History is happening

[la_belle_laide]

History is going to be made in NY this week. And this amazing speaker says it all:

I can't even say it any better.

The only thing I feel like I need to add is my own amazement that this is still even an issue. Why do LGBT people have to fight for equality? Why does this even need to be said? It boggles me.

Having said that, I have to admit that I do know some people who are against equal rights for LGBT folks. It bothers me that they feel like that, because they reflect some selfish and fearful views--and often proudly. I actually know some people who think this is funny, or frivolous, or wrong. And I just don't get it.

So what I want to say to those people is this: the world is changing. Too slowly for my tastes, yeah. But I'm still happy when it does change. So I think the decision is yours whether you want to change with it, or whether you want to be left behind. Then, you'll be one of those hateful relics, with people more accepting feeling ashamed of you, having to make excuses for your insensitive behavior, feeling embarrassed when you speak up with your outdated and hurtful views.

And years down the road, when LGBT rights are as natural as they should be, you're going to be remembered as one of the ones who fought against something so self-evident that people will shake their heads and go, "Really? Gays weren't allowed to marry? And So-and-so agreed?" Kind of like those ancestors we're ashamed of now, the ones who spoke out against interracial marriages and such 30 or so years ago.

That goes for all of these politicians, too. I mean really, do you want to go down in history as that kind of bigot? Because it is going to change whether you want it to or not, and time is going to tell on you all.

Thankfully, I address a very tiny group of people in my circle, and unfortunately, I don't personally address any politicians because, well, who am I that they'd listen to me?

I guess I just can't believe that these people don't see it, how shameful a legacy they're going to leave. I still hear so much homophobia in day-to-day interactions.

Those people are just going to get left behind, you know?

This actually goes for any and all of the issues that need addressing. To those of you who still say hateful, hurtful, or just plain idiotic things about minorities and women, as well. Even if you do it because you think you're being funny.

Comments

[malenka-zeut.livejournal.com]

Can't add a thing after that. I too have been utterly astounded that this is actually an issue that time and money are wasted on talking about anymore. Kind of like abortion. Why are we talking about people's private lives. Like you said though, change is coming, and the sad bigoted relics can just sit and molder.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

Yeah, exactly! By this time, why can't people just leave other people the hell alone? People are going to get left far behind on this one. I'll be sort of glad to know it pisses them off, too.

[spotts1701.livejournal.com]

I think my dad said it best - people resist change. Regardless of whether the change is for the better or for the worse, people don't like it because it disrupts their norms. They want tomorrow to be the same as today which was the same as yesterday.

And really, in the sum of things is this really going to hurt them? Is their marriage somehow now worth "less" because of it? If so, then the problem is their marriage.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

I guess I can see that, but I'm not sure what, in the lives of people it doesn't affect, it's going to change. Like, how are they even going to notice it?

I also don't think that people in general resist change. Apparently at least half of us are pushing for it. Seems split almost down the middle.