LGBT

I apologize for my snark. It's hard not to get worked up on this target.

I try not to overshare on DU, but one thing I have mentioned is that I work with LGBT youth in local programs. I spend a lot of time seeing and hearing how their lives are destroyed by homophobia, how every little bit of rhetoric and belief leaks into their families' minds and circles back to contribute to wrecking them.

So, when I see "gays can't be trusted with children," that is a monstrous red flag, and that kind of rhetoric, to me, requires an almost preternatural bit of penance to correct. Not a simple "I believe differently now" or "Well, I'm a Democrat and stuff." That's meaningless to me. That doesn't fix it. That doesn't make up for it. Not close. Not in the same universe. It's serious damage that requires serious contrition. You can't undo that by slapping a bumper sticker onto your car and saying "Well, gee, I'm different now!"

Instead, I'm seeing these games, these half-apologies, this evasiveness and dishonesty and an unwillingness to even acknowledge the lie that this person supported LGBT rights "for decades." It's a serious lie, given the context, and one told here over and over again. The right words for the right audience and all that. How do these lies square? Why has there been no acknowledgement for that lie? I mean, if I came here saying "I have fought for the civil rights of African-Americans for decades!" and someone uncovered me screaming the n-word left and right across the internet, how would I be taken? Not seriously, right? I mean, there'd be some suspicions, at least. But he says "Well, faulty data and stuff," and all is forgiven!

What? Are people freakin kidding me? Faulty data? In the 21st century? The jury was still out on gays being pedophiles?

It's so much horseshit, I cannot believe anyone on this board should have to freak out to put that to the obvious lie it is.

It's too much and shouldn't be happening here.