I've Decided That Hating Those Who Hate Us Is Not Okay
“You are a sin.”
“You are an abomination.”
“God hates you.”
“I hate you.”
“I hope you die.”
“You’re going to burn in hell.”
“You’re shameful.”
“You don’t deserve respect.”
“I will kill you.”
“You don’t deserve love.”
“You’re the spawn of Satan.”
“You’re a disease.”
“We don’t want you here.”
“Why don’t you just do us all a favor and kill your self.”
These are just a few of the things people say to us - the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers (LGBTQ). They are just words. But they are words strung together to spell out hate. And they do hurt. Heck, they hurt a lot.
When We Get Hurt We Get Angry
And when people get hurt – it doesn’t matter whether you’re straight or LGBTQ - we usually get angry. And when we get angry, we feel a lot more powerful. So with this surge of power pulsing in our veins, we spew out hateful words, screaming back at those who hate us.
A Lot of Hate Going Around
Sadly, there’s a lot of hate going around especially on social media. The topic of same sex marriage was ablaze for days (it still probably is) and many people (I’m not saying all) took the time to punch in keys just to come up with a hateful and vicious message. Of course, some members and allies of the LGBTQ community also put in their comments. Sadly, many (not all) of their comments are also filled with hate and name calling.
You Still Get To Decide What's Not Okay
I want to say to our allies and fellow LGBTQ members that I do understand where you are coming from. Naturally, you’ll be angry when someone calls you all these awful things (see the first part of this post just in case you want to review what awful things are usually hurled at us, the LGBTQ community). And it’s not okay for people to bash and discriminate us. I get where you’re coming from, I really do.
I know how it feels when people say they are not okay with who we are. But here’s one thing I’ve learned. I still get to decide what’s not okay.
And I’ve decided that hate is not okay.
I’ve decided that hating and getting angry at those who either don’t understand the LGBTQs or have made negative assumptions about us, is not okay.
Because what does being angry really do for the LGBTQ community? For our cause? I could scream and shout (or type in as a reply) mean words to those who are standing in the way of equality and love. But that would most probably not change their opinion. Because what they would see is just anger. They would not see the person that I am - which is someone who believes that love, equality, and acceptance should win over hatred and injustice.
We All Hope for the Same Kind of Society
So instead of being angry, I chose to just keep writing and sharing our stories. I believe that by sharing our stories, people are going to see that we have more things in common than they originally thought. They would see that just like them we have dreams and hopes, we bleed and get hurt, go through tough times and happy ones, love and experience heartbreak and hope for a better future. Despite our differences in beliefs, faith, and principles, I’d like to believe that we all hope for the same kind of world. A world filled with love and empathy, where justice and equality prevails and a world where people will stand up, rise up and challenge the norms for those who are being oppressed.
In the end, we all get to choose what wins. And I am hoping that you'll choose love over hatred.
