Were you able to change a person's view on GLBT culture? If so, how?

T

The Computer Nerd

New member
I'll start:
Before I used to find the GLBT culture rather creepy. But after getting sh*t-stormed/flamed I did some research. Many gay people I spoke with said they went through alot of teasing & name calling, & THAT made me change sides (since I was ridiculed for being a nerd). Honestly, I can say I felt their pain & I was ashamed of my behavior (pissing them off). I did eventually make peace with all those people & they gave me advice to improve on my self-esteem.

Now I fully support same sex marriage. ^_^
 
First, thank you for the thinly-veiled apology. We accept it and congratulate you for the courage it took to 'come clean.'

Second, you have answered your own question.

Yes, I have, and the formula is exactly as it happed to you. I appeal to logic and empathy. It often takes more than a few discussions, and things might get a bit heated, but it's okay. I can take the heat. We, as LGBT people have been burning at that stake for centuries....a little patience may be all we have to offer, but if we can appeal to the essential humanity of every living person, our fight will have been won.
 
I've changed a few mind in my day. Not because I made them 'see the light' by telling them how stupid they were, but simply because I exist. My friends and my friends families and friends for the most part had never encountered the LGBTQ community before meeting me. They knew me before and after they knew who and what I was and they liked me before, and by existing and being me, they liked me after they knew.

One incident I specifically remember was my freshman year in college while hanging out out with my best lady friend from high school and her brother. He said to me, "So you gave being strait and a man a shot before you came out as bi and a woman and knew it didn't work for you. I never looked at it that way. I just always assumed people like you just said and did things like that because you were really messed up, but after knowing you for as long as I have I have to say I have a new found respect for you and everyone else you represent. After knowing you and how normal you are Im starting to see others like you the same way. As people, just like me." Needless to say I was shocked by this statement and couldn't help but hug him because he finally understood what I, and everyone else in the community I so dearly love and am proud to call myself a part of, stood for. I had seen this guy grow from an innocent, naive middle schooler to a full grown college man, and I never saw what he said coming.

He is the reason I have the philosophy I have about it all. Don't try to change them. Show them and they will change if they ever come to understand us. I, and no one else, can force a person to change their views, they have to change themselves and anger and hate towards them for not understanding and accepting does not solve this problem. Only by existing in harmony can we ever hope to be fully and truly accepted. It is a fight, but it is a fight where no blood should be shed and no harm should be done. Love, kindness, and understanding will overcome anything.

In other words yes. And we welcome your support with loving and open arms. Gay rights is a fight, and we need and welcome all the help and support we can get.
 
I think I did change one person's view. A couple of years ago, there was this kid on my bus who said something homophobic. I calmly said to him to imagine if you were being ridiculed for something that you couldn't change, like. . . I don't know, having ADHD (I had known before-hand that he had it, not sure if he knew I knew). After that he seemed to have a better understanding.
 
Back
Top