"In my 19 years", WOW! I never would have guessed this well spoken and amazing young man was only 19 at the time. His mother's did an INCREDIBLE job of raising him. And here we are, six years later, Mr. Wahls is running for Iowa state legislature! This is how progress is made. This is how positive change happens. Kudos to Mr. Wahls and all he's accomplished and to his loving family who raised such a strong man. We support you, sir!!
I'm going to ignore the homophobes who will forever remain ignorant and in denial. This speech was amazing! I definitely would be proud to have him as my son and I'm very proud of his parents :')
We are going to Forever ignore the heterophobe who pin their Scarlet letters on us because we don't agree with their alternate lifestyle we have a choice just like you have a choice and we don't have to agree. And we don't have to become another branch of a marginalized group just because we don't agree with your alternative lifestyle. We are not going to wear your Scarlet Letter and don't sick you're gay Mafia on us because we don't agree with you.
This still is one of the best speeches that i've ever heared and i listen to it regularly. Not because of the topic, even though that is important in and of itself, but because of the pure talent of this speaker. Amazing.
agree his ability to publically speak and get his intentions accross is phenominal. He makes you want to keep listening and was very fluid moving from one topic to the next, making eye contact with everyone in the room as his eyes went back and forth. I would be extremely proud to have a son like him!
I absolutely love scrolling down the comments from various points throughout the years stating he began an internship in the local govt, then got elected, and is now the minority leader?! What a journey already!
Wow! This speech was straight to the point. Zach captured the attention of the audience. It was Awesome! Only you can define who you are. Well done Zach!
damn... I just want to say you make public speaking look like a walk in a park...and lol idk how you're speech alone wouldn't be able to convince the rest of the world. I applaud your awesomeness.
I used to listen to music while doing homework. Now I listen to this speech on replay every single night as I do my homework. This video will never get the number of likes or views that it deserves. Amazing speech! Period.
another update- In june 2018 He won the Democratic primary for District 37 senate seat. Iowans please make sure you dont let him down in upcoming Nov elections.
Just came back to rewatch this after sometime... One of my favorite viral moments, to be sure. Thank you, Zach. At 19, you displayed eloquence beyond your years. I knew back then that your life would be interesting and inspiring to witness. Thank you
I'm a straight female who was raised by heterosexual parents, but I have nothing but deep respect for Zach Wahls. Thanks for speaking out on your experiences and showing that there truly is nothing wrong with your family! One day, I hope that we all can pursue our own meaning of happiness. Thanks again for making a stand like this; it means a lot to me and others out there, I'm sure.
@@Montrosesister12 my apologies. I wasn’t being considerate or smart when I made this comment. I’m embarrassed by it now, particularly since it was 10 years ago and I was super deep in the closet back then. So to answer your question, I think I was trying to tell myself I was a “straight woman” as much as I was telling you all that in this RUclips comments section. In short, it was stupid and I apologize for what was said.
Hell yeah, he just won the Iowa primary! His opponent is a libertarian, and definitely a long shot. I just rewatched this video after learning of this news today, and I'm bawling all over again.
I know this happened years ago, but I just love this speech. It the first time I have seen it surprisingly. I know of Dr. Terry Wahls, this young man's mother. She is a blessing to humanity. A Doctor that is making such a HUGE DIFFERENCE for so many people. My life has been personally affected and made better because of her and I have never even met her... The fact that she is a lesbian is just a bonus! and that she has raised such accomplished children that are a contribution to society even more so. CELEBRATE LOVE, not hate and discrimination.
learned about this through my speech class and by God this is a powerful speech. I understand he was elected to state senate? He should run for President or something someday - he's a great speaker and sure to convince a lot of people
He's so inspiring. I'm straight, but I'm all for equal rights. Love is love. He's amazing. I can't stop crying. I wish the best for his family. I'm going to keep this guy in my prayers, my heart & my thoughts everyday.
You make everyone proud, Zach Wahls. Amazing young man. Your eloquence, compassion, intelligence are all gifts you're using to better this country. Thanks!
He is SO well spoken and clearly educated. I very much enjoyed listening to his testimony. He explained everything perfectly and moved from one subject to the next very fluidly. Nice job.
