Gay rights. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that this has been a huge topic in the political, social, and religious spheres. Discussions about whether or not the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community (otherwise known as the LGBT community) have the right to be wed and recognized as a married couple by the government have been had in kitchens, classrooms and beyond. Recognition of the fact that this topic is worth a discussion or two is a step in the right direction. Anything is better than remaining silent or ignoring the plethora of rights being denied to our fellow Americans. However, we must now take a step beyond this recognition and act in the name of the suppressed. We can no longer accept "tolerance in moderation" as a nationwide mindset. It is time to end discrimination, and grant rights to the LGBT community just like they deserve.
This is not meant to be a satirical post about an issue many of you have heard me speak of. This is a cry for action. My intention is not to eternally condemn those who are bigoted. Lord knows I'm in no position to do so. My intention is to present the facts and arguments that are being made daily on behalf of a group of people who are being denied the simple request to be considered equal. For those of you who do not support gay rights, I will share a perspective that will hopefully soften your heart towards those who are, at the end of the day, just like you. For those of you who are supportive but passive, know that you can make a change. While it may not be immediately visible, you reside in a country where hearts are hurting. Your vote, your voice, and your actions can change a mind for the better. Once again, consider this my plea for you to do so.
Many arguments have been made opposing rights for the LGBT community. From a religious standpoint, the argument is that gay marriage is a sin, and that God intended for us to be with partners of the opposite sex. High members of churches across the nation have condemned LGBT Americans to an afterlife of hellfire simply because of their love for another person. In the absence of religious beliefs, men and women turn towards discrimination because they believe that being gay is a choice; the wrong choice. They believe that same-sex couples are detrimental to our posterity, and that they are incapable of raising children due to the absence of the opposite sex. These individuals are being considered inferior, incapable, and unnatural.
This is unacceptable on a number of levels. Consider for a moment the damage that these mindsets cause on a psychological level. Attempting to convince an individual that they are inferior to you (or anyone else for that matter) because of whom they love is atrocious. Who made you high chancellor of the realm and granted you the ability to judge anyone beyond yourself? The fallout from behavior such as this is heartbreaking. Americans across the nation are residing in a country where they are told to be afraid and ashamed of who they are. This bigotry doesn't end beyond a certain age group, either. Children are being judged, bullied, and abused because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, and it has led to alarming results. While working on behalf of the Southern Poverty Law Center this summer, I've learned that students have been subjected to neutrality policies that don't allow for an educator to intervene when a student faces gay bullying. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, an estimate 30-40% of teens who are either LGBT or have been associated with the LGBT community have attempted to commit suicide. 20-40% of teens found homeless in America have identified themselves as LGBT. Beyond that, individuals regardless of age can be fired in 29 states for being gay, and in 34 states for being transgendered. These are the facts, and they are terrifying.
Even when approaching this from a religious or spiritual point of view, the argument does not make sense. Consider the fundamental Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. This argument has been made time and time again, leaving LGBT people feeling as if God doesn't love them because of "the choice they've made to be gay." Churches have expelled gay couples from their buildings, messages of hatred have been thrown around, and anti- gay sentiments are perpetuated on the basis that gays are sinners. Now, let us consider other fundamental Christian values in regards to these issues. The last time I checked the Bible, Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). In the eyes of a Christian, we all sin. Just because your sin is different does not place you in some elite club in which you are permitted to jeer at other sinners. What ever happened to loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)? On top of that, Christians claim that God made individuals just the way they are (Psalm 139:15). To judge God's creation is to judge God himself, so while you may feel good about putting your nose up in the air when in the presence of LGBT people, you're displeasing God. Finally, "God so loved the WORLD that he gave his one and only Son" to die for us (John 3:16). Nowhere does it say "God so loved just the Christians, far right extremists, and straight men and women that he gave his one and only Son so that those groups could go on and decide who gets to be deemed a sinner." Succinctly put: You are not the God of your religion, so stop making decisions for others, and stop judging them like you have any sort of divine right.
Lastly, there have been several arguments made that gay marriage will shake the foundation of marriage, and will put the sanctity and tradition of marriage to shame. I don't see how anyone in the US could attempt to protect the "sanctity" of the current definition of marriage. Couples jump into marriage without understanding what it means to be a half of a whole. Over 50% of American marriages end in divorce, leaving kids in broken homes. Now, I will NEVER insinuate that parents are not capable of raising their kids alone or in a joint situation. I was raised with divorced parents, and I am proud to say that I have a healthy relationship with my family even with the divide. However, many children are left with parents who dislike each other and are strained emotionally for years on end. Marriage is not perfect, and even married couples who stay together do not do so without fighting from time to time, but to imply that straight couples are more capable of "keeping it together" than gay couples is absurd. Statistics betray those who believe that the ideal marriage is between couples of the opposite sex. Additionally, there has been an argument that same-sex marriage will ruin reproduction, and could never be true parents. Well, there are plenty of straight couples who could never be true parents, hence why we have children in foster homes. Their parents were incapable of raising them, but for some reason placing children in foster homes due to abuse is more socially acceptable than even giving LGBT couples the chance to start a family. Really, nation? Really?
The arguments of far-right extremists, religious communities, and other anti-gay groups could never sway me, because as I've discussed, they just don't make sense. The rights that I am fighting for here are civil rights. They aren't special treatment, and they aren't going to harm anyone. These rights are in favor of equality and love. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not the problem. It is prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry that tarnish the message and meaning of love. The hatred and intolerance that the LGBT community is subjected to daily is abhorrent, and should end immediately. I've called on you before to take a stand in the name of something you believe in. With this, I'm extending an opportunity to do just that. Spread the word, and expunge the limitations that have been put on love nationwide. There will be no justice until we're equal, so please, stand behind the LGBT rights movement.
Ways to get involved/ show support can be found at:
ACLU.org
SPLCenter.org
Washingtonunitedformarriage.org
Itgetsbetter.org
Glaad.org
Thetrevorproject.org
This is a blog where dreams come true... or it's a blog where I finally post some of my ridiculous musings.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
From What I've Learned, None of You Make Sense.
So, a few things before we begin:
1) Yes, it has been forever and a day since I've written anything. Apologies. I've been work's bitch.
2) To add to my first note, I've been work's bitch because I've adored my job for the most part. You'll be hearing more about that later.
3) Potatoes.
Now then, on to the fun conversation! Today's lecture will be on how I don't understand why we only do shit when it's easy or convenient.
I've been working as a canvasser on behalf of a nonprofit organization for the past two months or so, and what I've learned is this: people would much rather walk into a store and buy the same damn thing they're wearing than spend two minutes to hear about an issue that could potentially change a life. Even worse, they'll sign their name on any damn petition that is shoved in their face, but the second it takes more effort than scratching a pen around on a dotted line, they play the "let's see how far I can get my nose up in the air" game and walk away. (Side note: I'm not impressed by you. Not one bit)
Please hear me out. I come from no high horse. I see the issue in myself all the time. We as Americans are all conditioned to feel better when we buy things, so clearly I am guilty (because trust me, I have bought two types of the same shirt and justified the purchase by saying they were different colors. Sad). Therefore, I feel the twinge and the urge to walk away from complicated or intense thought-provoking issues in order to "enjoy the little things" like buying a six dollar coffee or purchasing a wallet in which I will keep what little I have left to my name.
However, a change has come around. I took my two minutes. I heard someone out. And now? I'm fucking furious with copious amounts of people.
