Today feels solumn. I don't really feel good about the world. Someone commented about the fact that what happens on Twitter doesn't matter to most people, but I pointed out that what people are saying impacts their freedoms & safety. It matters to everyone.
Freedom of speech does not cover the continued homophobic rhetoric the right pushes, which has continued to escalate as the LGBTQIA community gains acceptance. Their answer is to spread new lies and unlock outrageous fears, as well as painting allies with the same brush. “They're coming for your children and grooming them to be gay”. Did you know men in dresses and makeup were more dangerous than 18 year olds with guns in elementary schools?
I identify as queer. I'm a groomer, a pedophile and a whole host of projected bullshit that the LGBTQIA community has heard before. But social media has made it extremely easy to spread this fear, to propagate the lies (this kitty litter boxes in bathroos aren't going to clean themselves, more wasted tax payer dollars).
And the outcome is violence against us. It's always been difficult for me to say us. Even though I have dated women and my first love was a woman, I have a daughter
I was married for 15 years. I also am out at work.
But I want to be clear, I am part of this community and I cannot smile today, all I can do is cry.
I don't know how to be any clearer that giving homophobia a platform is dangerous. Voting for people who would take away the rights of people you love, is harm. It's promoting violence, period.
What's happening at Twitter is not unimportant, giving Trump a bullhorn also let's his supporters know that what they believe is protected speech and valid. Every single politician that promotes legislation to limit our rights, that demonizes the LGBTQIA community is complicit in this attack. They are complicit in the continued oppression of every marginalized community in this Country. And yet they not only have a platform on Twitter, they serve in our government.
How do we not despair? How do we not feel unsafe?
If you are an ally, please be present, be patient and understand how hurt and angry we are today, but also every other day. Please hold space for our anger, listen, let us cry, or cry with us. I know I can't speak for every LGBTQIA person, and that's not my intention, but it's important for me to acknowledge that this is my community. And the ache I feel is so very painful and runs deep.