I'm friends with this guy. He went to my college last year, but transferred. He's going to Oxford right now and let me tell you, he's going places. Don't be surprised to see him in Congress within the next decade or so.
@crock703 if you knew anything about the struggles of the blacks, gays, and other oppressed groups you would not leave such negative comments about a 20 year old kid who has the courage to do something for others. you allude to your feeling that he is somehow contrived and insincere. I want to remind you just how few people are willing to stand up for others if at all. if he gets to put it on a resume that's great. would it be any more noble to have an ibank on a resume? stop being silly.
Actually, those who remain neutral are at the vestibule of hell in Dante's inferno. They are rejected by heaven and hell for not taking a stance. The ninth circle is reserved for traitors. OTher than that, I completely agree with you.
Practically an Obama impersonation, and a poor one at that. I agree with what he says, but he needs to develop his own voice, instead of borrowing from the current president so much.
"MY name is Sam Sussman... and I am so psyched to have nearly perfected my "politician" impression. thank you for watching, and feeding my budding ego an ambition."
A lot of you older folks may be impressed with this, but looking at my peer I just want to puke. A message that is correct and that is this important, being delivered in such a manufactured way is gross. Sincerity is the political currency of the future, not this "I'll fight for you!" relic.
Kind of akin to Sinatra crooning about tolerance and brotherhood during the Civil Rights Era, when "What's Goin' On" was what really struck a chord in people's hearts.
My parents and aunts & uncles were bowled over by Obama, but my friends and cousins (who grew up in front of television, basically studying acting and delivery) were all much wearier. We all voted for Obama, and gladly so still today.
Don't get wet for something you really want. Keep your bullshit radars calibrated, and get it.
Many wrongly think our rights come from the Constitution. But it was framed in a manner acknowledging our rights are our own. The only exceptions are when we delegate powers to the gov't or the gov't is defending the greater right of others.
The 14th Amend. obligates the federal government to defend our rights even against the unconstitutional encroachment of power by the states, it doesn't grant us our rights, it defends them.
The young get it, gay marriage is already a fact in the US, and things are never going back to the way the social conservatives wish. Sorry but the boomers are dying and their ranks are not getting replaced.
loving v virgina may not have changed my grandparents mind on interracial marriage but that generation is gone and mine doesn't care.
25 years ago, I was hot-headed, impatient with those whose opinions clashed with mine. I ascribed only the worst motives to them. You demand "marriage rights?" You've got 'em. Marriage is the joining of man and woman, as it has been for thousands of years. Only in your lifetime has "gay marriage" even been conceived. It was certainly unheard of when I was your age--and now, it's a civil rights issue?! Please. You don't want marriage. You want to change its definition. For ALL of us.
"Marriage is the joining of man and woman, as it has been for thousands of years."
Incorrect. For several thousands of years, marriage was the joining of a man and as many women as the man could afford. But the law was changed to exclude polygamy so that men who didn't have a lot of money could also find a wife. So unless you want to turn your wife over to Bill Gates, allow gays to have the same opportunity to marry that you have.
You seem to have missed the point: What marriage IS today is not what it WAS for thousands of years. So you cannot rationally claim that changing the definition of marriage should be prohibited when the definition has already been changed to allow people like yourself to have the same opportunity as wealthy people.
Marriage has always been the same with regard to women marrying men, and vice versa. No culture anywhere has ever even fathomed "gay marriage." As to plural marriage, that was available in some cultures for wealthier men, but that never meant that marriage of one man to one woman was prohibited. If you disagree, give me an example, particularly in the West.
i love your enthusiasm and dedication to this issue. but a 14th amendment argument will fail; equal protection doesnt apply because straight people can't get gay married either. i know how asinine that sounds, but thats how eq protection works.
That's like saying it's OK to keep Blacks from marrying white people because white people can't marry blacks either. That's your definition of 'equal protection.'