I call out to (on an average day) hundreds of people. A small percentage of those people stop, and an even smaller number stick around to hear me out. Perhaps a gigantic reason for this is because you were taught from day one on this rock to not talk to strangers. Fair enough. However, it is not your fear of me collecting your blood or shoving you into a van that keeps you from stopping, because lord knows that when you pass the age of five it is a well understood fact that no canvasser is going to try to do that. No, no. What you're afraid of is losing your two minutes, your shirts, your coffee, or any other number of things you "need." Let me clarify for you a few things me (and most of my fellow canvassers) keep in mind on a day to day basis:
1) I get it. You have stuff to do. If you are REALLY TOO BUSY, a simple "no, thank you" will suffice. Saying snippy comments, spitting, telling a joke about our cause, screaming, holding your finger in our face, "calling" your boyfriend or laughing does not make you clever or unique in our eyes. Remember those hundreds of people I mentioned? Well, you "clever" people get pretty repetitive.
2) If you stop and are not interested in any way because the cause does not appeal to you, then thank you for your time. I will not under any circumstances try to take your money, because money as a result of coercion doesn't get a movement going. Quite frankly, it just makes us look like congress (And we all LOVE congress , right?)
3) I will not trick you, kiss your ass, or attempt to appeal to your character. If you took time to listen to what I have to say, then I'll thank you kindly. If you choose to get involved, awesome! Let's get you involved at a level you can manage and feel good about. No amount of yes-man efforts should get you to care about an issue. Either you do and you immerse yourself in the effort, or you don't and you move on.
4) We are humans. I feel as if this one shouldn't be necessary, but boy oh boy do some people adore testing this theory. We're perfectly nice human beings. Trust me, I've worked with some of the greatest individuals I've ever met. That being the case, you don't have to be mean. We can take it for the most part, but don't make it a daily habit to take out your personal frustrations on us while we're working. We don't do it to you, so don't hesitate to return the favor.
Phew! I'm hoping you're still with me on this, because I swear I'm getting somewhere. Now that we've tackled some major issues canvassers usually face, let's discuss the other reason why a lot of people choose not to do something with their time:
They just don't care.
Sorry to be blunt, but let's face it: it's just so easy in the US to buy a whole bunch of stuff and ignore the long-term issues. It's why a lot of you don't vote. It's why a lot of you don't read newspapers anymore. It's why you leave the news on as background noise. No amount of effort is convenient when it comes to problems within the government, nonprofits asking for some help, or a thorough opinion on which pieces of legislation should be passed or dumped.
Your first alternative is to look for an out. You simply find the easiest solution to the little problem named Guilt in the back of your brain. For a lot of Americans, it's Facebook. Americans LOVE "liking" shit, myself included. Be that as it may, I have awful news. You liking a Facebook page doesn't do a damn thing. It does not save a child's life. It doesn't change a harmful policy. It doesn't give an animal in danger a safe place to live. No. It simply gives you the satisfaction of liking something that someone else is doing. This kind of sucks in retrospect, doesn't it? I mean, you put all of that effort into stumbling upon a page with an amazing idea, liking it, and watching someone ELSE ultimately get the credit for the change (please tell me you found the sarcasm). True, you may be a bit more informed than you were before, but ultimately unless you really give any one of the fucks in your pocket, it won't do a single thing.
Your other out? Your signature. I tell you truth when I say that I adore petitions, movements, and anything that presents an alternative to the issue at hand. More power to you if you can really get a movement going. The petition is not the issue. The issue (again, sorry) is most of you throwing your name around. This is not an assumption. Day after day, I speak with people who will sign ANYTHING. Literally anything. So long as it takes only twelve seconds, you're game. This is a shameful fact that makes me go home and bang my head against the wall for a solid two minutes after work. Lord forbid you read up on it, or ask me what the details are for the alleged petition. Your swift signature is no form of change. This is detrimental to any effort, because ultimately you will take no further step to follow up on it.
Your final out comes in the form of the average Americans most-loved possession: buckets and buckets of stuff. Shirts, shoes, and the latest iPhone will solve all problems! I can't tell you how many days I'm told that people can't give to an organization because of a lack of funds WHILE HOLDING over $1000 worth of stuff on their person. Once again, you are not clever. I see you. If you don't give a damn like I suggested before, then walk away. But do not sit there and tell me you can't help an organization you hold near and dear to your heat because you can't afford it. Is money the only way to help? Of course not! But let's get real: You're not about to slap on a vest and stand next to me. There's no point in lying. Feel free to leave and go buy something to get over fibbing to me. It won't work, silly.
