Secretly In Love [Completed]

Chapter 11

They were to be married in August.
Ariel and Isabella made plans to get married on November 22nd of 2018. Their friends would stop at nothing to make their wedding perfect, even if it was an illegal wedding. They were willing to do anything. Over the course of the next few months, Isabella and Ariel planned out their wedding with the help of their friends, who also in the mean time kept the protests going. Greedman kept changing things here and there, but nothing could prepare them for what was coming that October....

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"As of right now, orphanages will no longer be taking any gay or transgender children into their homes. In fact, congress has helped me pass a new federal law- any orphanage that takes in gay or transgender children can face three punishments, heavy fines of up to $250,000, prison, up to 5 years or have their establishment terminated where children will be forced to live on the streets."

"Films that dare show lesbian or gay scenes will be taken out of local cinemas- we don't need to expose our kids to that kind of stuff. I'm also putting in place a law that states any producer or company that creates a film with lesbians, gays or transgender characters or scenes, can face up to 20 years in jail, a $500,000,000 fine, permanent closure of their company and the film burned and removed from store shelves. Even the shortest scene of activity can lead to any of these persecutions."

"I have a formal letter that I would like to address towards the group up in Mississippi.
(Unfolds crumpled letter and clears his throat.)
To whoever it may concern at Hands For Love, this is President John Greedman. I would like to make you aware that the new anti-gay orphange act I put in place does not affect your "facility", as you also hold meetings for the LGTB community. However, I would like you to know, that I know who you are and that I will take legal action if need be. If any of you get the bright idea to propose to one another or plan on hosting a wedding, I will find the whereabouts of your "ordeal" and will formally take legal action. If you have anymore protests, I will shut them down. I am very sick of you and your community trying to make me change the laws. Well, guess what? I won't. I'm telling you right now, if you try again, you will fail. Sincerely, John E. Greedman."

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"Is it all set up?" Ariel asked, watching as Isabella set up her professional video camera. The teenagers and the others stood. They were getting ready to film a response video for the president. Isabella kept adjusting the camera, until she finally gave a thumbs up. Ariel sat down on the stool that sat in the middle of the white backdrop they set up. Isabella held up three fingers and counted from three to one and hit record. The red light turned on, as the video started. Ariel knew exactly what she was going to say.
"Dear John Greedman, sure, you know who we are. But do you really? You see, every child that we take in at Hands For Love is one of a kind. They aren't here because there's something wrong with them. So what, if they're gay, lesbians or transgender. See, people like blowing things out of proportion when it comes to people like us. We're not dumb, we're well aware of the world around us. It's just we love the same gender. What's the harm?"
The actual video that they made included snip its of each person's "interview". Here are all of the snipit's and who they are from.
"Everyday. Every single day, people like us have to hide in our homes, in fear of the torment that's waiting for us. But, for those who are brave, remove that fear and step outside and put their beliefs before discrimination. They know what they believe in and they aren't afraid to show it." -Fred
"I bet you some of your colleagues are gay, transgender or something you hate. Did you ever take that into consideration? No? Well, then I can't really say much. The people you relentlessly taunt, and hurt and hate upon are no different than you or me. They may have a different sexuality or gender, but who cares? It's just one thing. So why go off and make them feel bad about it?" -Ziggy
"I can't blame you. It's strange and a bit abnormal. But I thought American society was all about adapting to change and difference. I thought American society felt that people should be free. They should be allowed to be who they want. But, now with you here, that motto has been washed down the drain. Ripped from the American flag we once made. Burned from the Parliament we once wrote. Snatched from the hands of Americans. I just have one question for you, Mr. President, if I can even call you that: What have you done to American society?" -Emily
"We weren't pulling your leg for change. We were shouting to you, crying for you to make a change. And all you do is turn away from us. Why? Why did you turn us away? What harm could it possibly do to your already ruined reputation? All we want is to feel equal. Not feel any less different than the people around us." -Banda
"We question you in a calm manner. We will not be violent unless we absolutely have to. So far, you're on the safe side. We haven't seen any reason to become violent. You aren't listening to us. So we're gonna keep shouting at you until you look at us and listen! Open your ears and listen to the American people calling your name. What kind of president turns away his own people? Not any president I've ever seen." -Ariel
"You could care less about the people you really should be caring about. All of the presidents before you have left some sort of legacy. What will yours be? The president who is a homophobe? The president who killed innocent Americans because they were gay? The worst president in history? Think about it." -Dean
"Hate to break it to you, but we are not going to go away just because you hate us. It's weird. I know. It's different. I know. Is it wrong? No. Is it "evil"? Of course not. You can do everything you can to try and keep us down, but there is nothing you can do. We're going to keep fighting back until a change is made. And if you don't change, then we'll keep fighting." -Paige

"We aren't trying to call you out on anything, necessarily. All we want is to show you that we don't want to live in a hateful society, where innocent people are hurt because of their sexuality. It's wrong. It's disgusting. It's unfair." -Mina
"We are Hands For Love." -Alice
"Don't take this as a threat." -Miriam
"Don't see us as a threat." - Greg
"Don't look at us as a problem." -Mina
"Don't think of us as a parasite." -Isabella
"All we want." -Emily
"Is change." -Sid
"All we want." -Mina
"Is peace." -Banda
"All we want." -Dean
"Is equality." -Fred
"As president..." -Ariel
"Can you give it to us?" -Isabella

All they could do now was wait.

Their message was broadcasted on thousands of social media outlets and shown in commercials on almost every channel. All they could do was hope Greedman would see it and take note of it.

He didn't.

They were out of options. They couldn't take it anymore.