(no subject)

[rm]

While there are a hundred reasons why straight people openly specifying that they are straight and also support the rights of GBLTQ people to marry their partners is a useful thing, think of the power of this:

Just saying that you support it. Without mentioning your own damn orientation.

Because I know it's not always or even often distancing when someone says, "I'm straight but I support gay rights," but trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, when I tell you that's what it can feel like from over here.

Just try saying it without qualification. Picture _that_ as an LJ meme. You know?

Comments

[newsbean.livejournal.com]

If only more people understood that saying something -ist (sex-, race-, etc.) doesn't make you one. Too many people are turned off when someone blows up at them for saying something they didn't even understand was wrong. I've seen it happen. And then they walk away feeling like, "Why even try? I'm just going to get it wrong."

Sigh. We just need more compassion. All around.

(I feel like that's mighty soapboxy, but I hope that since I'm agreeing with you that you'll let it go...)

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I get what you are saying, but I want to touch upon something you said..."Why even try? I'm just going to get it wrong."

That's why I spoke of the "freedom to be wrong."

In this arena, you NEED to give that to yourself.

As much as we need more compassion all around, we also need to be not afraid to screw up and be wrong. That freedom keeps passions low and it keeps our minds open.

And now I will shut up and stop taking over the thread.

Peace.

[newsbean.livejournal.com]

Oh, I completely agree! I just happen to think that in a more compassionate society, more people would feel like it was ok to be wrong. Sometimes it can feel like you're penalized so harshly for being wrong that you internalize that and refuse to ever admit to being wrong.

Just to be clear, I think we're in complete agreement here. I just wish more people would say what you're saying, "It's ok to be wrong." And I wish that they would say it kindly and compassionately to other people.