An Open Letter To Jason Christensen
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To Jason Christensen

From someone he would call a "sinner."

43
An Open Letter To Jason Christensen
Augustus Crosby

Jason Christensen,

I'm not going to be angry with this letter, just simply honest. You need to be accountable for your actions. I assume maybe you thought blocking me on Facebook would solve the problem, but oh sir I already had the screenshots.

A year ago yesterday, I was in Utah. A year ago yesterday, I took a whole bottle of over-the-counter medicine and tried to kill myself. A year ago yesterday, I found myself with the worst stomach pain ever. A year ago today, my body fought for life and won.

This is to say that yes, I lived in Utah. In fact, I lived in Senate District 16, the district you're running for. It's also to say that a youth suicide hits a tender spot in my heart. But this wasn't just any youth suicide in your state. This is someone from MY community. He was part of the LGBT community who also have a Mormon background. I am transgender and I finally accepted this for myself after my suicide attempt and started my transition. It's a small community, but it's a niche where I have found acceptance and pure love.

When you replied to a comment on my friends post, of which names have been erased, I couldn't believe it at first. I suppose I was appalled that someone would write such an unwarranted comment on anyone's post, let alone write it on a post announcing a suicide and linking his obituary. That's just heartless.



Yet, you want to be in a position of leadership. I hope you realize that there's a real epidemic in Utah, and no I'm not talking about pornography, I'm talking about real issues, like youth feeling there is no better option than suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death in ages 10-17 and 18-24 in Utah, and the rate in ages 10-17 has tripled since 2007.

If you have the thought process that it is their fault and that they are sinners and "murders," do you really expect me to believe you're going to do anything to help the problem? Victim blaming and name calling is not solving the problem, it's making it worse.

I also don't understand why you assumed he committed "sins of homosexuality." Being gay doesn't mean you've had sex. It simply means you are attracted to the same gender. I'm not about to get into a theological debate with you, but are you assuming thoughts about the same gender are sins? Because I've always been told that actions are what actually count.

I'm not about to link your sad vertical video I found on YouTube announcing your candidacy, but in regards to the gun fashioned to your waist, is that a scare tactic, a sadistic way of letting the public you mean business, or do you have an alliterative motive for buying the gun? If the thought has ever crossed your mind, are you not now, with your logic, a murder too? If we're talking about this in the context of your involvement in the LDS Church, which you said you belonged to, the church has sided with me on this one.

Lastly, I cannot believe you made it political:


If the people of Utah somehow vote against the incumbent, Curtis Bramble, in favor of you, I will firstly be very disappointed with that district, but also now plead with you to open up your eyes and realize that there are people that are hurting. Please realize that YOU are intolerant when you write these things. Please go into politics with the mindset of wanting to help others, and not just yourself.


In Solidarity,

Augustus Crosby

P.S. I would love a reply and I just got a twitter, feel free to tweet me your response.



Any use of the photos without written permission or linking to this article is prohibited.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

67189
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

43288
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

968070
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments