Post by nl197 on Oct 16, 2010 3:24:52 GMT -5
We all know these are some very trying times, especially in the U.S. for the LGBT community.
I'm sure we all see the news at some point, and there's really no need to dwell on that but it has stirred up something I've wanted to tackle for a very long time, but didn't know if I should or not and for the first time I can actually seek advice on the subject.
Everyone knows what intolerance is like. Racial, religious, gender, financial class/status, and of course sexual intolerance. Regardless of whatever category you might fall under with regard to the kinds of prejudices you may have experienced at some point - some people might even fall under every category - it all boils down to the same basic lack of decency, lack of respect, and ultimately fear and hatred.
I don't have much to do in life at all, except supervise my mother and go for dog walks. I need something more, and for a long time I've thought about trying to do something - anything - to be a part of helping to put an end to this intolerance and hate thrown at the LGBT community. Out of every major issue the world faces today, none bother, no enrage me more than this.
So the advice I seek is, what can a guy in my position do? The only thing that came to mind was to try to get involved with PFLAG and either volunteer or do...something...that's just it - I don't know what to do. I just know I want to do something. I need some purpose in life beyond what I do, and I want to do good things. I'm frustrated and mad and excited and that's all the emotion I'll admit to.
I don't like labels. I wish we lived in a world where labels didn't exist but that's not the reality. I don't know if it ever will be and if the time comes when labels that classify and / or divide are gone, it probably won't be in our lifetime. That being said, it's with some irony that I need to use labels to say what I'm about to say, and why this means so much to me:
Because of all the hate in this world, because of all the people out there who are considered to be "different", and have to fight for what ultimately amounts to basic human decency and respect JUST to live life without feeling that sense of being different, I cannot for the life of me think of a group of people who are more brave, more self-aware, (yes, that's right, I went there) and have more courage than the LGBT community. I think it simply comes with the territory, that confidence and strength to just live. That's all. It's all about being able to just live. It sounds so simple and yet....well we all live in the world. We know.
So for me, I can't help but feel profound admiration and respect.
In short, I think they're the coolest group of people around. Had to use a collective "they're" there.
Time to wrap this up. I've said what I had to say, and I hope what I said made sense....sometimes I can't really tell, honestly. I seek some advice and I also hope that nothing I said will be misinterpreted, or cause any problems. I saw a homophobia thread that got derailed with some board-related homophobia which in a twisted sense made that thread come full circle and locked. This is not intended to be a debate, this is only intended to basically seek some advice on what I can potentially do, and it's my own way of singing a few praises.
I'm sure we all see the news at some point, and there's really no need to dwell on that but it has stirred up something I've wanted to tackle for a very long time, but didn't know if I should or not and for the first time I can actually seek advice on the subject.
Everyone knows what intolerance is like. Racial, religious, gender, financial class/status, and of course sexual intolerance. Regardless of whatever category you might fall under with regard to the kinds of prejudices you may have experienced at some point - some people might even fall under every category - it all boils down to the same basic lack of decency, lack of respect, and ultimately fear and hatred.
I don't have much to do in life at all, except supervise my mother and go for dog walks. I need something more, and for a long time I've thought about trying to do something - anything - to be a part of helping to put an end to this intolerance and hate thrown at the LGBT community. Out of every major issue the world faces today, none bother, no enrage me more than this.
So the advice I seek is, what can a guy in my position do? The only thing that came to mind was to try to get involved with PFLAG and either volunteer or do...something...that's just it - I don't know what to do. I just know I want to do something. I need some purpose in life beyond what I do, and I want to do good things. I'm frustrated and mad and excited and that's all the emotion I'll admit to.
I don't like labels. I wish we lived in a world where labels didn't exist but that's not the reality. I don't know if it ever will be and if the time comes when labels that classify and / or divide are gone, it probably won't be in our lifetime. That being said, it's with some irony that I need to use labels to say what I'm about to say, and why this means so much to me:
Because of all the hate in this world, because of all the people out there who are considered to be "different", and have to fight for what ultimately amounts to basic human decency and respect JUST to live life without feeling that sense of being different, I cannot for the life of me think of a group of people who are more brave, more self-aware, (yes, that's right, I went there) and have more courage than the LGBT community. I think it simply comes with the territory, that confidence and strength to just live. That's all. It's all about being able to just live. It sounds so simple and yet....well we all live in the world. We know.
So for me, I can't help but feel profound admiration and respect.
In short, I think they're the coolest group of people around. Had to use a collective "they're" there.
Time to wrap this up. I've said what I had to say, and I hope what I said made sense....sometimes I can't really tell, honestly. I seek some advice and I also hope that nothing I said will be misinterpreted, or cause any problems. I saw a homophobia thread that got derailed with some board-related homophobia which in a twisted sense made that thread come full circle and locked. This is not intended to be a debate, this is only intended to basically seek some advice on what I can potentially do, and it's my own way of singing a few praises.
