A third conclusion I would draw is that some pastors (not all) condone hate speech and violence against those with whom you disagree. Sometimes this is couched in or defended as simply preaching from the Bible, but Leisner’s comments can not be misconstrued as reading scripture. They are 100% cultural criticism.
While this battle isn’t really about us, here we are right in the middle of it, and truly fighting for our lives and for our equality, and we better keep fighting hard, even if it isn’t about us. But I think this distinction is crucial, because it means that even if the abuses against us are done with the intention of harming us personally, we don’t have to take it personally. For example, it isn’t about me, Thomas Waters. It is about some group of folks trying to force their rigid ideas upon everyone else. If I don’t take it personally, I don’t need to defend myself, and who I am. I don’t have to prove that I have a right to be. I can focus all my energy into fighting for Equality, because everyone deserves to be treated equally.
Not everyone will agree that we lost, and truly, there is no one refereeing who designates the winner and loser, but it is extremely easy to make a case that says we lost the battle over chicken. Right wing nut, Matt Barber, goes much farther, suggesting that our loss set the gay rights movement way back 20 years. I don’t think that is true, but I do believe what should have been a real positive[Read More…]
they kiss just like we do! Brotherhood!
This morning I came across an interesting opinion post which attempts to explain why Lady Gag’s song, “Born This Way” is a poor anthem for the LGBTQ community. Actually Alex Gabriel never defines who the anthem is bad for- he never articulates the community he is talking to or for. of sexuality as inborn erase those of us, like me, whose orientation isn’t simple, and it’s ultimately authorizing to see queer people as different by[Read More…]
The linked article is such an awesome read! Two small clips are here: When I tore open the envelope it took my breath away, much like seeing my reflection every morning — the growing pronouncement of my jaw, the square sideburns, the scruff on my cheek, the pecs and biceps ballooning steadily with each workout — I tear up sometimes, I’m so floored by the rightness of it all. I held my birth certificate, my[Read More…]
Now, we have this tug-of-war type struggle for or against a fast food business chain, and in that battle, I’m afraid the important stuff will get lost. So, here is what I find important to the issue:
I’ve been following the Chick-fil-A controversy this week, and wondering what I wanted to write about it. I feel as if I can’t determine what my real ‘story” is in relation to it.Most of what we see out there is a mixture of righteous indignation which is completely deserved, and bullying, which I’m not so sure about. That’s where I’ll get myself into trouble, so pretend I didn’t just say that last part. But then[Read More…]
The linked blog post is a wonderful post that talks about six common things ignorant Christians often say about gay people. By ignorant, I mean those who don’t really know much/ if anything about gay people. I believe the author wants to draw a distinction between this type of person, who speaks out of ignorance, and the real homophobes, who have the agenda to harm gay people by spewing hate, misinformation, and shame-based speech. The[Read More…]
I received this via email, and the story is at TPM Ryan J. Reilly July 23, 2012, 5:24 PM 300 The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has launched a formal investigation into whether Pennsylvania’s voter ID law discriminates against minorities, TPM has learned. In a letter to Pennsylvania officials on Monday, the Justice Department requested state data on registered voters as well as the state’s list of individuals with driver’s licenses and ID cards. Pennsylvania has said[Read More…]