No, that's the Supreme Court's definition. The SC killed anti-miscegenation laws partly because they only stopped white people from marrying non-whites. A black person could marry an Asian or Hispanic, etc. I'm not defending miscegenation, just pointing out that EP arguments in favor of gay marriage are inherently flawed because a gay man is not prevented from marrying a woman and a lesbian isn't prevented from marrying a man.
That's incorrect. In 1883, the Supreme Court ruled an Alabama anti-miscegenation statute did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment because both races were treated equally, and whites and blacks were punished in equal measure for breaking the law against interracial marriage. The Supreme Court changed their opinion in 1883 based upon racial discrimination. ruling that "the freedom to marry... resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State."
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I ain't going to the march now. Isn't it typical of a haterosexual to win gay contest. I had hope that the best speaker would win but once again I am disappointed. A inadequate haterosexual gets to speak for gay people because just like haterosexuals gay people believe heterosexuals are better. Yes, Sam got this speaking spot because he's heterosexual. Yet more anti-gay discrimination.
Ok let's face it. First, to refer to them as haterosexuals is showing our own version of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance. As sad as it is, it seems that straight voices are the ones most heard in this. Granted they are present only to back up the resounding voice of the LGBT community. But when a voice from the majority speaks for the silent, voiceless minority, then our voice stands a chance at sounding less garbled and coming across more clear. I think he did well, so cut the boy some slack.
I'm really sad to read this. Sam is not only fighting for gay rights, he is fighting for equality. The fact that you are not attending the march because someone STRAIGHT is speaking is just as bad as a gay man or women being discriminated against. It's people like you that he is fighting against. He has fought so much for EQUALITY, you should put more time into what he has done rather than worrying about his sexuality.
My goodness man, are you out of your mind? How are we going to get anywhere without our friends and family and allies (the overwhelming majority are heterosexual)?? How are we better than the monsters on the right if we begin excluding straights like they exclude us? Look in the mirror friend. You're becoming the monster you want to fight. Haterosexual indeed, my god, wake up.
Thank you so much for your impassioned speech for Equality! And thanks for being an awesome and outspoken Straight Ally! You will go somewhere! Keep up the good work. This is the Civil Rights battle of our day!
Yeah, I love that he's a straight allies. Thank for putting yourself out there Sam. However, your delivery didn't really move me. It's like other stuff we've heard before. Good luck on your political career though. You might just have a niche there.
YAYY GOOD LUCK!!! I'm soo glad that people around the country (like you) are taking a stand against hate and discrimination against LGBTs. THANK YOU SO MUCH :DDD
on an unrelated note - you look and sound a ton like bobby flay. beeteedubs.
Sam, very moved buddy. Even though i am a republic and neo conservative, i have to honestly say, that you do have a point, only one thing, the government doesn't define love, it defines marriage. You just might want to take that into consideration when you give your speech in washington! Oh, even though i am a republican, I have to say, your persuasiveness, changed my mind about gay marriage, and lesbian marriage. Go for it buddy.
I understand what you are saying, rd1999. We have sit through so many politicians delivering the right message with that same enthusiasm and zeal than turn out to be less than honest, it makes it difficult to believe. Thanks to SNL and MAD TV, as well, they have taught us the "politician speech" by over exaggeration....makes it hard to believe politicians that speak this way....even young ones.
It's important that people know that he's straight. The fact that young people like him who are not directly affected by the issue of gay rights are fighting for LGBT equality shows that the LGBT rights movement is growing. It's very similar to the way that white people joined in on the struggle for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. Sam represents an important change that is needed for LGBT people to achieve full equality. I find him very inspiring.
i can't help but notice that he feels the need to affirm that he's straight. aren't we supposed to be working for a world where sexuality distinctions don't matter?
Yes, he does mention that he's straight, but I don't think it's defensive, or a "not that there's anything wrong with that" type thing. It's how when MLK Jr. staged a march, he made sure to have blacks and whites in the front row. Committing to a cause when you don't stand to benefit personally is not only morally admirable, but damn effective activism.
