wearing his threadbare
“VOTE PHELPS” t-shirt.
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