What I can tell you is that your three short-term solutions are simply that: short-term. Your complacency and/or apathy will get you nowhere. What will?
Action.
Get up and try something new today. Assist in any way you can. While the organization I stand for may not be one you roll with, you can still take something away from this post. I'm asking you to simply give a damn. So, give a damn. You have to have faith in something, right? Something must make you angry, happy, etc. Well, here's the truth of the matter: Anyone can believe that something is right, wrong, moral, immoral, and so on. Making "witty" comments, arguing for the hell of it, or simply following a set of posts about an issue doesn't reaffirm your belief. It takes a true superhero to ACT on that belief's behalf. So, throw on your cape and do something a little harder than your day-to-day. Take a step outside of the ordinary. Prove me wrong.
1) Yes, it has been forever and a day since I've written anything. Apologies. I've been work's bitch.
2) To add to my first note, I've been work's bitch because I've adored my job for the most part. You'll be hearing more about that later.
3) Potatoes.
Now then, on to the fun conversation! Today's lecture will be on how I don't understand why we only do shit when it's easy or convenient.
I've been working as a canvasser on behalf of a nonprofit organization for the past two months or so, and what I've learned is this: people would much rather walk into a store and buy the same damn thing they're wearing than spend two minutes to hear about an issue that could potentially change a life. Even worse, they'll sign their name on any damn petition that is shoved in their face, but the second it takes more effort than scratching a pen around on a dotted line, they play the "let's see how far I can get my nose up in the air" game and walk away. (Side note: I'm not impressed by you. Not one bit)
Please hear me out. I come from no high horse. I see the issue in myself all the time. We as Americans are all conditioned to feel better when we buy things, so clearly I am guilty (because trust me, I have bought two types of the same shirt and justified the purchase by saying they were different colors. Sad). Therefore, I feel the twinge and the urge to walk away from complicated or intense thought-provoking issues in order to "enjoy the little things" like buying a six dollar coffee or purchasing a wallet in which I will keep what little I have left to my name.
However, a change has come around. I took my two minutes. I heard someone out. And now? I'm fucking furious with copious amounts of people.
I call out to (on an average day) hundreds of people. A small percentage of those people stop, and an even smaller number stick around to hear me out. Perhaps a gigantic reason for this is because you were taught from day one on this rock to not talk to strangers. Fair enough. However, it is not your fear of me collecting your blood or shoving you into a van that keeps you from stopping, because lord knows that when you pass the age of five it is a well understood fact that no canvasser is going to try to do that. No, no. What you're afraid of is losing your two minutes, your shirts, your coffee, or any other number of things you "need." Let me clarify for you a few things me (and most of my fellow canvassers) keep in mind on a day to day basis:
1) I get it. You have stuff to do. If you are REALLY TOO BUSY, a simple "no, thank you" will suffice. Saying snippy comments, spitting, telling a joke about our cause, screaming, holding your finger in our face, "calling" your boyfriend or laughing does not make you clever or unique in our eyes. Remember those hundreds of people I mentioned? Well, you "clever" people get pretty repetitive.
2) If you stop and are not interested in any way because the cause does not appeal to you, then thank you for your time. I will not under any circumstances try to take your money, because money as a result of coercion doesn't get a movement going. Quite frankly, it just makes us look like congress (And we all LOVE congress , right?)
3) I will not trick you, kiss your ass, or attempt to appeal to your character. If you took time to listen to what I have to say, then I'll thank you kindly. If you choose to get involved, awesome! Let's get you involved at a level you can manage and feel good about. No amount of yes-man efforts should get you to care about an issue. Either you do and you immerse yourself in the effort, or you don't and you move on.
4) We are humans. I feel as if this one shouldn't be necessary, but boy oh boy do some people adore testing this theory. We're perfectly nice human beings. Trust me, I've worked with some of the greatest individuals I've ever met. That being the case, you don't have to be mean. We can take it for the most part, but don't make it a daily habit to take out your personal frustrations on us while we're working. We don't do it to you, so don't hesitate to return the favor.