Come on, considering the "political" delivery of his speech, it seems pretty obvious that he's interested in the reward this will yield.
Kudos to the cause, but for any young person today this is as obvious as joining the civil rights movement after Bill Cosby became America's Dad. There's still a little praise to be harvested from battle weary adults who are surprised to see a young straight ppl standing up for gay rights... at any school though, the equality questions gets a resounding "duh!"
Oh, I didn't say he wasn't ambitious, and yes the path has been well prepared for him by previous generations. Used to be that straights would only speak out for gay rights if it could be crystal clear that they themselves were not "that way." Otherwise they'd keep quiet. When Sam ID's himself as straight, I don't get that vibe from him at all. That was my point.
Oh, yeah agreed. He's mentions that he's straight not to protect himself, but to show that he isn't an obvious stakeholder. You were talking about it being morally admirable and effective to support a cause on principle, not reward, when there is little to immediately personally gain.. I thought you were identifying that with him.
I was harping to the battle-scarred older folks here, who get a little teary-eyed seeing a young kid speak like this, not realizing how obvious marriage equality is to young people who were raised in a culture that was shaped by THEIR efforts.
Relatedly, a lot of my parent's generation doesn't realize how easy it is for their young kids to "speak" (we studied speech & delivery at the foot of a television since we were babies.) Same w/ Obama (who I really like.)
Well....that's actually the way he talks! And it's all good....it DOES come from his heart....he's the brightest young person that I've met in a very long time. Wouldn't be surprised if he's President one day....actually I'm hoping for it! Keep on your path, Sam....never give up!
I'm friends with this guy. He went to my college last year, but transferred. He's going to Oxford right now and let me tell you, he's going places. Don't be surprised to see him in Congress within the next decade or so.
gracebasherguy92 9 months ago
@crock703 if you knew anything about the struggles of the blacks, gays, and other oppressed groups you would not leave such negative comments about a 20 year old kid who has the courage to do something for others. you allude to your feeling that he is somehow contrived and insincere. I want to remind you just how few people are willing to stand up for others if at all. if he gets to put it on a resume that's great. would it be any more noble to have an ibank on a resume? stop being silly.
Thearchere1 1 year ago
why do you have the same fucking name as me!?!
SO CREEPY MAN!
DiamondCentury 2 years ago
Comment removed
wyfofbath89 2 years ago
Actually, those who remain neutral are at the vestibule of hell in Dante's inferno. They are rejected by heaven and hell for not taking a stance. The ninth circle is reserved for traitors. OTher than that, I completely agree with you.
wyfofbath89 2 years ago
he had good content but i think mario nguyens seemed more geuine and passionate.
SydneyShaank 2 years ago
Comment removed
danielberinger 2 years ago
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mariamakenzie287 2 years ago
Practically an Obama impersonation, and a poor one at that. I agree with what he says, but he needs to develop his own voice, instead of borrowing from the current president so much.
inmotion86 2 years ago
"MY name is Sam Sussman... and I am so psyched to have nearly perfected my "politician" impression. thank you for watching, and feeding my budding ego an ambition."
A lot of you older folks may be impressed with this, but looking at my peer I just want to puke. A message that is correct and that is this important, being delivered in such a manufactured way is gross. Sincerity is the political currency of the future, not this "I'll fight for you!" relic.
Love the message, hate the messenger.
crock703 2 years ago 2
Kind of akin to Sinatra crooning about tolerance and brotherhood during the Civil Rights Era, when "What's Goin' On" was what really struck a chord in people's hearts.
My parents and aunts & uncles were bowled over by Obama, but my friends and cousins (who grew up in front of television, basically studying acting and delivery) were all much wearier. We all voted for Obama, and gladly so still today.
Don't get wet for something you really want. Keep your bullshit radars calibrated, and get it.
crock703 2 years ago
Substitute the word "Jew" or "Black" for "Gay" and you realize just how blatant sexual orientation discrimination is.
