News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on March 19, 2009, 10:28:10 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Allies Aren't 'Homophobes' or 'Transphobes' For Telling The Truth
Post by: Shana A on March 19, 2009, 10:28:10 PM
Post by: Shana A on March 19, 2009, 10:28:10 PM
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Allies Aren't 'Homophobes' or 'Transphobes' For Telling The Truth
Posted by Monica Roberts at 6:36 PM
http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/03/allies-arent-homophobes-or-transphobes.html (http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/03/allies-arent-homophobes-or-transphobes.html)
also http://www.bilerico.com/2009/03/allies_arent_homophobes_or_transphobes_f.php (http://www.bilerico.com/2009/03/allies_arent_homophobes_or_transphobes_f.php)
The late poet Gwendolyn Brooks said it best when she stated that 'truth tellers are not always palatable, there's a preference for candy bars.'
One of the things that irritates me is when the people in the GLBT community who prefer candy bars start hollering 'homophobe' or 'transphobe' when allies offer constructive criticism. Many times that criticism is not offensive, but is offered in the spirit of Kingian love in terms of helping to improve or contribute to the ultimate success of the movement they support.
It takes courage for a straight ally, knowing they will probably take a lot of crap for doing so will stand up and publicly declare that they are with us because they see the interconnectedness of the issues that we are fighting for also impact them as well. It takes even more courage for one who is a politician or similar public figure to do so.
Allies Aren't 'Homophobes' or 'Transphobes' For Telling The Truth
Posted by Monica Roberts at 6:36 PM
http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/03/allies-arent-homophobes-or-transphobes.html (http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/03/allies-arent-homophobes-or-transphobes.html)
also http://www.bilerico.com/2009/03/allies_arent_homophobes_or_transphobes_f.php (http://www.bilerico.com/2009/03/allies_arent_homophobes_or_transphobes_f.php)
The late poet Gwendolyn Brooks said it best when she stated that 'truth tellers are not always palatable, there's a preference for candy bars.'
One of the things that irritates me is when the people in the GLBT community who prefer candy bars start hollering 'homophobe' or 'transphobe' when allies offer constructive criticism. Many times that criticism is not offensive, but is offered in the spirit of Kingian love in terms of helping to improve or contribute to the ultimate success of the movement they support.
It takes courage for a straight ally, knowing they will probably take a lot of crap for doing so will stand up and publicly declare that they are with us because they see the interconnectedness of the issues that we are fighting for also impact them as well. It takes even more courage for one who is a politician or similar public figure to do so.
Title: Re: Allies Aren't 'Homophobes' or 'Transphobes' For Telling The Truth
Post by: Vicky on March 19, 2009, 11:25:23 PM
Post by: Vicky on March 19, 2009, 11:25:23 PM
This is definitely an idea who's time is very right. It is something that I have been aware of for years that and happens much too frequently. At one time I was one of the "allies" she is speaking about who got trashed, not because my ideas were bad, but I was not "one of the real people" that the activists were speaking in favor of. It turns out that I was NOT transphobic at all, I was transgendered but did not know it for what it was at the time. I was not homophobic at the time, but was uninformed about gay's, and did hold some ideas that badly needed to be changed about the gay life and community. Some of those "bad" ideas had been gotten from the gay community, and my input had been to find ways I did not get new and stronger bad ideas.
We are still at a point where we need many good impressions on society to combat a single bad impression. I and we should not have to come up with that type of payoff, that is correct, but for now it is getting some work done. It is a moral deficit situation nearly as bad as the financial situation is. Any person who can give me insight on how to better present my case needs to be made welcome, fed well, and given enough to drink to keep the ideas flowing.
It does not matter if their ideas benefit themselves too, they have a stake in this world too. I want to live in this world with neighbors, not enemies.
We are still at a point where we need many good impressions on society to combat a single bad impression. I and we should not have to come up with that type of payoff, that is correct, but for now it is getting some work done. It is a moral deficit situation nearly as bad as the financial situation is. Any person who can give me insight on how to better present my case needs to be made welcome, fed well, and given enough to drink to keep the ideas flowing.
It does not matter if their ideas benefit themselves too, they have a stake in this world too. I want to live in this world with neighbors, not enemies.