When you're GLBT, your life is your activism, your life is your protest

[LostinVA]

Your life is your time on the barricades. Anything else you choose to do in addition to living your life honestly is heroic. Especially if you live in certain areas of this country. here are so many who don't get this.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. Seriously, since I'm now out in Freepoffice

[kenny blankenship]

2. I didn't get it (confession time)

I get it now though.

[LostinVA]

3. I understand not getting it

I didn't "get" Transgendered folk, until I read Jenny Boylan's book,"She's Not Here" a few years ago. There's not getting it, and not WANTING to get it.

I've always liked your name, because of MXC!

[Critters2]

7. I sort of got it, but still left with some questions, a couple of years ago.

I was at a meeting dealing with religious issues in animal rights. Seated next to me was a transgendered person, and I found myself distracted and uncomfortable. I realized I had never spent much time around a transgendered person, and was keenly aware of my discomfort.

But once I admitted my feelings of ill-ease, I also felt embarrassed, even ashamed for feeling this way. What I most realized, though, was that my discomfort didn't cause me to have to be unkind to this woman. I didn't feel animosity or antipathy. And I knew that the unpleasant feelings were completely mine--not the result of anything she did.

I made a point of being kind, of getting to know her, in order to see her as a person and not as whatever my issue was. I was left perplexed about those who feel the need to be unkind, to limit the rights of others they are uncomfortable with, or don't understand.

So, it was a learning experience for me, and a stretching moment. I think it's safe to say I stretched, and I'm glad. I'm a better person for it. But it left me that much more confused about the Rick Warrens of the world.

[JohnnyLib2]

4. I've seen that sad truth begin as early as age 11--

in the kid's family/church, etc. Sadly true.

K & R

[give-me-liberty]

5. hey LostinVA your post moved me... to great depths

i've worked to put an openly lesbian legislator in the Georgia congress

I've run my own campaign as the first lesbian running for WA state legislature.

i am both moved and inspired by your post.

my life is my activism.

as a lesbian in rural king county washington state, I am on stage
I go to events with my girlfriend as if nothing is different.

you would be surprised how many folks we have moved to our side by just being ourselves.

truth is the great liberator.

LostInVA,

in a very short timeframe, we will have all our rights, but we will have to fight for it.

i for one am up for the fight...

[LostinVA]

6. YOUR post is the moving one

:pals:

[Bluebear]

8. Welcome to DU/GLBT!

[give-me-liberty]

10. thanks bluebear hugs

hugs !! ** mwa ***

[Downtown Hound]

9. I'd like to say that I understand LostinVA

But the truth is, that as a straight man, I know that I never fully can. All I can do is try and empathize to the best of my ability, and tell you that I don't think you should ever shut up and get over it about your rights.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. And, that's what we need from our straight allies

:hug:

[mitchtv]

12. I got it years ago

After being attacked and thrown in jail at a gay rights demo in '69?

[RetiredTrotskyite]

13. Yep, That Ought to Do It....

As for the comment above on not "Getting" it and not WANTING to get it--damned straight!

[bluedawg12]

14. Thank you!

We have been together for 22 years as a committed couple.

We have lived together for over 20 years in this red State and overwhelmingly straight community.

People know who we are, we contribute to the benefit of our community, we are well liked and respected.

Our lives together are our message - that is our "outreach." Most get it,some don't.

Yes there is bigotry and I can sense some people still give us a thin smile, or barely talk to us after all of these years - I don't care about them. They are unreachable.

I don't know what brought this thread on, but I am grateful you said it, I bet there are others out there who give witness by living their lives, daily.

[xchrom]

15. recommend -- because you just made quentin crisp smile. nt

[bluedawg12]

16. xchrom - you rock! You made bludawg smile, heh heh.

[LostinVA]

17. And that is an iconic smile -- thanks!

[Skittles]

18. you know I got your back, LostinVA

just seeing a group of folk denied civil rights SHOULD deeply offend everyone