I suppose the one nice thing about not being a "public" blog (ie. haven't told family or friends yet) is that I can write about what I'd like to write about now, and not feel as though I'm going to have the wrath of their angry judgement come down on me. I will eventually make this blog public, and I hope said family members (note. most of my family is the bomb) will read this, and see that their archaic way of thinking is getting them no where.
Now to properly begin this post.
* * *
Are you straight and proud?
Do you wake up every morning, ready to face the challenges of the day, and wonder what kind of harassment you may or may not receive today? Do you generally have to deal with the glances at you and your partner as you walk by holding hands, filled with judgement and confusion? No? Oh... Wait.
That's because you need to check your privilege.
I've recently had two family members post the picture "Straight and Proud" on Facebook, with the following being the text of said picture, next to two stick people, one a man, and one a woman : "Funny thing is...I've seen others post this and they are attacked viciously. Apparently it is now intolerant and bigoted to be straight and proud in this upside down, politically correct society we live in. I invite everyone who is straight, and unashamed to post this to their wall."
...
..........
(Just what we need, an ego driven straight army)
Tell me again, what have been your struggles as a straight, (and white) individual through out all your life been? Right, none.
As a straight individual, I know that my two family members have never been discriminated against for their choice of intimate partner, ever. My GAY sister on the other hand, has. Simply because she has had feelings for someone of the same sex. That's it. That's her crime. And she is part of a community that has endured centuries of countless tortures and harassment's simply because they differ from societies so called "norm." They are not the status-quo, and you, my straight and apparently proud Aunt and Uncle (different sides of the family. Aunt would never degrade my sister for her life, but clearly doesn't see her misstep in this picture) are part of this status-quo. You live a privileged life, never having to take extra precautions while walking alone in fear of being beat up at a bus stop for who you love. (Note: I have a friend who happens to be gay that was brutally beat up at a bus stop because of his being gay). You've never had to defend your right to be with the person you love to the world, because people who don't agree with you can literally make laws legalizing control over who you choose to marry. Because that's fair.
Let me just tell you exactly why the LGBT community has gay pride month, and why they are proud of being gay. Because they live in a world that is still struggling to allow equality in the simplest form. Because they have been fighting FOREVER to have the equality us straights get simply by liking the people the government and church deem are correct to like. They are gay and proud because in saying such a statement, they are showing the messed up society that we live in that it will take a lot more than just a law to get in between them and their right to love. As my wise sister once said #loveislove. It's as simple as that, and as a straight individual, you have always been able to express that love. As a gay individual, they have not. There is a difference, and you should know that.
There is nothing wrong with being straight. At all. If we were to sit here and start berating on people for being heterosexual, we would once again be taking steps backwards. It's never about degrading a certain person, it is about bringing awareness to a situation that clearly is still needing help.
Daily, I am reminded that the world that I see as ever changing, still needs a lot of our help. All it takes is opening our eyes and our hearts to the ones around us. It's not intolerant, nor is it bigoted to be straight, but when you make a comment about feeling as though you are DEGRADED upon because of your lifestyle, that is a bull-faced lie. Heterosexuals have not had the same fight as homosexuals have, and if you have any historical knowledge, you should know that.
If I can bring anything to these people in my life that post such images, it would be that I hope one day you will see that post of yours, and feel a little flush of colour in your cheeks at your embarrassment for being so ignorant. I love you both, very much, but I do not agree with what you have posted. I am straight, and I love my husband, but, by no means, am I proud of what straight individuals have done to the many gay individuals of the world. My sister is not hurting anyone in loving who she loves, but many will hurt her in telling her that she is wrong.
Just remember where you came from, and just how easy it has been for you to love. #Gaypride is completely different from your straight pride, as it hasn't taken a battle for you to express such pride.
#loveislove and I love you all.
PEACE.
Now to properly begin this post.
* * *
Are you straight and proud?
Do you wake up every morning, ready to face the challenges of the day, and wonder what kind of harassment you may or may not receive today? Do you generally have to deal with the glances at you and your partner as you walk by holding hands, filled with judgement and confusion? No? Oh... Wait.
That's because you need to check your privilege.
I've recently had two family members post the picture "Straight and Proud" on Facebook, with the following being the text of said picture, next to two stick people, one a man, and one a woman : "Funny thing is...I've seen others post this and they are attacked viciously. Apparently it is now intolerant and bigoted to be straight and proud in this upside down, politically correct society we live in. I invite everyone who is straight, and unashamed to post this to their wall."
...
..........
(Just what we need, an ego driven straight army)
Tell me again, what have been your struggles as a straight, (and white) individual through out all your life been? Right, none.
As a straight individual, I know that my two family members have never been discriminated against for their choice of intimate partner, ever. My GAY sister on the other hand, has. Simply because she has had feelings for someone of the same sex. That's it. That's her crime. And she is part of a community that has endured centuries of countless tortures and harassment's simply because they differ from societies so called "norm." They are not the status-quo, and you, my straight and apparently proud Aunt and Uncle (different sides of the family. Aunt would never degrade my sister for her life, but clearly doesn't see her misstep in this picture) are part of this status-quo. You live a privileged life, never having to take extra precautions while walking alone in fear of being beat up at a bus stop for who you love. (Note: I have a friend who happens to be gay that was brutally beat up at a bus stop because of his being gay). You've never had to defend your right to be with the person you love to the world, because people who don't agree with you can literally make laws legalizing control over who you choose to marry. Because that's fair.
Let me just tell you exactly why the LGBT community has gay pride month, and why they are proud of being gay. Because they live in a world that is still struggling to allow equality in the simplest form. Because they have been fighting FOREVER to have the equality us straights get simply by liking the people the government and church deem are correct to like. They are gay and proud because in saying such a statement, they are showing the messed up society that we live in that it will take a lot more than just a law to get in between them and their right to love. As my wise sister once said #loveislove. It's as simple as that, and as a straight individual, you have always been able to express that love. As a gay individual, they have not. There is a difference, and you should know that.
There is nothing wrong with being straight. At all. If we were to sit here and start berating on people for being heterosexual, we would once again be taking steps backwards. It's never about degrading a certain person, it is about bringing awareness to a situation that clearly is still needing help.
Daily, I am reminded that the world that I see as ever changing, still needs a lot of our help. All it takes is opening our eyes and our hearts to the ones around us. It's not intolerant, nor is it bigoted to be straight, but when you make a comment about feeling as though you are DEGRADED upon because of your lifestyle, that is a bull-faced lie. Heterosexuals have not had the same fight as homosexuals have, and if you have any historical knowledge, you should know that.
If I can bring anything to these people in my life that post such images, it would be that I hope one day you will see that post of yours, and feel a little flush of colour in your cheeks at your embarrassment for being so ignorant. I love you both, very much, but I do not agree with what you have posted. I am straight, and I love my husband, but, by no means, am I proud of what straight individuals have done to the many gay individuals of the world. My sister is not hurting anyone in loving who she loves, but many will hurt her in telling her that she is wrong.
Just remember where you came from, and just how easy it has been for you to love. #Gaypride is completely different from your straight pride, as it hasn't taken a battle for you to express such pride.
#loveislove and I love you all.
PEACE.
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