Methodology of Bully-Response, 101

I repeatedly find myself admonished for giving bullies and neanderthals
(a.k.a. religious zealots and bigots) my energy and attention. The advice
I'm given is to 'just ignore them' and not give them any undue power.

It's a wonderfully idealized concept to imagine that we can just pretend
that constant harassment has no impact on us. But to 'simply ignore' a
bully does not teach them that they can't get a rise; it teaches them that
we are willing victims and their abuse will be tolerated until they tire of
dishing it out.

That's depowering and passive and horribly ineffective, whether on the
playground, in the courtrooms, online, or at our work and homes.

Fighting back says that you're worth fighting for.
It draws a line in the sand.
It opposes the harmful action and expresses.
It teaches us how to combat the inappropriate and injust of this world
(and yes, that can be a constant battle.)

Is suffering a bully gladly a time-honored means of building personal
character and strength? Some times.

But what of all the kids and adults who aren't as formidable--who buckle
and are adversely affected by the pressures and attacks of bullies of all
shapes and sizes? Do we throw them to the wolves and let them fend for
themselves? I don't think so.

And that's why I do what I do. Not to grant significance to douchebags
and self-congratulatory schmucks and posers. Not to engage assholes
who think hurting others is their appointment in life. Not to maintain a
sense of victimhood or powerlessness.

No, I address the dicks who try and make our lives miserable so that
those who think they're alone know they're not...so that those who don't
think they can stand up for themselves realize they can....and to let those
who think it's their job to 'shut up and take it' know that they have a choice
and a voice. And of course, to send a clear and vocal message to assholes
that we are off limits to their shenanigans.

We can have as good a life here as we're willing to fight for. And our enemies
are for damned sure organized, so we'd better learn to be as well.

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Dissecting Hate

How can we determine what the best possible response to
a culture of hate will be?

We have anti-gay laws, we have unexpected homophobic
remarks accosting us in public, we get disowned by family,
there is threat of physical violence and vandalism....it's an
ongoing concern from every direction.

The world is changing so rapidly, from the economic front to
the political factionalizing to the growing number of hate groups.

We have new legislation passing--and being repealed--every
day and many cities/counties/states' laws are completely
contradictory to one another.

There isn't one set rule of thumb for handling ignorance, bias,
and hate actions, so how can we serve a unified response?
How can we teach people how to prepare and survive their
experiences with those who would see us harmed simply
because they think they can?

I sometimes wonder if giving attention and energy to hate
groups and talking heads doesn't embolden them. I'm sure
that it does, to an extent...but I'm not naive enough to think
you can simply let uncouth, hurtful words go undenounced,
nor inappropriate legislation go unchecked.

But at what point to we simply block out the negativity of
the masses and commit to living our own best life, designing
for ourselves and those we love an air of calm, loving, and
support?

If I could pass on one idea to the coming generations of
'differently attracted' kids, it would be to not let anyone
else instruct your inner landscape. Not church people, not
parents, not friends, not organizations. Each person has to
become grounded in their own personhood, and not merely
channeling others' strength.

It's hard, and it takes a lot of time, usually. But at the end of
it all, the most distinguished contribution anyone can make to
Hate is to not let it destroy their happiness or upend their life.

Living well really is the best revenge.

Maybe it's time we stopped getting quite so emotionally
wrapped up in all the horrible things that are said about us?

We can't cure stupid, and this earth will never be a paradise.
Maybe we can just become dedicated to our own inner Utopias...
and help others do the same.

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"Lies and Lunacy" - (Battling) The religious and conservative on homosexuality

Here's a good feed of multiple humorous and serious commentary in response
to the outbreak of Cray-Cray in the media in recent months!

(When the first one is over, the next in Que will automatically play). I find it
heartening to see all the good work being done around the globe by some
very talented, very spirited ladies and fellows, in promoting common sense
and decency!

Stand Up, Speak Out, Live Free!

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Tea Party: More Trouble Brewing

"It's all just a little bit of history repeating."

The following is an excerpt from an article entitled "It's Their Party:
How the Tea Party Sustains the Anti-LGBT Right" by Pam Chamberlain.

Article published by Political Research Associates' "The Public Eye" magazine.
(link follows excerpt)

The more things change....

Remember; bigots won't stop hating just because laws exist and social
view change on whole; they find more insidious means of practicing their
discriminatory nature, and they find ways to institutionalize bias..without
labeling it such.

Awareness is such a wonderful thing.

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The Christian Right, including both the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and
conservative evangelical Protestants, has been the driving force in opposing
LGBT rights in the U.S. An effective infrastructure of grassroots organizations,
charismatic leaders, media networks, and consistent funding provided the scaf-
folding for this Christian constituency to join with other burgeoning social move-
ments in a powerful political force.

The rise of the Tea Party has reinforced the visibility and ultimately the electoral
focus of the Christian Right. While initially galvanized around issues such as lower
taxes, smaller government and national security concerns, about half of the Tea
Party identifies with the Christian Right. This overlap has helped reinforce a
political “litmus test” for candidates on so-called social issues like abortion,
sexuality education, and the place of religion in public life. Right-wing strategists,
and the candidates who follow their counsel, have targeted various groups such
as immigrants, African-Americans, and Muslims as opportunities arose.

The ideas that LGBT and homosexuality are threats to society were constructed
as part of its overall strategy to mobilize support based on scapegoating and
fear.[v] Ample historic precedence exists for blaming immigrant communities
of color for economic and social problems. LGBT people have been singled
out both because they are easy targets based on fear of the “other” and that
they represent departure from the idealized sexual norm.[vi] "





Full Article Here


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Thanks to  PFLAG Tallahassee,  Welcoming Resources and More Light Presbyterians

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