'Grey's Anatomy' Taught Me Just How Important Gay Rights Are

'Grey's Anatomy' Taught Me Just How Important Gay Rights Are

This episode opened my eyes and heart.

Megan Crabb
Megan Crabb Jun 10, 2019
153
views

Attending a Catholic high school made it very clear in my mind that LGBTQ individuals did not fit in with society. I watched as our principle refused to allow students to invite their same-sex partners to dances. I remember our administration fighting against letting a boy on our dance team because they thought it would ruin the reputation of being a Catholic school. The way they were treated in front of me every day became the way I thought the world should treat them too. But I couldn't have been more wrong.

In season seven, episode 12 of "Grey's Anatomy," Meredith Grey encounters a patient who was trampled by horses after his partner set up a carriage ride to take them to sign their domestic partnership papers. His partner explains to Meredith that he had just wanted the day to be special because straight people get to have the most special day of their lives on their wedding day. They get the flowers, the ceremony, the reception, the gifts. At this point in time, all members of the LGBTQ got was their signature on a piece of paper.

I remember something inside of me being moved at the thought of someone simply being in love and not being able to celebrate it because people thought it was "weird" or "unnatural." I put myself in the reverse situation and thought about how much it would break my heart if society did not accept the fact that I want to marry my wonderful boyfriend some day. I cried during the scene in the show because even though it was acting, I could see just how important these two people were to each other and all of the unnecessary barriers they had to cross just to prove that their love was the same as anyone else's.

Maybe this moment was extremely late in my life to have the realization of how hard it must be for LGBTQ people to find happiness in our society, but I am glad I had that realization at all.

Certain religions crucify the LGBTQ community, saying they will go to hell for sexuality because it is a sin. Personally, I have a hard time believing that God could condemn anyone for showing another human being unconditional love.

It scares me how poisonous our society can be at times. 10 years ago, if you asked me how I felt about people in the LGBTQ community, I would probably (wrongfully) say that they freaked me out. These days, while you won't necessarily see me at a Pride parade, you will see me hyping up and supporting my awesome gay best friend to go after his crush. You will see me taking girls hitting on me as a compliment rather than something weird. You will see me openly supporting gay rights because it is the right things to do, human to human.

The saying "love is love" is so simple, yet so incredibly true.

I can't help how much I love my boyfriend and I would never in a million years expect someone to tell me to stop. Who are we to tell members of the LGBTQ community to stay in some box society and religion have built? We aren't. Love is love and you can never and will never be able to put rules and restrictions on a feeling.

Megan Crabb
Megan Crabb Jun 10, 2019
At University of Missouri

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36 Rules Of Life From 'NCIS's' Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Sometimes we all need a smack on the back of the head.
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Jul 26, 2017
66015
views

I have been watching "NCIS" since the show began back in 2003, and season 15 will be airing this September. It is one of the longest running series and for a good reason, even though a lot of your favorite characters die off in the show they somehow still keep it alive. Anyone who has watched an episode or more knows about the infamous Gibbs's rules. Here's the list that we can gather from the many episodes:

Rule 1: "Never let suspects stay together." - revealed in the Season 1 premiere episode, Yankee White (episode).

Rule 2: "Never screw over your partner." - revealed in the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode). McGee also stated this rule to Ned Dorneget in Need to Know (episode). McGee also mentioned to Abigail Borin in Ships in the Night (episode) that rule number one has been taken twice, showing that he knows that there are two number one rules.

Rule 3: "Always wear gloves at a crime scene." - revealed in "Yankee White."

Rule 4: "Don't believe what you're told. Double check." - again revealed in "Yankee White."

Rule 5: "Never be unreachable." - revealed in the Season 3 episode, Deception (episode) although Gibbs has been known to be intentionally unreachable. The rule was shown in Rule Fifty-One (episode) in the background when Gibbs opens the box.

Rule 6: "The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best." - revealed in the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode)

Rule 7: "You don't waste good." - revealed in the Season 8 episode, Baltimore (episode).

Rule 8: "Never say you're sorry. It's a sign of weakness." - This rule has been mentioned throughout the series, but it wasn't given a specific number until Flesh and Blood (episode). The rule is also a direct reference to John Wayne's catch phrase in "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" (John Ford, Director). Wayne said: "Never apologize, mister, it's a sign of weakness." to subordinates in a military situation. DiNozzo notes the connection in Hiatus Part 1 (episode). Mark Harmon's career has paralleled John Wayne's. They both were quarterback of their southern California college football team, both went into acting. (Harmon's father, Tom Harmon, was a Heisman Trophy-winner and actor & announcer as well.) Note: This is continuously told to Tony, Ziva and Tim through a smack to the back of their heads.