You can find videos of Zach's mother Dr. Terry Wahls here on youtube. Her work has changed my life. I'm sure his other mother is just as amazing, but not in the spotlight.
Watching this as part of my Social Work Policy advocacy class, and wow, what an inspiring young man. Love his advocacy for equal rights, his mothers should be soooooo proud.
You people are such blinded imps. A child's manners and actions are founded by his parent's devotion and own well-being (medical conditions, etc.), not by their orientation. And NO study can ever deny that.
To all you who are against gays raising kids because a child needs a mom and dad because of "Thats how the FABRIC OF SOCIETY WAS BUILT" . I have one thing to say to you. Are you single and do you have kids. If you said yes then YOU ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST YOURSELF
I must say that I am puzzled at the dogmatic comments from Christians. I am a Christian and I fully support people's right to do what they want with their life. A majority of Jesus’ teaching dealt with loving each other and NOT judging each other. In fact, homosexuals like everyone else must deal with God as they see fit. They don't have to deal with me or any other religious person. Their life is between them and God. They are responsible for their lives not me. God judges we don't. It's none of my business. In the Gospels Jesus made NO comments whatsoever about homosexuality. This has forced homophobes to go to Old Testament Law to support their opposition, The trouble with this is that old testament law demands a stoning death for hundreds of infractions including the following from the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 22: if a women is married but found not to be a virgin she must be killed, if a man is found sleeping with another man's wife both must be killed, if a women is an adulteress she must be killed. The lists go on and on in the Book of Numbers as well. If we had to live by the law of the Old Testament we would all have to be stoned to death. If you're going to claim the Old Covenant Law as your justification for judging homosexuals you must be fair. You cannot simply select the laws you want, you must take them all. Thank God Jesus saved us from the Law. Follow what Jesus said is his greatest commandment, "Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself". Don't worry about other people. You've got enough to do taking care of your own faults.
Jay M So true. Murdering everyone around me and eventually myself for the sake of righteousness does not sound fun. Thank you Jesus, and good on you sir, for posting this honest comment.
Ahh the ole I only read the verses and believe the parts I want to believe. It does not say to not judge. The bible says and I quote, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." This does not mean not to judge. By speaking the truth of the lord, we are in fact judging others with those words. However, what it does mean is, if you do judge, if you do spread the lords work, do not be a hypocrite. I couldn't care less about gay marriage, because I can separate my Christianity and my country. However, don't go spewing the bible and acting as if you have a clue to what you are speaking about, because you don't.
Makes me proud as a U of Iowa Alumni, A Mother, and A Human Being. I believe you would make any parent proud. I applaud you for speaking out and making yourself heard in such a respectful way. Whether people agree with you or not, you utilized the thing that makes our nation so great, democracy, where we the people CAN speak to our elected officials and weigh in on decision making processes. Very impressive.You will make this world a better place and your moms did an awesome job!
Zach Wahls is an example that gay marriage can raise kids with values. The mold of the nuclear family that religious people and government have told us isn't the perfect union to raise kids!
I'm catholic and I'm gay. Though, if God himself won't accept me because of that, then why would anyone want such a biased person be god? He's supposed to love everyone equally and be very forgiving... Wouldn't sending gay people to hell for no other reason other than that they are gay son trading that view of him? Think hard.
For all of you people out there that have some kind of religious conviction with a christian bend to it about being gay, Jesus and the bible make hundreds of commands and references about loving your neighbor and those that are unlike you, and letting go of judgements as you may be judged. Homosexuality shows up very little in the bible and it was in an entirely different context then. Not that homosexuals didn't exist. It had more to do with power dynamics and slave ownership that it did with two people loving each other. Besides all that, we live now, 2 thousand years + later. We do not live in a time with the same circumstances. Some might say we have evolved. I'm not quite sure about that.
Cut to: 2018... the doubters and homophobes now owe Mr Wahls an apology and congratulations for winning a state senate seat in Iowa... with 78% of the votes. #progress
There are so many things about this video that I love that make me keep reviewing it. One of them is the guy in the sweater listening behind Mr. Wahls. I don't know if he's related, or if he's just a fellow rights supporter, but the look of approval and satisfaction that he has at the end of the speech just speaks perfectly. "NAILED it!"
Speechless! Keep showing up and may the courts decide not to dictate who you can love or is lovable. Thank you for showing up! Good jobs MOM's for raising a son who is willing to speak up! 🥰
Nice language. Your church & family must be very proud of you..What is my "way of life?"..No I'm not, It just amazes me that in the 21st century there are still people like you.
I salut you for your courage and fight for equal right for all regardless of sex orientation. I admire you...you will be the next best leader in this nation ,your views is not far from Pres. Lincoln..Thank you
You have to respect his ability to give a speech. Nowadays, a speech is nothing but a guy reading off a piece of paper. This guy spoke right from his heart. Good for him.
I don't cry easly but this made me cry because this speech comes from his heart, life experiences and his love to his parents. Love doesn't need a gender.
This engineer is proud of you, Zach Wahls. Our profession needs well-spoken, articulate moral leaders who can lead. I'm afraid, however, that engineering may lose you to the greater society - and if that happens, I shall be very happy, too. Bless you, Zach. Slay the world with intelligence and wit.
It made me more open minded and accepting to everyone. It made me supportive of equality. You can have your own opinion, I've gotten over the fact that people have problems with my family but if anyone came and sat down at dinner with my family you would see nothing wrong with the way we behave.
"In my 19 years", WOW! I never would have guessed this well spoken and amazing young man was only 19 at the time. His mother's did an INCREDIBLE job of raising him. And here we are, six years later, Mr. Wahls is running for Iowa state legislature! This is how progress is made. This is how positive change happens. Kudos to Mr. Wahls and all he's accomplished and to his loving family who raised such a strong man. We support you, sir!!
He won 💯💯💯💯💯
He wins!
@ninjarawr21 Care to offer evidence for your claim?
Honestly, this is how Iowan kids talk because that state had great public school education.
Today he became the minority leader of the Iowa State Senate.
He was elected to the Iowa State Senate tonight.
If this was my son I'd be the proudest momma on the planet.
I'm going to ignore the homophobes who will forever remain ignorant and in denial.
This speech was amazing! I definitely would be proud to have him as my son and I'm very proud of his parents :')
He's running for Iowa State Senate. I bet he wins.
He won.
We are going to Forever ignore the heterophobe who pin their Scarlet letters on us because we don't agree with their alternate lifestyle we have a choice just like you have a choice and we don't have to agree.
And we don't have to become another branch of a marginalized group just because we don't agree with your alternative lifestyle.
We are not going to wear your Scarlet Letter and don't sick you're gay Mafia on us because we don't agree with you.
LOL, wow it took over 5 years for a homophobe to get triggered? That's a RUclips first. Thanks for participating ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 🏳🌈
@@MsTriteseariaCammy LMAO, heterophobe? 😵💫
July 4, 2014: Zach's position as a White House Intern is announced. Thank you Zach! Our nation needs people like you.
This still is one of the best speeches that i've ever heared and i listen to it regularly. Not because of the topic, even though that is important in and of itself, but because of the pure talent of this speaker. Amazing.
agree his ability to publically speak and get his intentions accross is phenominal. He makes you want to keep listening and was very fluid moving from one topic to the next, making eye contact with everyone in the room as his eyes went back and forth. I would be extremely proud to have a son like him!
I absolutely love scrolling down the comments from various points throughout the years stating he began an internship in the local govt, then got elected, and is now the minority leader?! What a journey already!
Wow! This speech was straight to the point. Zach captured the attention of the audience. It was Awesome! Only you can define who you are. Well done Zach!
damn... I just want to say you make public speaking look like a walk in a park...and lol idk how you're speech alone wouldn't be able to convince the rest of the world. I applaud your awesomeness.
I used to listen to music while doing homework. Now I listen to this speech on replay every single night as I do my homework.
This video will never get the number of likes or views that it deserves.
Amazing speech! Period.
your homework must be very easy
Dec 2017 update This boy is running for a seat in Iowa 2018 state elections!!
He better be elected
Hey hey, have I got a surprise for you!
Let's go boys and girls!
That is awesome! I hope he wins!!!
another update-
In june 2018 He won the Democratic primary for District 37 senate seat. Iowans please make sure you dont let him down in upcoming Nov elections.
He did it!
His moms should be so proud!
Just came back to rewatch this after sometime... One of my favorite viral moments, to be sure. Thank you, Zach. At 19, you displayed eloquence beyond your years. I knew back then that your life would be interesting and inspiring to witness. Thank you
Wonderful speech, wonderful human being!
I'm a straight female who was raised by heterosexual parents, but I have nothing but deep respect for Zach Wahls. Thanks for speaking out on your experiences and showing that there truly is nothing wrong with your family! One day, I hope that we all can pursue our own meaning of happiness. Thanks again for making a stand like this; it means a lot to me and others out there, I'm sure.
Why did you feel it necessary to tell us that you're a straight woman raised by straight parents? You could have just as easily said " I am an ally"
@@Montrosesister12 my apologies. I wasn’t being considerate or smart when I made this comment. I’m embarrassed by it now, particularly since it was 10 years ago and I was super deep in the closet back then.
So to answer your question, I think I was trying to tell myself I was a “straight woman” as much as I was telling you all that in this RUclips comments section.
In short, it was stupid and I apologize for what was said.
Well done.....So important to hear and to listen to him....His speech is full of wisdom.
Well spoken! Beautiful! You make your moms so proud of you.
Respect! A smart lad who has some very important words for America in this day and age - rock on, Zach!
Hell yeah, he just won the Iowa primary! His opponent is a libertarian, and definitely a long shot. I just rewatched this video after learning of this news today, and I'm bawling all over again.
I would definitely vote for you as president
It's not about what sex raises a child, but who raises him/her. If parents aren't really ready, there will be issues no matter what. My opinion.
Amazing delivery from a 19 year old
Bravo bravo !!! That speech was amazing !
I know this happened years ago, but I just love this speech. It the first time I have seen it surprisingly. I know of Dr. Terry Wahls, this young man's mother. She is a blessing to humanity. A Doctor that is making such a HUGE DIFFERENCE for so many people. My life has been personally affected and made better because of her and I have never even met her... The fact that she is a lesbian is just a bonus! and that she has raised such accomplished children that are a contribution to society even more so. CELEBRATE LOVE, not hate and discrimination.
I saw Zach Wahls speak in Nixa. He was amazing and had so much insight to place upon us
Amazing speech! Very true. You have a wonderful character to you Mr. Zach Whal
WOW!!!! Fantastic presentation. Thanks Mr. Zach Wahls.
My left ear enjoed this
learned about this through my speech class and by God this is a powerful speech. I understand he was elected to state senate? He should run for President or something someday - he's a great speaker and sure to convince a lot of people
I would be proud to call you my son! Great job Zach! Moms, you did an amazing job with your son!!
Wow! watching this for the first time! Speechless.
As a fellow Eagle Scout, I say bravo good sir.
That was incredibly moving.. it's so amazing to see people taking a stand for equality.
He's so inspiring. I'm straight, but I'm all for equal rights. Love is love. He's amazing. I can't stop crying. I wish the best for his family. I'm going to keep this guy in my prayers, my heart & my thoughts everyday.
You make everyone proud, Zach Wahls. Amazing young man. Your eloquence, compassion, intelligence are all gifts you're using to better this country. Thanks!
Nice to see real Americans speaking out. Much respect!!
He WON a senate seat. Congratulations!
What a beautiful boy, he looks so much like his mother. ❤
Man, I can NEVER forget this speech. It really impacted me, and that's when you know the speech was a great one. Well done Zach. Well done.
His parents worked hard to raise him the way they did. He's awesome.
Absolutely incredible story!!
there are not enough thumbs up buttons in the world!!!
Amen to that !! :-)))
He is SO well spoken and clearly educated. I very much enjoyed listening to his testimony. He explained everything perfectly and moved from one subject to the next very fluidly. Nice job.
You can find videos of Zach's mother Dr. Terry Wahls here on youtube. Her work has changed my life. I'm sure his other mother is just as amazing, but not in the spotlight.
He's amazing
He won the primary! Maybe he really can make a difference in government.
Watching this as part of my Social Work Policy advocacy class, and wow, what an inspiring young man. Love his advocacy for equal rights, his mothers should be soooooo proud.
Perversion.
@@patrickdixon7202 Stop projecting.
And he won! BOOYAH
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! He went OFF!
You people are such blinded imps. A child's manners and actions are founded by his parent's devotion and own well-being (medical conditions, etc.), not by their orientation. And NO study can ever deny that.
So the lesbians women raising the daughter had no effect on the daughter that's not in the spot light being a lesbian when it obviously did.
Still one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard anyone give.
This is amazing
Beautiful!
To all you who are against gays raising kids because a child needs a mom and dad because of "Thats how the FABRIC OF SOCIETY WAS BUILT" . I have one thing to say to you. Are you single and do you have kids. If you said yes then YOU ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST YOURSELF
This young man has wowed me. How someone so young can be so well put together. I'm 40 and I don't think I'm that well spoken. Well done.
I must say that I am puzzled at the dogmatic comments from Christians. I am a Christian and I fully support people's right to do what they want with their life. A majority of Jesus’ teaching dealt with loving each other and NOT judging each other. In fact, homosexuals like everyone else must deal with God as they see fit. They don't have to deal with me or any other religious person. Their life is between them and God. They are responsible for their lives not me. God judges we don't. It's none of my business. In the Gospels Jesus made NO comments whatsoever about homosexuality. This has forced homophobes to go to Old Testament Law to support their opposition, The trouble with this is that old testament law demands a stoning death for hundreds of infractions including the following from the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 22: if a women is married but found not to be a virgin she must be killed, if a man is found sleeping with another man's wife both must be killed, if a women is an adulteress she must be killed. The lists go on and on in the Book of Numbers as well. If we had to live by the law of the Old Testament we would all have to be stoned to death. If you're going to claim the Old Covenant Law as your justification for judging homosexuals you must be fair. You cannot simply select the laws you want, you must take them all. Thank God Jesus saved us from the Law. Follow what Jesus said is his greatest commandment, "Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself". Don't worry about other people. You've got enough to do taking care of your own faults.
Jay M So true. Murdering everyone around me and eventually myself for the sake of righteousness does not sound fun. Thank you Jesus, and good on you sir, for posting this honest comment.
Ahh the ole I only read the verses and believe the parts I want to believe. It does not say to not judge. The bible says and I quote, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." This does not mean not to judge. By speaking the truth of the lord, we are in fact judging others with those words. However, what it does mean is, if you do judge, if you do spread the lords work, do not be a hypocrite. I couldn't care less about gay marriage, because I can separate my Christianity and my country. However, don't go spewing the bible and acting as if you have a clue to what you are speaking about, because you don't.
Right on! Zach
That guy have the speech skill to go to Ted
Damn he's good!
Makes me proud as a U of Iowa Alumni, A Mother, and A
Human Being. I believe you would make any parent proud. I applaud you for speaking out and making yourself heard in such a respectful way. Whether people agree with you or not, you utilized the thing that makes our nation so great, democracy, where we the people CAN speak to our elected officials and weigh in on decision making processes. Very impressive.You will make this world a better place and your moms did an awesome job!
EQUALIZE THAT SHIT AND PUT IT INTO MONO INSTEAD OF STEREO.
had the same problem
Zach Wahls is an example that gay marriage can raise kids with values. The mold of the nuclear family that religious people and government have told us isn't the perfect union to raise kids!
Lies.
@@patrickdixon7202 Wow, what a compelling argument.
I'm catholic and I'm gay. Though, if God himself won't accept me because of that, then why would anyone want such a biased person be god? He's supposed to love everyone equally and be very forgiving... Wouldn't sending gay people to hell for no other reason other than that they are gay son trading that view of him? Think hard.
Congratulations on winning! Good luck keeping Iowa on the road to greatness. We just need someone like you here in Alabama.
That you do!