The time to end all discrimination in the United State of America is long past - let's get it done now.
Great job Sam.
MamoDad 2 years ago
Great speech! 1 quibble:
Many wrongly think our rights come from the Constitution. But it was framed in a manner acknowledging our rights are our own. The only exceptions are when we delegate powers to the gov't or the gov't is defending the greater right of others.
The 14th Amend. obligates the federal government to defend our rights even against the unconstitutional encroachment of power by the states, it doesn't grant us our rights, it defends them.
Gov'ts have no rights, only powers.
BluMoanin 2 years ago
The young get it, gay marriage is already a fact in the US, and things are never going back to the way the social conservatives wish. Sorry but the boomers are dying and their ranks are not getting replaced.
loving v virgina may not have changed my grandparents mind on interracial marriage but that generation is gone and mine doesn't care.
Same thing here.
syzygywell 2 years ago
I fully support his cause, but this kid needs to work on his delivery: he sounds like a lying politician already.
macunaima 2 years ago
25 years ago, I was hot-headed, impatient with those whose opinions clashed with mine. I ascribed only the worst motives to them. You demand "marriage rights?" You've got 'em. Marriage is the joining of man and woman, as it has been for thousands of years. Only in your lifetime has "gay marriage" even been conceived. It was certainly unheard of when I was your age--and now, it's a civil rights issue?! Please. You don't want marriage. You want to change its definition. For ALL of us.
dennis345 2 years ago
They said the same thing about blacks.
Nice copypasta, by the way.
Sprocketman 2 years ago
"Marriage is the joining of man and woman, as it has been for thousands of years."
Incorrect. For several thousands of years, marriage was the joining of a man and as many women as the man could afford. But the law was changed to exclude polygamy so that men who didn't have a lot of money could also find a wife. So unless you want to turn your wife over to Bill Gates, allow gays to have the same opportunity to marry that you have.
trebby2 2 years ago
Polygamy, polyandry, whatever. It's all man to woman (or plural on either side), never two men or two women. That's what marriage IS.
dennis345 2 years ago
You seem to have missed the point: What marriage IS today is not what it WAS for thousands of years. So you cannot rationally claim that changing the definition of marriage should be prohibited when the definition has already been changed to allow people like yourself to have the same opportunity as wealthy people.
trebby2 2 years ago
Marriage has always been the same with regard to women marrying men, and vice versa. No culture anywhere has ever even fathomed "gay marriage." As to plural marriage, that was available in some cultures for wealthier men, but that never meant that marriage of one man to one woman was prohibited. If you disagree, give me an example, particularly in the West.
dennis345 2 years ago
i love your enthusiasm and dedication to this issue. but a 14th amendment argument will fail; equal protection doesnt apply because straight people can't get gay married either. i know how asinine that sounds, but thats how eq protection works.
jewpiterjones 2 years ago
That's like saying it's OK to keep Blacks from marrying white people because white people can't marry blacks either. That's your definition of 'equal protection.'
trebby2 2 years ago
No, that's the Supreme Court's definition. The SC killed anti-miscegenation laws partly because they only stopped white people from marrying non-whites. A black person could marry an Asian or Hispanic, etc. I'm not defending miscegenation, just pointing out that EP arguments in favor of gay marriage are inherently flawed because a gay man is not prevented from marrying a woman and a lesbian isn't prevented from marrying a man.
jewpiterjones 2 years ago
That's incorrect. In 1883, the Supreme Court ruled an Alabama anti-miscegenation statute did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment because both races were treated equally, and whites and blacks were punished in equal measure for breaking the law against interracial marriage. The Supreme Court changed their opinion in 1883 based upon racial discrimination. ruling that "the freedom to marry... resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State."
trebby2 2 years ago
I should have written: "The Supreme Court changed their opinion in 1967 based upon racial discrimination..."
trebby2 2 years ago
he has gestures like obama.... dont u think
thelousyllama 2 years ago
my generation takes HEAT!! way to go, young brother.
dombrassey 2 years ago 2
Great speech.
