'You Are a Complete Human Being'

Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist who championed Christian faith and free speech. At 31 years old, his life was cut short on September 10th, 2025 when he was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University. I never knew him, but I've been deeply moved by what's happened.

It's not my intent to do a deep dive into politics, but I want write a few things that have been weighing on me since his passing. It breaks my heart that someone can be killed for sharing their beliefs. And perhaps what's more disturbing is the celebration of it by others. My heart aches for his family.

I never spent much time engaging with his content. But since his passing, I've watched a few of his videos. I tend to agree with some his views. But I mostly admire his courage to speak his mind. He was unapologetic in his convictions. And he did not shy away from sharing his political views nor his faith.

One video I came across resonated with me. It's a one-minute clip of Charlie Kirk engaging with a college student. The student asks for advice as a gay conservative. And Charlie offers an uncommonly wise response:

Student: 'I'm a gay conservative and I just wanna kind of ask you like, what do you have to say for people like me who kind of feel like, I guess, it's kind of hard for gay conservatives cause there's not a lot of us. So like, what do you have to say to other gay people who need to realize like, they do have a choice?'

Charlie Kirk: 'Yeah, first of all, welcome to the conservative movement. I don't think you should introduce yourself just based on your sexual attractions...'

Student: 'No, I agree'

Charlie Kirk: 'because that's not who you are...'

Student: 'I like to be thought of as a person'

Charlie Kirk: 'For sure, you are a complete human being, and I'm sure you treat people well, and you're studying something. So I want to get away with this idea that you're gay anything. I just think that we have gone a long way in the negative direction in this country, where we act as if the most important part of your identity is what you do in the bedroom. It doesn't mean that much to me, but, if you asked from a perspective as a Christian, I don't agree with that lifestyle but politics is about addition and multiplication. I imagine you agree with a lot of what we talk about.

Student: 'Absolutely'

Charlie Kirk: 'Right? Strong borders, strong country, and for that, you know, we welcome you into the conservative movement.'

What's striking to me is that Charlie focuses on the individual, not his orientation. He rightly suggests that sexual orientation is just one part of his experience – one that he need not overidentify with. In doing so, he suggests that the student is more than his sexual attractions.

I very much agree with Charlie's position here.

If we take it a little bit further, we might recognize a subtle danger in labels. The problem is, these labels, while meant to describe our experience, can end up defining it. And in my estimation, it's those very labels that can prevent change.

I wrote a bit about this recently:

Don’t Call Me Gay

A case against labels.

The Art of Being StraightThe Art of Being Straight

Whether he knew it or not, Charlie Kirk touched on something important: our attractions don't define us. And when we overidentify with our attractions, it becomes that much harder to move past them. This is especially true for those that struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction.

It saddens me that his voice has been silenced. His views in many ways are like my views. It scares me that he was killed for sharing them. But I'm inspired by his example. And I have a renewed desire to speak up, even if it's through a small anonymous newsletter.

With his passing, there seems to be a change in the winds. Do you feel it too?