Andrew Sullivan shares comments from readers regarding bigotry and who is a bigot- a term he cares not to use, as it doesn’t lead to dialogue. I both agree with him, and disagree, and illustrate in this post why the term “bigot” can and should be applied and why to label some on the Far Religious Right.
I think more and more people are gathering their news and commentary in alternative ways like on Facebook and Twitter, and I think the average person needs to discern the difference between news and journalism from commentary and editorial. These efforts- gathering news in social Media and discerning content are often conflicting efforts, as social media is a space where commentary and editorial rule, and facts and journalism can be sparse.
The poll, conducted April 8-17, 2013 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, also found that the vast majority of small business owners already thought laws existed to protect gay and transgender people. In terms of federal law, a striking 84 percent of entrepreneurs thought it was illegal to make employment decisions based on one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In terms of state law, 78 percent of small business owners believed it was illegal to fire or refuse to hire someone because they are gay or transgender.
I am convinced that Gays and Lesbians will continue to fail to support Manning since his efforts appear as an attack on a Government and a President whom we (as a LGBT community) want to believe is on our side. We need so much from this President and this Government, and so much is hanging in the scales right now as we await the US Supreme Court decisions on same-sex marriage. How can we, as a group hope for affirmation from this very government which has been so wrong as illustrated in these leaks? That is a real conundrum.
Pittston has become the 31st municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance. The small city of about 8,000 is the first in Luzerne County and second in northeastern Pennsylvania to adopt this type of local law.
This wanton extravagance of lies and misinformation- that’s what allows this to be characterized as bigotry. It is an utter failure to see those who seek Marriage Equality as real people with a real interest, and is far more offensive than what we get from anti-gay groups like NOM. At least NOM acknowledges exactly what we want, even if they are fighting tooth and nail to stop us from achieving it.
In any cultural change where it is portrayed as one side has something crucial to lose, no possible progress can come to be if both sides don’t seek a “win” for themselves and a “loss” for the other. In this case, a win for both sides exists as well as the situation is primed for the BSA to accept gay leaders since this the currently policy is so illogical. To condemn the recent progress, dismisses the very hard work of many that got us this far, and sets an adversarial tone that can harm further cooperation and progress.
No matter where it is occurring- on Twitter, in the blogosphere, in verbal conversations or elsewhere. The solution to the intentional telling of lies and misinformation must be countered with the truth and dialogue. There is no room for simple name calling or dismissal. Rather, there must be a sharing of the truth. In the end, the truth will always win out if we seek to spread the truth. If you encounter a person like this, don’t just call them a name. Tell them what they have wrong ad counter it with truthful information.
But this demonstrates why the new policy is flawed and will not last. How is it that a boy of 16 or 17 who comes to understand that he is gay, can be welcomed and supported, but this very same person, is no longer welcome when he turns 18? The new policy opens opportunities for youth, but it is no more rational or logical than the old policy.
Boy Scouts of America Ends Controversial Ban on Gay Scouts; Out Pennsylvania Eagle Scouts Respond HARRISBURG– The Boy Scouts of America voted today, May 23, to end their controversial policy banning openly gay scouts from the organization. The new resolution reads, “No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.” Over 60% of the 1,400 delegates in the National Council’s voted to remove the[Read More…]