Phew! I'm hoping you're still with me on this, because I swear I'm getting somewhere. Now that we've tackled some major issues canvassers usually face, let's discuss the other reason why a lot of people choose not to do something with their time:
They just don't care.
Sorry to be blunt, but let's face it: it's just so easy in the US to buy a whole bunch of stuff and ignore the long-term issues. It's why a lot of you don't vote. It's why a lot of you don't read newspapers anymore. It's why you leave the news on as background noise. No amount of effort is convenient when it comes to problems within the government, nonprofits asking for some help, or a thorough opinion on which pieces of legislation should be passed or dumped.
Your first alternative is to look for an out. You simply find the easiest solution to the little problem named Guilt in the back of your brain. For a lot of Americans, it's Facebook. Americans LOVE "liking" shit, myself included. Be that as it may, I have awful news. You liking a Facebook page doesn't do a damn thing. It does not save a child's life. It doesn't change a harmful policy. It doesn't give an animal in danger a safe place to live. No. It simply gives you the satisfaction of liking something that someone else is doing. This kind of sucks in retrospect, doesn't it? I mean, you put all of that effort into stumbling upon a page with an amazing idea, liking it, and watching someone ELSE ultimately get the credit for the change (please tell me you found the sarcasm). True, you may be a bit more informed than you were before, but ultimately unless you really give any one of the fucks in your pocket, it won't do a single thing.
Your other out? Your signature. I tell you truth when I say that I adore petitions, movements, and anything that presents an alternative to the issue at hand. More power to you if you can really get a movement going. The petition is not the issue. The issue (again, sorry) is most of you throwing your name around. This is not an assumption. Day after day, I speak with people who will sign ANYTHING. Literally anything. So long as it takes only twelve seconds, you're game. This is a shameful fact that makes me go home and bang my head against the wall for a solid two minutes after work. Lord forbid you read up on it, or ask me what the details are for the alleged petition. Your swift signature is no form of change. This is detrimental to any effort, because ultimately you will take no further step to follow up on it.
Your final out comes in the form of the average Americans most-loved possession: buckets and buckets of stuff. Shirts, shoes, and the latest iPhone will solve all problems! I can't tell you how many days I'm told that people can't give to an organization because of a lack of funds WHILE HOLDING over $1000 worth of stuff on their person. Once again, you are not clever. I see you. If you don't give a damn like I suggested before, then walk away. But do not sit there and tell me you can't help an organization you hold near and dear to your heat because you can't afford it. Is money the only way to help? Of course not! But let's get real: You're not about to slap on a vest and stand next to me. There's no point in lying. Feel free to leave and go buy something to get over fibbing to me. It won't work, silly.
What I can tell you is that your three short-term solutions are simply that: short-term. Your complacency and/or apathy will get you nowhere. What will?
Action.
Get up and try something new today. Assist in any way you can. While the organization I stand for may not be one you roll with, you can still take something away from this post. I'm asking you to simply give a damn. So, give a damn. You have to have faith in something, right? Something must make you angry, happy, etc. Well, here's the truth of the matter: Anyone can believe that something is right, wrong, moral, immoral, and so on. Making "witty" comments, arguing for the hell of it, or simply following a set of posts about an issue doesn't reaffirm your belief. It takes a true superhero to ACT on that belief's behalf. So, throw on your cape and do something a little harder than your day-to-day. Take a step outside of the ordinary. Prove me wrong.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Good Lord, I've been Busy
So uh, yes, it has been a while. I will be officially free from the chains of 8-10 hour days tomorrow at seven, so be ready for some fresh content. I have too much to talk about and absolutely no brainpower to process it at the moment.
Brethren before Wenches. Goodnight everyone.
Brethren before Wenches. Goodnight everyone.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
So here we go.
