Where are you?

[robert eggleton]

If your total life is GLBT, why so egocentric? Sure, there are lots of important issues there, apologetically, I must confront. If that's your only cause, all things considered, it diminishes those associated with GLBT. It's a matter of credibility. Why should anyone listen to the voices of exclusively self-serving?

Rarity from the Hollow -- a fun novel that raises funds to prevent child abuse. Please get on board.

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by robert eggleton

If your total life is GLBT, why so egocentric? Sure, there are lots of important issues there, apologetically, I must confront. If that's your only cause, all things considered, it diminishes those associated with GLBT. It's a matter of credibility. Why should anyone listen to the voices of exclusively self-serving?

Perhaps I am a little dim right now. It's been a tough week. But could I ask you flesh out your statements/questions a little. I am just not sure what you are getting at. Again, I apologize if it's just my inability to grasp what you are saying.

Andy

[u-dog]

Yeah Bob ! flesh it out some. Just for the record, The only thing I've read from you is news about your own book. That focus is a little narrow too. Perhaps you could share what's important to you and a little about yourself?

[TigerXero]

I think he's asking: If you're GLBT, and the only [social?] issue you're pursuing is GLBT ones, then you're being selfish, and who should listen to you then.

Well, for one, I don't know enough about other issues or am affected enough them, so that's why this is the only big thing I'm pursuing and reseraching, etc. (that being GLBT issues). I know this was an issue with the faculty at my high school when we were talking to them in order to have the Day of Silence hosted at our school (a day protesting GLBT discrimination, etc). One of the questions raised was why this issue, or what are you doing aobut other things (other forms of discrimination).

For one, I think it's wrong for someone to make that point if they aren't focusing or doing anything about these injustices that they see. I also don't see how some people expect those of us focusing on one issue to focus on every issue.

My response to the school faculty was that we were only a small group of kids, so if we wanted to really focus on other issues, we'd need more people to join us. Also, we said we believed these other issues were important, but GLBT discrimination is one that we witnessed the most. We would be happy to focus on other issues, but we aren't the "experts" in those areas. Thsoe who are affected in other ways (for example, racial or gender discrimination) need to join us so we can bring those issues to the surface. If everyone can focus on some issue, then more could be done, but since only a few want to put time and energy into a cause, you have to choose which one you'll pursue. Also, if you're so concerned about what we're not focusing on, join us and do something about it... grumble, grumble...


I guess you could point out that most people focus on their own interests AS WELL AS something that impacts them and is of importance to them. Rather than divide and decentralize our resources, we focus on one issue (even though that comes across as selfish).

[u-dog]

Bob,

The fact is that GLBT rights are not going to become a reality unless SOMEBODY fights for them.

Straight people (even the ones who like us and are willing to stand with us) are unlikely to fight for them if WE do not ... stand... for ourselves.

There are evil forces abroad in the land who would like to use us for their own nefarious political purposes that go far beyond the issues surrounding GLBT people, so when we focus on this "issue" we are in fact engaging in a broader collection of issues.

Dave

PS:

I am also concerned about Darfur, the Iraq war fiasco, and Global warming

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by robert eggleton

If your total life is GLBT, why so egocentric? Sure, there are lots of important issues there, apologetically, I must confront. If that's your only cause, all things considered, it diminishes those associated with GLBT. It's a matter of credibility. Why should anyone listen to the voices of exclusively self-serving?

Rarity from the Hollow -- a fun novel that raises funds to prevent child abuse. Please get on board.

I agree with you whole heartedly. Praise God for people like the Lawsons, who fought for civil rights and are now fighting for LGBT rights as well as workers rights and housing rights.

The Catholic Worker has fed the hungry for over 70 years. Many Catholic Workers are actively opposing the war in Iraq and the torture of the prisoners in Guantanamo.

We are in this together and until we comprehend that, there will be no victories for any of us.

kara

[BrianB]

Originally Posted by robert eggleton

If your total life is GLBT, why so egocentric? Sure, there are lots of important issues there, apologetically, I must confront. If that's your only cause, all things considered, it diminishes those associated with GLBT. It's a matter of credibility. Why should anyone listen to the voices of exclusively self-serving?

Rarity from the Hollow -- a fun novel that raises funds to prevent child abuse. Please get on board.

Perhaps it's as simple as this. A person can give of their time, talent and money to many separate causes and have a small effect or a person can concentrate their resources on one or two causes and have a much greater effect. Besides, I doubt if most people's life is GLBT. Perhaps it is just the nature of this website because it is focused on a single goal...to end spiritual violence against GLBT folks by non-violent means.

[ladyinred]

I tend to focus on civil rights in general, the environment and human rights all over. I agree with Kara as well on the Iraq war. The poor and middle class here in America I also feel are getting the short end of the stick. I also stand up for war vets, because after reading that 1 million are homeless at any given time that was a shock to me, and they are also getting the short end of the stick, when VA benefits are being cut and they need help, also for our troops and their families who are going through some major hardships as well.
People with disabilities and our elderly are on my list too because many live in poverty and our elderly and disabled are vulnerable when they have to go without medication or are not having their needs met in other ways. How about being older and disabled, one woman I helped because she lived in poverty and didn't have an air conditioning unit, only hot fans blowing on her in over 100 degree weather. Finding one was heck because most of the churches in her area didn't have the resources to help her, and the ones in the wealthier areas, were like,"She's not a member of our congregation,sorry".......When I finally was able to locate the funds it was through a gay church.

Homeless people are often vulnerable and many have mental illness and there are those who don't have the resources or funds to get help. Want to live on the streets? Being on a very limited budget myself, I only have limited resources to help them, but a few bucks from my pockets will go to someone if they need it.Plus instead of garage sales, I usually donate stuff or give it away to people who may need them. I've even donated clothing overseas.(Many countries have a large portion of their population who live in poverty)
Also what you fail to recognize is many people on this forum who stand for GLBT rights, are also helping other people in many ways. Read some of their comments.They just don't stand for LGBT rights, they are doing things to help others, some work with troubled and abused children for example...I would hardly accuse them of being self serving.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by robert eggleton

If your total life is GLBT, why so egocentric? Sure, there are lots of important issues there, apologetically, I must confront. If that's your only cause, all things considered, it diminishes those associated with GLBT. It's a matter of credibility. Why should anyone listen to the voices of exclusively self-serving?

Rarity from the Hollow -- a fun novel that raises funds to prevent child abuse. Please get on board.

Why did you post this note? As far as I can ever recall seeing, this is your first post on this forum not ENTIRELY about promoting your book. You suddenly blast in insulting a group that includes some of the most selfless, caring, loving individuals I've ever had the privilege to meet and call them "exclusively self-serving"?!?! That their entirely lives are GLBT - what does that mean, to have a life BE GLBT?? GLBT breakfast in the morning??

If you want to discuss activism around other issues, look around, you'll find we discuss a variety of things here. But don't blast in with a laundry list of assumptions and insults. Is it supposed to make us want to read your book????

[d_pedr]

I've been reading various posts, and have learnt a lot about balance.

There are posts about homelessness - and the disproportionate number of homeless young people who are GBLT.

This may seem obvious, as some are chucked out, some run away from home due to enforced 'therapy' etc. But It hadn't occurred to me, until I'd read some of the other threads.

The same issues affect GBLT people, as others, but not necessarily proportionately. Those that see GBLT people as 'outsiders', aren't going to support their needs, so some focus is needed.

One archbishop said that 'Christianity is the only club for the benefit of non-members', and certainly here in the UK, the GBLT community is at best ignored, at worst attacked by many of those who could really show God's love by getting along side them.

Matthew 25:35,36. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

So I suppose I'm saying, keep the focus, and keep open minded.

love in Christ

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by d_pedr

I've been reading various posts, and have learnt a lot about balance.

Non-sequitur: I just love having someone here who speaks the Queen's English. As opposed to the rest of us, who are just English-speaking Queens. [Ba dum ching!]