While there’s still no word from MTV on the letter, the number of people who have contacted me in one way or another to show support has been incredible. I’ve gotten messages from close friends, complete strangers, men, women, teenagers, Lebanese, Jordanians, Syrians, Australians, young, old, gay, straight, and so on.
While I am still hoping that MTV will answer, or at least acknowledge, the letter, I have received 3 responses that really give me hope.
1. I got a phone a call from the (very macho) father of a close friend.
“Raja, I want to thank you very much for your letter. I didn’t even realize you were gay and I just realized I really don’t care. You’re the first gay person I meet, and you’re not half bad.”
The father didn’t know that his son is gay. The son came out to both his parents this weekend.
2. Two older members of my family, with whom I had never discussed my sexuality, contacted me. They were both surprised and very supportive. One of them wrote me this (in French. I translated it here):
“Growing up, I went through a period where I was questioning my sexuality. I soon realized I was indeed straight, and it was a great relief to me because I knew that my father would not accept it in any way shape or form if I was gay. I just want you to know, that if you need any kind of support, I’m here for you. I would hate for you to think that your family is against you.”
3. The heads (yes, the top management) of two other Lebanese TV stations have contacted me, thanking me for bringing an important topic up. They both admitted to being guilty of some bullying, and both said they would try to see how they can work on it. I am meeting with one of the TV stations soon to try and work together on changing the way things are done.
These are just a few of almost a hundred reactions that I’ve received. I am still trying to read through many of them, but I do want to thank everyone who helped spread this.
If you haven’t done so yet, please post the article (https://ohmyhappiness.com/2012/02/24/an-open-letter-to-mtv-lebanon/) to your Facebook or Tweet about it. The more people read it, the more likely MTV (and other TV stations) are to start changing their approach to these issues.
Thank you!
ohmyhappiness 
Yvonne
February 27, 2012
Bravo Raja
Sara
February 28, 2012
Seriously ? if you managed to do all that with one article than chapeau bas , i guess all the NGOs need to learn from you !! but i highly doubt it …. i you are seeking attention do not use our cause to promote yourself.
ohmyhappiness
February 28, 2012
Hey Sara!
Thanks for your comment.
I’m not sure what “all that” is to you.
The letter has, to some extent, gotten viral. It is getting tons of hits, and that’s a great thing. Surprisingly, I haven’t received a single negative comment, so that’s actually even better.
Now if you felt that the responses above were groundbreaking or exaggerated in one way or another, then we definitely don’t see eye to eye when it comes to “all that”. I think they just prove that we often think the worst of people, and when it comes down to it, they will surprise you. If I wanted to make up stories, they would certainly be a lot more fabulous than the above.
I apologize if you feel I am highjacking “your cause” for self-promotion. To me, it’s nobody’s cause, and if I am able to be openly vocal about things that bother me related to it, then why not. Isn’t that the point of a blog? For people to share their thoughts, stories, and ideas?
Regardless, I am determined to be as transparent as possible. I will keep on updating everyone on how things are developing concerning this issue. That’s why I’ll be posting MTV’s (promising) response ASAP.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. I actually do appreciate it.