[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by Joe Brummer

Gay rights activists today could get peace with Church folks if they made the choice for nonviolence, civil disobedience and peace but instead many have chosen violence which anti-gay religious groups will use against us to show that “gays are violent”. Everyone looses when violence is used. How I could get this message around the USA to every homo out there so they choose nonviolence, learn nonviolence, and protest in nonviolent ways? Someone please tell me.

» Thom says: ☛I have not heard of a lot of “Violent” protests by Gay activists. Except maybe a few individuals who choose to fight and defend themselves against a drunken mob, I don’t know of any instances where a Gay Activist went out of her, his, or xer way to retaliate against a straight group or organization!? The Riots of the 60's, Compton’s of San Francisco and Stonewall Inn, were spontaneous events that just happen to have people who could shape the events to effect. I would appreciate a list of such news reports, so they can bring me up to date on that.

My knowledge of history is still rather limited in most respects, including Gay Activism. As far as I know, every Gay Activist organization, from Daughters of Bilitis and Mattachine to the Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Association. Unless we are to consider a ZAP as a violent action … and I don’t think it is any more violent than a march on Washington, I can think of nothing.

I would honestly appreciate such news. The worst thing that can happen to a group is overwhelming feelings of persecution and isolation. Holding together, and seeing things as true as we can are better.

Addressing your plea: I can speak from personal experience, a thought can give rise to a word or an action, even changes in one’s environment. Until an individual can be sure that they can face a drunken mob or an entrenched politician or minister without so much as fear in their heart (fear can give rise to anger, which can give rise to hate), they should either select their weapon or walk/run away. We who have dedicated ourselves to the nonviolent approach to civil dissent cannot force anyone else to take this path. We can persuade, and help them when they make the choice, but never force them. That could lead to double violence; first to the dissident by us for forcing them into a way they are not ready for; then by themselves for the guilt and shame they have while they fight feelings they don’t really want to fight.

Let us take care with “ought’s” and “should’s” and “must’s” when we are counseling, even our own souls on a matter. Living someone else’s life for them is the surest path to despotism.

Well, that is how I think on this subject.