326742 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I ain't going to the march now. Isn't it typical of a haterosexual to win gay contest. I had hope that the best speaker would win but once again I am disappointed. A inadequate haterosexual gets to speak for gay people because just like haterosexuals gay people believe heterosexuals are better. Yes, Sam got this speaking spot because he's heterosexual. Yet more anti-gay discrimination.
NOtoPROP8 2 years ago
I was voting for mario but seems that we whouldnt cry over spelt milk I look forward to hearing this young man speak.
depfox 2 years ago
Ok let's face it. First, to refer to them as haterosexuals is showing our own version of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance. As sad as it is, it seems that straight voices are the ones most heard in this. Granted they are present only to back up the resounding voice of the LGBT community. But when a voice from the majority speaks for the silent, voiceless minority, then our voice stands a chance at sounding less garbled and coming across more clear. I think he did well, so cut the boy some slack.
mb12530 2 years ago
I'm really sad to read this. Sam is not only fighting for gay rights, he is fighting for equality. The fact that you are not attending the march because someone STRAIGHT is speaking is just as bad as a gay man or women being discriminated against. It's people like you that he is fighting against. He has fought so much for EQUALITY, you should put more time into what he has done rather than worrying about his sexuality.
xjess202 2 years ago 3
not true, this kid went to my school, he got this speaking part because he is an awesome, committed and well rounded kid.
He'll do an awesome job so shutup and just be happy that gay people arent on their own, theres strait people fighting for them too.
Hippiechick1223 2 years ago
It wasn't anti-gay discrimination... I mean the guy had nearly an entire university voting for him.
madeyemikyas 2 years ago
My goodness man, are you out of your mind? How are we going to get anywhere without our friends and family and allies (the overwhelming majority are heterosexual)?? How are we better than the monsters on the right if we begin excluding straights like they exclude us? Look in the mirror friend. You're becoming the monster you want to fight. Haterosexual indeed, my god, wake up.
NorthWlf 2 years ago
bless you Sam. I was in a time and place that held no support for gay people.
manoftheprairie 2 years ago
lets go Sam !
you have my vote
rayykia 2 years ago
Sam belongs to the generation that will bring the necessary change.
ajb8u38to 2 years ago
sock it to m sam you're great
robintwebb 2 years ago
Way to go, Sam. You have my vote!
MrBobSDelray 2 years ago
Reminded me a little of Ted Kennedy. Good job. Thanks for all you do.
janonda42 2 years ago
Keep up the good work!
3GPalmSprings 2 years ago
We need more people like you, speaking out for real issues that make a difference. Keep on!
Folksongjonny 2 years ago
Double-check the Facebook link, it didn't work for me.
dondebar 2 years ago
Nice job, a chip off the old block, fighting for justice!
dondebar 2 years ago
Rated you a five, Sam. Good luck and I'll be spreading the word!
domismith611 2 years ago
Very eloquent and moving speech. We need more people like you fighting for civil rights.
gandalfpres 2 years ago
Nicely strident!
kd1s 2 years ago
Thank you so much for your impassioned speech for Equality! And thanks for being an awesome and outspoken Straight Ally! You will go somewhere! Keep up the good work. This is the Civil Rights battle of our day!
lzambeni1 2 years ago
Yeah, I love that he's a straight allies. Thank for putting yourself out there Sam. However, your delivery didn't really move me. It's like other stuff we've heard before. Good luck on your political career though. You might just have a niche there.
dkeodara 2 years ago
YAYY GOOD LUCK!!! I'm soo glad that people around the country (like you) are taking a stand against hate and discrimination against LGBTs. THANK YOU SO MUCH :DDD
on an unrelated note - you look and sound a ton like bobby flay. beeteedubs.
