Transgendered are part of our community also.

[William769]

bigotry, slams, outright hostility against transgendered people should be taken just as serious as if not more than the Gay/Bisexual/Lesbian community.

I have seen some things as of late that have really pissed me off and yes I am taking taking names and keeping notes. If you think I am being to sensitive on this subject, don't bother contacting me because I don't want to be associated with your ilk. I put myself out there for all of us not just a few. I am truly disgusted with some people here.

I should write more, but I'm to fucking pissed.

[xchrom]

1. That's why I like the 'alphabet'.

LGBTIQ - says so right there.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. My first day 'out' my community was me and my transgendered friend and it was that way

for some time. When I finally summoned the courage to come out to my best friend in High School, I stammered out 'I think I'm gay' and the response was not what I expected at all. "Gay? Is that all? I'm actually a woman." We are still good friends, oh so many years later.
And so from gay day one, transgendered people were my unquestioned sisters and brothers. To mess with them is to mess with me. They are part of our community and for me, for a time they WERE my community, or she was. I thank all powers for my friend, for the happiness she now has, for my own as well. There is no separation, we are one community.
That goes for the bi crowd to, you are also part and parcel, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We are The String of Letters. We are one.

[yardwork]

3. We just had a massive months' long flamewar started by a poster giving aid and comfort

to a transphobic troll. I believe that this raised consciousness among many DUers.

While the instigator is still with us, I see some movement toward better understanding. Education is key, imo.

[enlightenment]

4. Thank you.

Speaking for my son and myself.

Years ago, he had an absolutely horrible encounter with some of the 'leaders' of the gay community in San Francisco. They told him that he 'would never be a man' and would never be accepted by their community as one. He was still fairly young/new (not sure how to phrase it) in his identification as male and - because he had identified as lesbian/queer before he started his transition, he was especially devastated by their dismissal of his personhood.

He was just visiting during Pride Week and it hit out of the blue . . . I think. He was starting to become quite activist in the trans community in Portland, so maybe it was more political than personal. I don't know - but I do know that he was hurt by it and I was left feeling totally impotent and furious.

There is only so much we can do to protect our children and it is really frustrating when the community that you assume would be accepting and safe for them turns on them instead.

[William769]

5. Please give you child a hug from me.

Unfortunately the people I am pissed at right now are far more close to the LGBT community than one would expect, thats why I'm seeing red.

[enlightenment]

11. I understand what you're saying.

Thank you for the virtual hug for my kid - and please believe me when I say you all have my full support, encouragement, and admiration for putting up with so much ridiculous bigotry - particularly the virulent kind that comes from those who claim the badge of progressive.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. Please tell your son for me that some of the 'leaders' of the gay community in San Francisco

don't take kindly to many other gay men for lots of reasons. There is no such thing as good enough to join some of them. He might do well to read up on how 'some of those leaders in SF' treated Mr Milk. He had to go without their support for a long time. He was not 'A List' and he was not this, and he was not that.
So trying to meet the standard of those dowagers is a task out of hand. Non acceptance in their quarters often indicates a great future, personal strength and strong self knowledge. No one elected them. They do not speak for others.

[enlightenment]

12. I will tell him -

I'm sure he understands that they weren't speaking for everyone - I think he understood that then, but it was horribly hurtful for him (and obviously it pissed me off so much that I'm still irked - and it's been years since it happened).

"Othering" is such a fall-back position for us all - as humans. I told him as much then, trying to find some logic for such nonsense, and I think it really is true. We all need to have some 'other' to point to - to measure ourselves against and come out on top - to feel superior to in some way. I think maybe all animals do it; at least it seems so from watching my cats . . .

It's nasty, but it's natural. I guess.

I think my son has a bright future in front of him. He took awhile to settle (transitioning sort of interrupted his timeline) but he's back at uni, almost finished with his degree, and looking forward to working with LGBT youth (community development and youth work). He's pretty cool, my kid. I like him (I've always loved him - but I like him, too).

[Zorra]

7. Many of us here have struggled against bigots/haters almost every day of our lives.

Last edited Sun Apr 15, 2012, 02:45 PM - Edit history (2)

We are all struggling against bigotry and hate at this moment.

We're all in this together. L.G.B.T.

LGBT

Anyone in the overall LGBT community that is feeling/diplaying bigotry toward, and hatred of, another member/group included in our community because of differences in love/partner/sexual preference or gender orientation, etc, is not really any different than the straight haters that hate the entire LGBT community individually and collectively.

As a host serving our LGBT Group here, I will advocate for blocking (and tombstoning) any poster displaying hatred and bigotry toward any LGBT member/group within, or outside of, our LGBT Group, if their bigotry is manifested because of hatred of another LGBT person due a difference in sexual orientation or gender identity.

It's wrong, it is destructive, and it is totally counterproductive with respect to our collective goal of achieving equal rights, etc., and there is certainly no room for it here.

No one, no one, here needs to experience any more insane, disgusting hatred toward them than they have already experienced. No one here needs to be hurt anymore.

We really, really, really, need to stand with and by each other while we are closing this rights thing out, and after we close it out as well.

Thank you once again, William 769, for illustrating, and bringing forth for discussion, another important issue. It is a problem that really needs to be talked about and solved to the greatest degree possible.

[Morning Dew]

8. You're definitely not too sensitive on this, William.

That kind of bigotry is never acceptable.

rec.

[longship]

9. What is it going to take?

I shudder to think what might be in store for people if we don't all join together. Heterosexuals, gays, transgendered,... women, blacks, Hispanics, native Americans, immigrants, etc.

We are all the same family. The enemy would demonize us and attempt to divide us. But that is their mistake. We see through their ruse and it will be to their demise.

I hope, I pray, that we all see it this way.

[The Philosopher]

10. +1 for truth!

I have a feeling I missed some stuff, but there's always stuff to be seen, unfortunately.

And you're not alone in keeping account of things or being disgusted. A polite & veiled bigotry is still bigotry and it should be addressed.

[undergroundpanther]

13. I'm so there

I'm a transguy, bi/asexual,and I experience another orientation many people are bigoted & ignorant about..furry.I have a feline soul.

Here I am at the rally for Chrissy Lee Polis..with my Friends On the far left is a long time friend a trans-woman Roxy.Next to her is my friend Maggie,I'm holding the triangle shaped transgender sign.

[helas girl]

14. thank you

This transgendered, pansexual, polyamorous, furry lurker would like to say, Thank You Very Much! Some times it's the hate from within communities that were a part of that hurts the most. But, allies like you do make a different.

also undergroundpanther you just inspired a coming out
http://tk-blackthorn.blogspot.com/2012/04/comming-out.html

[William769]

15. Welcome to DU and don't be a stranger!

I am glad this thread made you feel good about yourself.

Bill

[Initech]

16. Me too. I've been alerting threads left and right for this kind of crap.

:nad: