With Apologies to Dr. Seuss

I am Kevin

I am Sam
Sam I am

That Sam-I-am
That Sam-I-am!
I do not like
that Sam-I-am

Do you like
boobies and gam

Letters to the Editor

A few "Letters to the Editor" I have written...

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us?

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us? How are we as followers of Christ supposed to interact with the marginalized that make us uncomfortable? How can our lives be a living example of His good news?

The Testimony -- Oct 11, 2015

On a warm March day in 1988, there I was, a young 22-year old adventurer, standing alone on a sidewalk under the San Diego sun waiting for a bus. The Navy had just terminated my short career in the military by giving me an honorable discharge, and two intimidating military police unceremoniously escorted me off the base. Riding the bus to the airport as a rebranded civilian, I was ruminating and wondering who I was, where I was from, where I was going. A new chapter was starting in a journey, which began on a small-grains farm in North Dakota.

God is Still in Control

Same-sex attractions and love have been throughout the course of world history. Today, we have become a religion worshiping scripture heralding the exclamation of "But the Bible says, or does not say..." as the primary modus operandi in which to judge someone different than us.

Rambling Journal Entry #150406

Rambling Journal Entry #150406: I think there might a point or a question to this lengthy rambling, hope you can find it.

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402: May I come clean, come out, and let you know the truth of the matter, the truth of my psyche? If not, please pass on, for the poop is about to get real and raw.

The resounding toll of silence

The resounding toll of silence slices deeper than a double-edge sword...

SENATE BILL 2279 House Human Services Testimony

HOUSE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015
SENATE BILL 2279: Relating to prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
Chairman Robin Weisz, Vice Chairman Curt Hofstad, Human Services Committee members and fellow citizens of North Dakota, Greetings. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my story this morning.
My name is Kevin R. Tengesdal, a native of North Dakota now living in Bismarck.

Rambling Rumination #150308:

So, Jesus met a woman. Even asked for a drink from her. Yes. A woman. Even more scandalous was that she was a Samaritan and he was a Jew.

How I Remain Passionate

Published on Feb 18, 2015

Join us as we talk to Jason Martozke, CHS Counselor, about supporting LGBTQ youth and his upcoming ND Counselors Association conference. We also talk with Rep. Joshua Boschee about SB2279 (which passed the Senate!) and why it's important to LGBTQ North Dakotans and their families, friends, and allies. Then we close the show with our series called Strength Through Stories. This episode features Kevin R. Tengesdal of Bismarck with "How I Remain Passionate."

The OUTLoud Podcast - Season 1, Episode 1

From the podcast, here is the text for the remarks that I shared:

SENATE BILL 2279 Testimony

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015

SENATE BILL 2279: Relating to prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

Chairman David Hogue, Vice Chairman Kelly M. Armstrong, Members of the Committee, and fellow citizens of North Dakota, Good Morning.

Is being GAY a CHOICE?

My response after viewing this video:  I know my story is not unique. When I was growing up in rural North Dakota in the '70s and '80s,

Live Free

To every person who has lived a life suppressing your own same-sex attractions for fear of retributions from family, from society, from religion, from politics, STOP suppressing and start living.

North Dakota: Legendary Among States

BISMARCK TRIBUNE – North Dakotans are more satisfied than other Americans when it comes to their state’s economy, schools and overall standard of living, but the love affair fades on the subject of whether the state is a good place for racial minorities, immigrants and gay and lesbian people, according to a new poll.

The Gallup poll released Monday was conducted from June to December of last year. It involved phone interviews with about 600 randomly sampled adults in every state.

Five Days of Self Appreciation

Mary Mitchell tagged me in a reflective exercise "Three things I Like About Myself, for Five Days." I am to tag three others each day to join along, if they wish.

Day One of Five, Monday:

humbled and tumbled

hidden and timid

taunted and haunted

community

community

the addled boy upon the corner

Gratitude -- Seven Day Challenge

From Sunday, 27 July 2014 to Saturday, 02 August 2014...

Day 1 of 7: Challenge yourself to be grateful for three things, for seven days, and invite three friends to join you.

Late Night Ramble #140226

It has been brought to my attention again that it is upsetting with all the LGBTQ stuff on my page: