Ryan, a devout Christian and homophobe from Michigan, is sent to live in San Francisco's Castro district amongst hundreds and hundreds of homosexuals. Ryan, like the others in his community, believes that homosexuality is a choice. His family explains that they're slightly worried about his new adventure. His father says that he doesn't want him to come home wearing pink shirts. "Dad... you used to wear pink shirts," one of the daughters points out. The dad opens his mouth to say something but can't think of anything. It's not a big deal though, Ryan thinks, as long as nobody touches him. Good luck with that, buddy.

 
Ed, his gay roommate and guide for the next thirty days, greets Ryan when he arrives in San Francisco and explains that the Castro is a predominately gay community -- in fact, the population is almost exclusively gay. Ed's apartment is comfortable but Ryan is a little taken aback by the large mural on the bathroom walls of a naked man. They soon go out exploring and Ryan is amazed by the number of gay people. "So... right now, I'm standing on the gayest place on earth?"

Ryan isn't sure he likes this because it's strange being the oddball, the outcast. Back home, he doesn't have any gay friends. He's against gay marriage and pro-Bush, believing that marriage is only between a man and a woman. During dinner with several of Ed's gay friends, this obviously becomes a topic for discussion. Also, is homosexuality a choice or not? Ryan believes it is but the gay men at the table say no. Why would anyone choose a life of discrimination and hurt? The men ask Ryan if he's ever had a beer can thrown at him. He says no. Well, that's the way that some people show their dislike for homosexuals, according to some of the gay men. Having things thrown at them and being chased without looking for trouble.

Ryan and Ed attend a Sunday service at a gat church, Metropolitan Community Church (complete with a pink and purple sign) led by Pastor Penny Nixon. Although Ryan is interested in what the church-goers had to say, he doesn't think his views will change. Well, what does the Bible really say about sexual orientation? Morgan Spurlock (creator) pops up to enlighten us. Although Jesus never says anything about it, Leviticus does: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is abomination." This is one of the most controversial pieces of the Bible.

To help kill some time during his stay at Castro, Ryan gets a job at AG Ferrari, a store specializing in wines and cheeses. Ed, over text messaging, asks Ryan about his job interview and then also throws in a lube joke. Ryan doesn't find it too amusing. Probably because he feels horribly outnumbered in this sort of community. As he searches through the small stores nearby, he finds "I Love my Penis" gum as well as a "I'm so gay, I poo rainbows" shirt. He misses his ladies.

Since more questions were brought up than answers on Sunday, Ryan meets with Penny Nixon to get some things clear. After a polite discussion, Nixon points out that Ryan seems to be picking and choosing what to believe from the Bible. If he believes that homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says so, shouldn't he also rip his eye out and cast it away whenever he looks at a woman lustfully? After all, that is what the Bible says. Ryan seems to be frustrated, unsure of what else to say. Ryan ends up taking home a copy of What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality.

Later, Ed takes Ryan to experience his first gay bar. It does not go well. Scantily clad male dancers and shirtless bartenders fill the scene. Mild flirtation from the other customers already makes Ryan uncomfortable and the touching crosses boundaries. Someone accuses him of not belonging and Ryan realizes that this is getting old fast and leaves. To make up for this night, Ed takes Ryan to play softball the next day, something he might enjoy a bit more. He meets the captain of a local gay softball team and surprised by the way it completely breaks the stereotype. The captain is big, buff, and speaks in a masculine voice. The day turns out fun -- probably because Ryan spent so much time laughing at how horrible Ed is at throwing.

On Day 15 (halfway there!), Ryan goes to Pastor Penny Nixon again to discuss the book that he borrowed. He felt that it just confirmed his beliefs more since the whole book just seemed to be a big "runaround". Both parties seem slightly frustrated by each other. Morgan Spurlock then takes some time to wander the streets asking strangers their opinions on homosexuality. He also speaks to a former civil rights activist who is anti-gay. He believes that it's okay to go out and let gays know that he doesn't like them. "You're going to hell, there's nothing you can do about it, but have a nice day." Wow. He then says that much of America hasn't been "cracking their Bibles" and that's why homosexuality is even an issue.

Ryan goes to meet Ed's family to get a better idea of Ed's past. Ed is the only gay person in his family. The rest of the family are like cowboys, donning stetsons and toting rifles. Seems like they like shooting things. Ryan is interested to know if Ed's family experienced any difficulty in accepting him. They explain that it's a sex life thing. You normally don't discuss that sort of thing with your family anyway, so it shouldn't affect their views. Ed's a good person and that's all that matters.

As Ryan nears the end of his journey, he's still partially confused by the Christian aspect of homosexuality so he goes back to talk to Pastor Nixon. Ryan says he sees homosexuals as sinful, just like murderers. She points out again that he seems to be picking and choosing what to believe. The Bible says to not kill but people do it anyway. Ryan admits that he would too if he were in a war situation. How can he make exceptions like that for killing but not homosexuality?

PFLAG is a support group for families of homosexuals. Ryan attends a meeting and gets to speak with a parent of a gay daughter. The father explains that when his daughter came out to him, he only felt scared because he knew there would be a future of discrimination ahead of her. He believes that his daughter deserves all the same dignity and privileges as her two straight brothers have. This seems to change Ryan's views a little.

After his first cheese and wine-tasting party, Ryan expresses his thanks to the community with a speech. He feels that he'll be leaving with a positive image of homosexuals and has become more open-minded in this experience as well as a better person. On Day 30, he leaves and gives Ed a hug goodbye. Michigan's going to be boring compared to this, he says. When he gets home, he is reminded of how close-minded he was. "What do they do for jobs?" his father asks. Ryan explains that they have the same jobs as everyone else does. He shows his family all the fun pictures he took and tells them that Castro also opens up City Hall for gay pride celebrations. The family is amazed. Ryan admits to making uninformed opinions back home and is glad to have had the experience.

This episode seemed a bit rushed but it was still good (well... it is thirty days in one hour... which explains the length of this entry... Geez). Next week's episode will be "Off the Grid", in which two fossil fuel-loving friends have to live off the basics, sans TV and all that modern "essential" stuff, for thirty days. Hmm, interesting.