Reply #18: We can't afford to wait for homophobia to die off generationally

[zulchzulu]

Homophobia is not an dilemna just for older people. It's across generations. In order to stop it or educate people about why it's not good, you don't just ignore those that are homophobic. You engage in conversation with them. If need be, you even invite them to the table if only to expose them to their peers and/or others.

Does a doctor get rid of a disease by ignoring the patient and letting them face their demise? Does a teacher ignore a student that can't seem to learn a problem? Does a mother ignore a child that gets in trouble?

If you use the template that you don't engage with homophobes and try to teach them that it is a foolish way to live and think, then how do we ever make progress?

Do I "claim" that Obama is a "passionate pro equal rights advocate"? If by claim, do you think I am not looking at actual proof of his pro-LGBT stance on many issues by looking at his actual proven record? I look at his record and see that he is indeed committed to equal rights for all.

You mentioned Martin Luther King and how you thought he felt that no dialogue should be bestowed to homophobes. Actually, it is the opposite of that. King said in his so-called "I Have a Dream" speech:

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

Like Obama, King knew that the only way to get change is through dialogue and discussion. Anything else is guaranteed to fail.