Rule 9: "Always be specific when you lie." - revealed in the Season 1 finale episode, Reveille (episode).

Rule 10: "Never take anything for granted." - revealed in the Season 3 episode, Probie (episode) although Gibbs also quotes it as being "Never assume" during the Season 9 episode, Rekindled (episode).

Rule 11: "Never go anywhere without a knife." - revealed in the Season 1 episode, One Shot, One Kill (episode)although it's sometimes quoted as "Never leave home without a knife" or "Always carry a knife."

Rule 12: "Never get personally involved in a case." - revealed in the Season 7 episode, Obsession (episode) and again referenced by the new SECNAV Clayton Jarvis in the Season 9 premiere episode, Nature of the Beast (episode) as the number one rule in Washington politics.

Rule 13: "When the job is done, walk away." - revealed in the Season 6 episode, Semper Fidelis (episode).

Rule 14: "Never date a co-worker." - revealed in the Season 1 episode, Enigma (episode).

Rule 15: "Never, ever involve lawyers." - revealed in "Collateral Damage." Rule 51 is written on the back of the card containing Rule 13 in "Rule Fifty-One."

Rule 16: "Bend the line, don't break it." - revealed in Anonymous was a Woman (episode).

Rule 17: "Always work as a team." - revealed in Leap of Faith (episode).

Rule 18: "If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it." - revealed in the Season 8 finale episode, Pyramid (episode).

Rule 19: "Never, ever interrupt Gibbs during an interrogation." - revealed in the Season 14 episode, Privileged Information (episode).

Rule 20: "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission." - revealed in Silver War (episode).

Rule 21: "Always look under." - revealed in The Artful Dodger (episode)

Rule 22: "Never ever bother Gibbs in interrogation." - revealed in Smoked (episode).

Rule 23: "Never mess with a Marine's coffee... if you want to live."- revealed during "Forced Entry."

Rule 24: "There are two ways to follow someone. First way, they never notice you. Second way, they only notice you." - Jack Knife (episode) and "Rule Fifty-One."

Rule 25: "When you need help, ask." - revealed during Blood Brothers (episode).

Rule 26: "Always watch the watchers." - revealed in "Baltimore."

Rule 27: "If you feel like you are being played, you probably are." - revealed in Nature of the Beast (episode).

Rule 28: "Your case, your lead." - revealed in Bounce (episode) placing Tony as temporarily in charge of the team, and also in Phoenix (episode) with Ducky as leader.

Rule 29: "There is no such thing as coincidence." - revealed in Obsession (episode) although DiNozzo states that Rule 39A is "There is no such thing as a small world" during Canary (episode).

Rule 30: "If it seems like someone is out to get you, they are." - revealed in Borderland (episode).

Rule 31: "Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker punched you." - revealed in Psych Out (episode).

Rule 32: "First things first, hide the women and children." - This rule number was mentioned in Patriot Down (episode) but was not stated until Rule Fifty-One (episode).

Rule 33: "Clean up the mess that you make." - revealed in "Rule Fifty-One" although it's also stated as "Never leave behind loose ends" in Hiatus Part 2 (episode).

Rule 34: "Sometimes you're wrong." - Created by Gibbs in Rule Fifty-One" by writing it on the back of the card containing Rule 13. It is unknown if his coworkers are aware of this rule.

Rule 35: "Always give people space when they get off an elevator." - revealed in Double Back (episode)

Rule 36: "Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man." - revealed in Devil's Triangle (episode).



While some seem to deal with Gibbs only there are some very great life lessons present. If you haven's started watching "NCIS" I suggest you start soon, it is all on Netflix.

"A slap to the face is an insult - a slap to the back of the head is a wake-up call." Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Cover Image Credit: CBS TV / Twitter
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Jul 26, 2017
At Eastern University

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22 Life Lessons We All Need To Hear, From The Doctor Himself

"Everybody lies."

Isabel Rejto
Isabel Rejto Jun 10, 2019
19
views

Dr. House graced our screens during eight-year run of "House M.D." From 2004 to 2012, we tuned in to see what unsolvable case Dr. House and his team had to solve each week. We laughed and cried along with the trials and tribulations of medical work, learned about diagnostic medicine, but most importantly, learned a number of life lessons from the doctor himself. He may have been crass, uncaring and blunt in his mannerisms, didn't know how to connect with people and didn't care what people thought of him, but in the end, he was a brilliant diagnostician. Beyond his faults, Dr. House was a man of intellect and bestowed his wisdom upon us.

Growing up, I watched the show religiously and even bought the DVDs. Since I don't own a DVD player anymore, Amazon Prime answered my calling to rewatch the series. Rewatching the show now in my 20s, I realize how much I learned from Dr. House beyond just medicine. Here are the 22 things the show taught me.

1. Everyone lies

Probably his most-used phrase, Dr. House had an inability to trust what his patients told him. He proved this to be true time and time again and is probably why I approach everything and everyone with a degree of skepticism.

2. You can't always get what you want

None of Dr. House's cases were typical and was why he was only able to solve one a week. With this in mind, he knows he won't always get the result he wants and he knows he will often be tested. Remembering to be flexible when life deals you a blow is the key ingredient to growing as a person and learning more about yourself and your capabilities.

3. But if you try sometimes, you get what you need

As mentioned before, things don't always go the way you want them to go, but finding a way to get what you want is a key step to overcoming a challenge. Thinking creatively will help us solve our problems.

4. Never give up

Dr. House never gave up on his patients until he had an answer, so you shouldn't give up no matter what life throws at you. It might be tough, but sticking it out until the end will bring a much-deserved award.

5. Friends will never leave your side

Those who are your true friends will always be there for you, no matter what the circumstance. Dr. Wilson stood by Dr. House no matter what he did not leave his side, especially when things took a turn for the worst.

6. Don't let anything stop you

No matter what challenge Dr. House faced, he never stopped trying to get his way. Don't let others stop you from doing what is best for you and your goals because you're the only one in charge of your life. Stick up for what you believe in and don't let anything or anyone stop you.

7. Follow your brain, not your heart

It's easy enough to blindly follow your heart and what it wants, but it's harder to follow the rational logic your brain wants you to follow.

8. Being optimistic isn't always the answer

But it does help in the long run.

9. Some things are better said out loud, no matter what

It's not always easy for us to be honest, but harboring grudges about someone's actions or harboring ill-will against something not going right won't help in the long run. Say what you feel because life is too short not to say what's on your mind.

10. It's the simple things in life that bring the most happiness

It's not important to surround yourself with more and more stuff if it can all be taken away and leave you desolate. Surround yourself with people and memories to last a lifetime.

11. Being passive aggressive is pointless

It's also a waste of time and energy.

12. Real connections are worth more than fleeting ones

It's funny how people care when they realize you're no longer going to be part of their life. Take the time to make build connections with people and your life will be all the richer for the effort you put into relationships and friendships.

13. Turn your weaknesses into strengths

Don't dwell on the weakness as a weakness, but find a way to turn it into something that will make you a better, stronger person.

14. Loyalty is the foundation of friendships

Just because you and your friends have different opinions, don't let them cloud your judgment of the person. Accept their opinions for what they are: opinions.

15. Brainstorming is the best way to find solutions

The only reason Dr. House and his team were able to solve cases: brainstorming.

16. Mistakes are inevitable

Learn and grow. Don't repeat your mistakes but keep learning and evolving. Be open to allowing yourself to fail and learn from these mistakes since it's the best teaching mechanism.

17. Remember to always have fun

Don't be serious all the time. Let go and have fun because, in the end, you'll look back on the exciting parts of life, not the mundane ones.

18. Normal is overrated

Be yourself in a world that doesn't want you to, and people will see you for who you are.

19. Trust has to be earned

Don't trust people outright because doing so will hurt you more than waiting for trust to be proven. Those who will be loyal and trust you will prove you can trust them, too. Remember that actions speak louder than words.

20. People get what they get, but it's not always what they deserve

Your actions dictate what you get out of life, but it may not always be what you deserve. Work and maintain focus on what's important and it will be what you get out of life.

21. Friends matter

Life is nothing without friends. They make your days better and less lonely so don't push them away because you won't know who to turn to when you need someone.

22. Everyone has secrets

Everyone has secrets and no one is willing to share them.

If you've never watched "House M.D." I highly encourage you to binge watch it, starting now! Sarcasm, dry humor, an ensemble of a great cast, need I say more? You'll thank me later.

Isabel Rejto
Isabel Rejto Jun 10, 2019
At DePaul University

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