for anyone against homophobia...

[thrihyrne]

I'm a member of JMU's 'Safe Zone,' for people who wish to put up a pink triangle at work to show that s/he is accepting of anyone's sexual orientation, regardless of what it is. As a member of that group, I get occasional emails for things, including information about Virginia's recent ridiculous amendment to make marriage only equate between one man and one woman during our most recent elections. You can only guess how I voted.

At any rate, as part of that, I just recently received an email about a young man in Pennsylvania who has made an eloquent, profound video that is a nominee for Current TV's "Seeds of Tolerance" competition, about homophobia in regards to himself, and also another gay teen in rural Pennsylvania who received the same atrocious treatment at his high school. I've just watched it, and not only is it well done, but it makes me insanely angry that this is still going on. If you would care to, please feel free to go there, watch it, and vote for it. I'm sure that the issues for the other movies are relevant and also necessary, but as a slash writer, pansexual, and simply humane person, I want this self-produced expression of individuality do well. You don't even have to vote: just watch it if this is an issue that is of relevance to you. He was sixteen. This is still happening. I'm speechless, and furious. His video is called "We Belong," the one to the far right of the six available.

http://www.current.tv/make/vc2/sot

< / rant>

Comments

[wolfiekins.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this, luv. What an amazing, eloquent young man. Good on him for refusing to remain silent and confront his oppressors. And he's bang on: intolerance, hatred, discrimination; these are all learned behaviours, they're taught by parents, teachers, and even the media.

Franklin is barely twenty minutes from here. Titusville, a bit further. The only difference between NW Pennsylvania and NE Ohio is some invisible line on a map...

And I'd like to suggest that while promoting 'tolerance' is a great start, that doesn't nearly go far enough. We tolerate things we don't really like. We put up with them. We tolerate nuisances, annoyances, like loud neighbours or bitchy workmates or arsehole bosses.

I'd rather be accepted for who and what I am, rather than tolerated, or 'put up with', if you will. I'm getting really picky, I know, but that's just the way I feel.

I'd really like to find this kid and give him a big fucking hug and tell him how much I admire his courage...he's got more than I do...

[pghpatronus.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tightly*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I certainly accept you for who you are, a genrous, caring, sensitive man. Among other things!! Yes, acceptance should be promoted, not just tolerance. I simply cannot fathom some people's closed-mindedness. I was so naive in high school that if there were gay folk, I simply didn't notice. But as you know, whatever my own predilections, I'm very much for gay pride, or just 'whoever you are' pride. We're all unique, and I'm so grateful that you're a part of my life.


(((big hugs to you)))

[pghpatronus.livejournal.com]

Thev, thanks for finding this and posting it. I'm as furious as you are. I've been furious for a long, long time.

And done absolutely nothing about it beyond not putting up with that crap in my own tiny sphere of influence - as best I can without outing myself. It's really not enough though, is it?

This kid has so much courage, far more than I do. Here I sit behind an anonymous username with a mostly f-locked LJ and here is this kid - strike that - this MAN - putting it all out there, fighting for what we all want.

As we talked about the other night, I need to consider my options, ALL of them.

This has reawakened my conscience. It may be time to act.

*hugs you tightly*

[wolfiekins.livejournal.com]

I hear you perfectly here. When is anything we do enough?

And I'd say you've done something:

...not putting up with that crap in my own tiny sphere of influence - as best I can...

Don't underestimate the power and effects of the things that you've done...however fleeting you feel they may have been. It's out there...you've done something, and imagine how things for C.J. might have turned out differently if there'd been someone like you at his school...I'd have to think that you'd have stood out amongst all those that remained silent and turned their backs on him.

Believe me, I know what it's like out there. No matter what my bravado when I leave the house, it frelling wilts when surrounded by a gang of ignorant, smug homophobes.

Whatever you choose to do, you know you'll have my, as well as many others, encouragement and support.

**holds tightly**

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

No matter what my bravado when I leave the house, it frelling wilts when surrounded by a gang of ignorant, smug homophobes.

That makes me want to yell and hit things. You don't ever deserve to be treated other than the warm, tender person that you are, and the thought that you've ever been treated differently makes me furious.

::seethes at anyone who has mistreated you::

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I know that you're in a difficult place, given your work environment, but this sounds so heartening to me:

I need to consider my options, ALL of them. This has reawakened my conscience. It may be time to act.

I hope it is. You deserve great happiness, and to be loved and accepted for who you are no matter what the environment is.

(((massive hugs back)))

[honor74.livejournal.com]

It happens, has happened for years and it's insidious, hate and prejudice passed down from one generation to the next. I watched my own mother turn her back on her friend of many years because she found out she was gay; I was a teen at the time and appalled that this person who I had considered so open-minded was behaving in such a way. I can't imagine the hurt her friend must have felt and I know it's not something I want to make anyone else feel.

My friend was too scared to come out in high school, even going so far as to buy het porno to keep in his room when his supposed 'buddies' came by. He would also date close girl friends (myself not included) to keep up the charade. That someone would feel the need to wear that elaborate of a costume, every day, is tragic. And at the age I was then, I had no clue how to help him. Where we live isn't exactly great, either. Oklahoma, buckle o' the Bible belt. We may live in one of the more liberal cities, but this is a state where the KKK is still active and the Westboro church is a stone's throw away.

Anyway, I'm going off on a rant meself, so I'll stop. I did vote for the video, and I agree, acceptance needs to be taught in schools. However, if the lessons learned in school aren't backed up at home, it's hard to get them to stick. I know I'm doing what I can with my children.

Also, if you happen to have time, there's a Washington Post article about a local teen from here and his experiences. Westboro actually came here and protested (my sister goes to church with Michael and his mother):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48197-2004Nov13?

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the link! I'll go look at the article momentarily. I don't remember being taught intolerance, and frankly I was so naive in high school that if any of my friends had non-heteronormative orientations, I was oblivious. I'm glad that you're raising your children as you are; as you say, those lessons do begin at home.

JMU's 'Safe Zone

[koshweasley.livejournal.com]

I'll have to try tomorrow. It wouldn't do anything for me.

Re: JMU's 'Safe Zone

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry sweetie! Did you ever get it to work?

p.s. nice icon. ;)

Re: JMU's 'Safe Zone

[koshweasley.livejournal.com]

Thanks about the icon. It's Jensen Ackles, from Supernatural. Wrawr;)

No, and i can't get it now either. Did you have to sign up?

Re: JMU's 'Safe Zone

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you do have to sign up, and the voting may already be over, so don't worry about it.

You guys are going to get me hooked on Supernatural, I can already tell!!! ;)