So how do we educate our own (DUer's and other progressives)

[BR_Parkway]

about our issues? From the various Foley inspired reactions and comments here at DU lately, it's been painfully obvious that the ignorance, hatred and bigotry against LGBT isn't confined to the Repug/Freeper only. (not that I thought it was, but having it shoved in your face does wonders for making you look at things anew)

Anyhow, if we aren't doing a better job of bringing our message to those in our own camp, no wonder we don't make alot of in-roads with those on the other side. How do we talk to people better, how do we share our stories and become real enough to them that we change some attitudes?

I started to do a whiny, ranting post about all the homo=pediophilia, gay bashing jokes going on in every forum here since the Foley scandal broke. And then paused and thought again. In all adversity lies opportunity - so we've had it "thrust" upon us and "shoved down our throats" now - where do we go from here?

If we can be more readily accepted within our own community, then how will we ever achieve that in the broader community at large?

And many, many thanks to all of the straight DU'ers I've seen calling others on some of their shitty comments - I don't want anyone to think that your support has not been noticed or appreciated. And not trying to lump all everyone into the same categories here either, simply pointing out some of the issues

But obviously, we need to clean up our own house before we go out and clean the neighbors down the street.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Any effort to alert DUers about our issues inevitably results...

... in orders for us to shut up and pay attention to real issues like how wicked and evil are the Republicans and how the slightly less evil Democratic Party must be given our unquestioning and enthusiastic doublethought support. Until we can change that attitude, any effort to educate will be worthless.

[beyurslf]

2. I have only seen one homo=pedo post here and it was from someone with

fewer than 500 posts. And I never feel like I am told our issues aren't important and we should pay attention to real issues. I suppose there may be some on here who act like but I think the vast majority on this site are not represented by those views.

[hobbit709]

3. Gay doesn't bother me

A personal choice is exactly that-personal. What bothers me is that some people use whatever they have/are as a be-all for everything. Everyone has prejudices-it's the way we're wired I think-but some of us can occasionally put them aside. To me the squawking is in not facing the real issue, which is about rights for everyone. I believe that everyone-even the freepers-have the right to be what they are. What I don't like is a in-your-face attitude about anthing. Legal rights should be applied equally to all-gender, race, sexual orientation should have no bearing on that. Unfortunately most people cannot/will not rise above their prejudices to see that. I know(yes it's an old chestnut) lots of gay people, many are even in my close circle of friends. But gay has never been an issue with our relationships. My youngest brother is not only gay but Liberace-flaming gay. He's as much part of my family as my other brother.
The Foley thing in my opinion has nothing to do with gay even though some have tried to frame it that way. The real issue there is one of trust and Foley violated that trust. That's the point that should be harped on. It would have been just as despicable if he went after young girls.