A Trans Story - Hatred and Bigotry

A Trans Story – Hatred and Bigotry

You know I have never really understood hatred and bigotry directed toward people you don’t understand. I just don’t know what makes some people so arrogant that they believe they are better, more perfect, or just in the right. I mean I have been and still am a pretty arrogant person, lol – but I have never thought anyone was less than myself just because I either don’t agree with them, or don’t understand them. And I find it even more mystifying that in the 21^st century we seem to be retreating backward deeper and deeper into that hatred and bigotry.

This chain of thought started because I saw a post where people were complaining about the Students walking out on Pence, saying they were being disrespectful, or childish and stating they had no right to do that. Ofcourse I had to hop on that chain praising the students. For one I thought they showed their opposition in a very mature way. They made a point without resorting to mindless violence. Anyway as usual I was subjected to right wing bigotry about the LGBT community. I tried to tell the person that they would have to adapt as soon a new generation would be making the decisions for this country, namely the generation these people were currently disparaging. This older person declined to believe that, stating we will see, and my response was what is there to see about – it’s a fact of life, new generations arise with new ideas. Anyway he then decided to mention about snowflakes being in control and tossing the LGBT off of roofs. I mean really, are we resorting to that kind of thing now?

Granted there are times when I find it almost amusing that some people have no other recourse but to resort to violent threats when dealing with someone they do not accept, or when facing beliefs they cannot ever understand, because of their closed minds. And I will also admit that my responses are sometimes not tailored towards calming the situation, more like I provide them with a verbal bitch slap for what I see as their stupidity. This might not be the best approach and it usually takes me a few additional comments to reign that behavior in. Despite my initial response I don’t view these people as less than me, I don’t hate them, I don’t try to take away their rights despite their clinging to ideas best left in the past, beliefs from a bygone era they are eager to force on all the rest of us, because they cannot handle the world of change. That they cant handle change is their problem, and their bag to carry. I don’t want to force change upon them. I am happy to let them live in their little bubble of forgotten beliefs, if they would just let me and mine live my life.

And its not just toward the LGBT, but they target anyone not of the same beliefs as themselves. And ofcourse the majority of whom I speak about are right wing, conservative Christians – but they actually don’t even deserve the term Christians. I know that not all Christians are so full of hate, but so many of them are. They detest the LGBT, they detest Muslims, don’t like Jewish, or people with any other religious affiliation. Its completely ridiculous and incomprehensible to me. Why do they want everyone to be the same? Why do they feel this drive to make everyone follow their own narrow beliefs? And why do they resort to bullying tactics to get their way? Well that last one I know the answer to, its because they lack imagination and empathy and so all they know is bullying.

Oh I know that many Christians will claim violence from other parties etc, etc, and yes I do agree every sect of people results in fanatics. Almost every religion has radical extremists, but the problem is The right wing conservative Christians refuse to admit that they are also radical extremists. That is what you call it when you attempt to change peoples beliefs by force, or by denying them the same rights they enjoy. So I have to ask – when will this country, and the human race learn from the mistakes made throughout history. They continually make them over and over and over again.

And another thing, why is it now a problem for people to object to the leaders? This country was born in rebellion, its part of its character to disagree with those in charge. But when a Republican is the President, God Forbid any of us object.

There are many times when I like a good fight. Its inside me to fight back against people trying to force their beliefs upon me, or deny me rights. And its within me to fight back against bigotry and hatred. But there are also times when I am just so tired of it. I am tired of the stupidity. I am tired of right wing conservatives trying to make us all Christian, straight, cis Sheep. There is far more to the world than their narrow beliefs, but they insist upon trying to force that upon the world. And I am getting tired of it. I am tired of waking up every morning and seeing some other stupid bill has been passed by one house or another, another bill that removes rights from the LGBT or removes rights from non Christians. It is beyond foolish for this to be going on, particularly in this century. And I just wonder how much fight I have left in me, but then I see, what I think is, a stupid remark by a conservative and the fight wakes right back up. But a big part of my attitude is just out and out pride. I cannot let someone else win, particularly when I feel they are being bigoted and hateful. I am driven to prevent them from winning.

But still I just don’t understand. I don’t know why these people want us to be like everyone else. It would be such a boring world if we were all the same. Why do they object so much to what is different and unique? Being different and unique is a wonderful thing. The world needs more diversity, but more than that it needs acceptance of diversity. I accept backward beliefs. I completely accept that everyones thoughts and beliefs are equally valid, even if I don’t agree with them. What they believe is right for them and I am just fine with that, but why can’t they feel the same toward me. Why cant they accept that what I believe and what I am doing is right for me. Why do they have to object, make life harder and just be downright hateful? We are no harm to them. Our values and beliefs, our differences, what makes us unique harm them not at all. We take nothing away from them. Marriage equality does them no harm. My transition affects them not at all. People following true Islam cause them no harm, so why do they feel the need to bully us and try to force us to be just like them.

Radicals on every side would be so much better off if they would just take a moment, stop and realise that it is our differences that make us all wonderful.