For all of you people out there that have some kind of religious conviction with a christian bend to it about being gay, Jesus and the bible make hundreds of commands and references about loving your neighbor and those that are unlike you, and letting go of judgements as you may be judged. Homosexuality shows up very little in the bible and it was in an entirely different context then. Not that homosexuals didn't exist. It had more to do with power dynamics and slave ownership that it did with two people loving each other. Besides all that, we live now, 2 thousand years + later. We do not live in a time with the same circumstances. Some might say we have evolved. I'm not quite sure about that.
Mariah Drogitis This if perfect. This is what I have been trying to tell people for years. Thank you.
Cut to: 2018... the doubters and homophobes now owe Mr Wahls an apology and congratulations for winning a state senate seat in Iowa... with 78% of the votes. #progress
Thank you internet! I had never heard such sense in my life as I have in this independent unbiased means of communication and sharing.
There are so many things about this video that I love that make me keep reviewing it. One of them is the guy in the sweater listening behind Mr. Wahls. I don't know if he's related, or if he's just a fellow rights supporter, but the look of approval and satisfaction that he has at the end of the speech just speaks perfectly. "NAILED it!"
Speechless! Keep showing up and may the courts decide not to dictate who you can love or is lovable. Thank you for showing up! Good jobs MOM's for raising a son who is willing to speak up! 🥰
I love this video so much. Zach seems like such a great guy, and I have so much appreciation for him.
Based Gigachad Zach Wahls, crushing the haters with unassailable facts and logic.
Zach, you are brilliant. Keep fighting the good fight. You and your mums are very inspiring.
Take care.
Irina
Moves me to tears every time I hear this speech. You go Zach! I wish you and your family the very best.
I love how powerfully, intelligently and how frankly he spoke about every popular rebuttal the opposition usually musters . Well done zach
Still so proud! Amazing!
Nice language. Your church & family must be very proud of you..What is my "way of life?"..No I'm not, It just amazes me that in the 21st century there are still people like you.
Excellent speech. Thank's for speaking out on behalf of all for equality.
What a fantastic speaker. HIs mother should be proud. What counts is love and compassion. All people are capable of great things. Stop the hatred.
This video is soooo great!!!! I applaud you for such a powerful and convincing speech.
I salut you for your courage and fight for equal right for all regardless of sex orientation. I admire you...you will be the next best leader in this nation ,your views is not far from Pres. Lincoln..Thank you
This guy deserves a medal! Thank you Zach.
Thanks for coming to speak to Texas A&M tonight! Your speech was incredible.
WOW! That guy is awesome. Such a great face to have on this topic, I can't wait to read his book.
You have to respect his ability to give a speech. Nowadays, a speech is nothing but a guy reading off a piece of paper. This guy spoke right from his heart. Good for him.
I am not going to enter the battle. I am a Christian and God Bless this young man and his family. Love is love.
I don't cry easly but this made me cry because this speech comes from his heart, life experiences and his love to his parents. Love doesn't need a gender.
Go Zach.. such guts to speak up like this .. WONDERFUL !!!
This engineer is proud of you, Zach Wahls. Our profession needs well-spoken, articulate moral leaders who can lead. I'm afraid, however, that engineering may lose you to the greater society - and if that happens, I shall be very happy, too. Bless you, Zach. Slay the world with intelligence and wit.
Ok, Thanks I will look out for it.
Great speech, a wonderfully positive example of a human being.
Go Iowans! We love you Zach thanks for making us all proud!
Keep the fight up Zach and all the others out there fighting the fight from repression and hypocrisy.. both for human and animal rights...
that was phenomenal! Excellent excellent job!
He won as state senator! The future is bright ❤️🏳️🌈
It made me more open minded and accepting to everyone. It made me supportive of equality. You can have your own opinion, I've gotten over the fact that people have problems with my family but if anyone came and sat down at dinner with my family you would see nothing wrong with the way we behave.
Congratulations Zachary Wahls mother and mother! You've made a very impressive young man there
Wow-- impressive! Well spoken young man and makes a very valid point!
It was wonderful seeing him get elected to the Iowa Senate.
We met Zach in Ca last month!! What a GREAT young man!!!
This young man is an incredible role-model and I strongly believe he will go on to do great things.