There's this thing (a first world problem, if you will) that has been bothering me for a while: people are taking themselves way too seriously. Now granted, I am probably the nine millionth person to have stated this on a blog within the last 24 hours, but if I gave any sort of a damn then this wouldn't be here in the first place. My mission by starting this soon-to-be monstrosity is not to prove any particular point, but to strive to rise above using the skills we human beings have of thinking that we are muuuuuch better than the person sitting next to us (that includes you, guy on Reddit who has a test in eight hours). I'm no expert, but I'll rot in a prison cell surrounded by men who smell like the underside of a free couch placed on the side of road on a sweltering day in June before I censor my actions due to a fear of not being liked. Honestly, I've been the victim of criticism for years by people who think they are above my style of life, and I'm tired of being written off due to a quick judgement given by someone who has settled for a life of mediocrity because they don't want to appear "strange." If you haven't picked up on my point by now, here are some major overarching points:
1) This blog will include several (SEVERAL) posts that have nothing to do with anything, which will make it all the more beautiful.
2) While I respect your right to an opinion, I ultimately couldn't care less about whether or not you find any of this helpful, clever, appropriate, or intelligent. I'm doing this for kicks, so if you're too busy reading the New York Times while shooting the breeze with your fellow pilates club members during a brunch at "that little indie coffee shop that's just too good to be noticed," then you may PACK YOUR BAG AND LEAVE, SIR.
3) Blooopaplooppppppalooopaloooooooopalurpaloop.
4) I am a ridiculous soul who is proud to say that she lives a mostly glorious life surrounded by people who see me do the strangest things (which may or may not include doing a midget skip in the middle of Suzzallo Espresso, followed by two or three turns and a boop ballad), and accept me with open arms anyways. Most of this blog will be dedicated to them.
Now take a moment, blink out the nuts you just read, put a sombrero on, and ask yourself:
Are you ready to read the thoughts of a person who lives in the middle of a Jay Gatsby party?
If so, please feel free to keep reading the second I feel like typing more (not gonna lie, it may take a few days).
There's this thing (a first world problem, if you will) that has been bothering me for a while: people are taking themselves way too seriously. Now granted, I am probably the nine millionth person to have stated this on a blog within the last 24 hours, but if I gave any sort of a damn then this wouldn't be here in the first place. My mission by starting this soon-to-be monstrosity is not to prove any particular point, but to strive to rise above using the skills we human beings have of thinking that we are muuuuuch better than the person sitting next to us (that includes you, guy on Reddit who has a test in eight hours). I'm no expert, but I'll rot in a prison cell surrounded by men who smell like the underside of a free couch placed on the side of road on a sweltering day in June before I censor my actions due to a fear of not being liked. Honestly, I've been the victim of criticism for years by people who think they are above my style of life, and I'm tired of being written off due to a quick judgement given by someone who has settled for a life of mediocrity because they don't want to appear "strange." If you haven't picked up on my point by now, here are some major overarching points:
1) This blog will include several (SEVERAL) posts that have nothing to do with anything, which will make it all the more beautiful.
2) While I respect your right to an opinion, I ultimately couldn't care less about whether or not you find any of this helpful, clever, appropriate, or intelligent. I'm doing this for kicks, so if you're too busy reading the New York Times while shooting the breeze with your fellow pilates club members during a brunch at "that little indie coffee shop that's just too good to be noticed," then you may PACK YOUR BAG AND LEAVE, SIR.
3) Blooopaplooppppppalooopaloooooooopalurpaloop.
4) I am a ridiculous soul who is proud to say that she lives a mostly glorious life surrounded by people who see me do the strangest things (which may or may not include doing a midget skip in the middle of Suzzallo Espresso, followed by two or three turns and a boop ballad), and accept me with open arms anyways. Most of this blog will be dedicated to them.
Now take a moment, blink out the nuts you just read, put a sombrero on, and ask yourself:
Are you ready to read the thoughts of a person who lives in the middle of a Jay Gatsby party?
If so, please feel free to keep reading the second I feel like typing more (not gonna lie, it may take a few days).
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