1nOnlyBeatlemaniac 2 years ago 2
I love you Sam. Call me <3
Matter212 2 years ago
It's like you said in the paper, if you walk into the room and change one person, even out of one hundred, you have succeeded in something.
log66666 2 years ago 3
Sam, very moved buddy. Even though i am a republic and neo conservative, i have to honestly say, that you do have a point, only one thing, the government doesn't define love, it defines marriage. You just might want to take that into consideration when you give your speech in washington! Oh, even though i am a republican, I have to say, your persuasiveness, changed my mind about gay marriage, and lesbian marriage. Go for it buddy.
log66666 2 years ago 6
your delivery makes a mockery of your message, it is almost comedic, props for putting it out there though
rd1999 2 years ago
I understand what you are saying, rd1999. We have sit through so many politicians delivering the right message with that same enthusiasm and zeal than turn out to be less than honest, it makes it difficult to believe. Thanks to SNL and MAD TV, as well, they have taught us the "politician speech" by over exaggeration....makes it hard to believe politicians that speak this way....even young ones.
yescandles 2 years ago
Excellent! Go for it.
EileenMacAveryKane 2 years ago
wtg, Sam! well said!
rascallyjosh 2 years ago
It's important that people know that he's straight. The fact that young people like him who are not directly affected by the issue of gay rights are fighting for LGBT equality shows that the LGBT rights movement is growing. It's very similar to the way that white people joined in on the struggle for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. Sam represents an important change that is needed for LGBT people to achieve full equality. I find him very inspiring.
lwoje 2 years ago 3
Rated ya a 5 and put a link on my facebook page. I live in DC, I hope you get to address the nation and I hope I get to see it!
garycarmody 2 years ago
i can't help but notice that he feels the need to affirm that he's straight. aren't we supposed to be working for a world where sexuality distinctions don't matter?
DollsPolyphony 2 years ago
Yes, he does mention that he's straight, but I don't think it's defensive, or a "not that there's anything wrong with that" type thing. It's how when MLK Jr. staged a march, he made sure to have blacks and whites in the front row. Committing to a cause when you don't stand to benefit personally is not only morally admirable, but damn effective activism.
gumbopie 2 years ago
Come on, considering the "political" delivery of his speech, it seems pretty obvious that he's interested in the reward this will yield.
Kudos to the cause, but for any young person today this is as obvious as joining the civil rights movement after Bill Cosby became America's Dad. There's still a little praise to be harvested from battle weary adults who are surprised to see a young straight ppl standing up for gay rights... at any school though, the equality questions gets a resounding "duh!"
crock703 2 years ago
Oh, I didn't say he wasn't ambitious, and yes the path has been well prepared for him by previous generations. Used to be that straights would only speak out for gay rights if it could be crystal clear that they themselves were not "that way." Otherwise they'd keep quiet. When Sam ID's himself as straight, I don't get that vibe from him at all. That was my point.
gumbopie 2 years ago
Oh, yeah agreed. He's mentions that he's straight not to protect himself, but to show that he isn't an obvious stakeholder. You were talking about it being morally admirable and effective to support a cause on principle, not reward, when there is little to immediately personally gain.. I thought you were identifying that with him.
crock703 2 years ago
He's says the right things.
I was harping to the battle-scarred older folks here, who get a little teary-eyed seeing a young kid speak like this, not realizing how obvious marriage equality is to young people who were raised in a culture that was shaped by THEIR efforts.
Relatedly, a lot of my parent's generation doesn't realize how easy it is for their young kids to "speak" (we studied speech & delivery at the foot of a television since we were babies.) Same w/ Obama (who I really like.)
crock703 2 years ago
good message but not a big fan of the way he talks. The words sound good but im not getting the message from his heart sounds rehearsed
depfox 2 years ago
Well....that's actually the way he talks! And it's all good....it DOES come from his heart....he's the brightest young person that I've met in a very long time. Wouldn't be surprised if he's President one day....actually I'm hoping for it! Keep on your path, Sam....never give up!
dred980 2 years ago
like a gay republican, except liberal...and one of the coolest kids i know. you go sam!
historyland 2 years ago