End anti-gay prejudice. Uplifting local LTTE in today's paper.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

This is one local LTTE that I actually agree with. A lot of the letters in our local paper tend to promote the hateful and archaic attitudes of a very conservative local populace. My oldest brother died earlier this year and because he was 17 years older than I, we didn't really spend a lot of time together since he was out on his own by the time that I was old enough to really get to know him.
However, the one thing that I do know is that he experienced everything that this person expresses so well in his letter. I don't think that he was ever truly happy until he moved to Pittsburgh which is more progressive than here. The sad part is that a lot of people around here still cling to their narrow minded and xenophobic opinions of people who are in any way different than they are.

This is the letter: (written by a local GLBT leader)

End anti-gay prejudice

National Coming Out Day is Oct. 11, and it is about the hardships of life, what it really takes to lead, in a sense, sometimes a double life.

It is important that I express what turmoil this creates. Sometimes being gay - especially in a community that is still somewhat backward in accepting people for who they are - makes it extremely difficult to sometimes feel as though you can move forward or be honest with people.

It is extremely difficult to be a loving, genuine person because society itself tends to persecute people who are overly loving, who are overly honest.

Our society has tended to acknowledge greed and dishonesty and to elect politicians who are corrupt, and so it's hard for gay people to become truthfully who they are because they're looked down upon by not only sometimes the community but by sometimes their very families.

The closest people may turn their backs on them because they have chosen to live as they truly wish, but it's in a style their family, friends and community aren't willing to acknowledge.

For National Coming Out Day, I feel it is important that someone like me who is a leader in the gay community step forward.

I suggest to area residents that they look deeply within their hearts and their minds and to look at the aspects of how we have moved beyond the prejudices against people who were of color.

Can we now take it within ourselves to move forward in this new millennia to move beyond our bigotry of those that wish to live a gay lifestyle?


Edit: I had to add a link to the actual LTTE so that you can read the responses.
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/523083.html?nav=737

:wow:

[theHandpuppet]

1. Wow -- the replies to the LTTE were really depressing

So much hate... :(

[Altoid_Cyclist]

2. I didn't even notice them at first, it's sad to see the responses.

That's why I added the link. I have friends who are CPA's and they pretty much all agree that my brother was one of the most knowledgeable CPA's that they ever met. He spent a good part of his life trying to help less fortunate people get back on their feet. He helped people with substance abuse problems try to clean up their act, he would let people down on their luck stay with him until they could find a job, etc..
A lot of people ended up taking his money and used him as an ATM but he kept on trying to help people until he had nothing left to give.

And yet, because of his lifestyle, a lot of people around here would hate him without even meeting him. There are times that I just want to take a swing at someone because of the remarks they make. It really bothers me when I hear it from my in-laws, I don't want to start a family feud so I usually try to avoid her family gatherings.

[theHandpuppet]

3. Why would anyone Unrec this thread?

:shrug:

[Altoid_Cyclist]

4. I must have hit a nerve or something.

I'd really like to think that there aren't any homophobic people here.

I'm biased since I started it, but I just thought that it took a lot of courage on the part of the writer and that it was worthy of a look by people. If people really knew what this area is like, they'd appreciate the fact that he was willing to do this even though it's not a popular or safe stance to take. Oh well, it cheered me up to see a display of courage.

[Toasterlad]

5. There Are Many Hidden - And Some Not So Hidden - Homophobes On DU

[Altoid_Cyclist]

7. I keep forgetting that there is no truly utopian society.

Any group of people is going to have deviations from the center.
I just have come to expect more from DU'ers and for the most part, I think most of the people here are above the average of our society as a whole.

Even my father had trouble accepting my brother when he told him that he was gay.

You're right Echo, at least people in this area don't just hate any one group of people, they also don't like people with dark skin, animal rights groups, people from other countries...you can include pretty much anyone that isn't 100% just like they are.

[Echo In Light]

6. Yeah, the 'comments' there are pitch black hate-fest. Scared, hateful little twits