Pride is Not A Controversial Community on Vocal

Well said. Our identity is not controversial. The fact that this is still considered the case for many is proof that ‘Pride’ is a needed community. Representation matters, and our stories matter. I’m so sorry you and your family had to go through that. We are not alone in our struggles, and the community helps to illustrate that.

Awesome and well said. I made a different argument against such a community on Vocal in the comments section of that piece. But yours is far more relevant. Which makes sense, because you’re an insider and I’m not

Well said and I could not agree more! ❤️

The homophobia is increasing again, so we need a controversial safe space for us. A place where we can discuss openly, controversial and out of sight of homophobia. We are threaded and we have to figure out what we can do to change it. We are causing some of their fears and we should be able to discuss all issues. Here in Germany the LGBTIQ+ community is far away from being a safe haven for some of us, lots of bullying and shaming of all kinds going on. But most of all we need to show the world we are human beings. (somehow weird and pity that it is not logical to all mankind). Diversity can create a strength, that we really need in the years to come to face what will be thrown at us (again).

As someone who is omnisexual in a county that barely accepts people who are gay, the only people that I feel safe talking to about my sexuality are close family members and some online friends. It’s nice to have somewhere to go to if I want to talk about that part of my life. Like you said, it shouldn’t be controversial because it’s just a part of who we are. Unfortunately, certain people have made that not the case in the “real world”, so it’s good to have places like Vocal where we can find a community. Thank you for sharing your perspective and experiences with us.

Brilliantly put! Thank you for this much needed response! As a bisexual woman from Mexico with a genderfluid spouse, I can relate! We live in the UK, so either way we look is looking back at us with judgement. All of this needs to be said, so thanks again 🏳️‍🌈🩷💜💙x

You're right. Pride is not controversial. I haven't seen that article you refer to (and have no intention of reading it), but I am sorry that it hurt you. This was an excellent, well-thought out response.

I'm not against a Faith Community, either, so long as it's about sharing beliefs & learning about others with grace & compassion. But if it becomes about embracing some while excluding others, judging or condemning, I'm against it. And I'm an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church. Our son was treated by others as gay long before he accepted it about himself & actually came out. One of the experiences he had which continues to haunt is that his freshman year of high school, the other boys on the track team would not allow him to shower after practice. Ignorance & fear. It took a couple more years before they got to know him well enough to accept him for he was. His senior year he won the right to invite his boyfriend to high school prom. I could not have been prouder of him. That there is controversy surrounding the Pride Community says absolutely nothing about either it or any of its members. It says a whole lot about those who would treat & restrict them in ways they would never countenance for "one of their own". And for those who do so in the name of Christ, it demonstrates just how far we have yet to go to understand what it means, "to love your neighbor as yourself."

Extremely well said ❤️

Love to you, your husband and your children. I was surprised the other day to be asked at a job interview whether I ‘had a problem’ working with gay people. Anyone who did yet applied for a job in a London theatre is not only homophobic but pretty f******g stupid! Love is love 🏳️‍🌈 let’s keep it that way

I'm sorry that You've experienced such horrid instances of homophobia. I do hope that the lady from the Heat Energy Assistance Program was only sighing because You were fiancés at the time and (maybe I don't know (if it makes a difference or not)) not officially married, and not because she's anti-gay. J., I never knew You gay until I saw a Facebook post You made awhile back. Well, that and another different article from You. You're just a decently chill guy.

Agreed and so well said. As a queer person all I want to do is live my life with my partner without it being a "thing". Inherently politicizing queer identities is what leads to further oppression.

Jim, you are my friend. You don't know just how much I respect and admire you. I love you for your sensitivity and your integrity. I know from what I feel in my heart that you are a good and honest person. I apologize for any misunderstanding. I meant no harm whatsoever. I could have used different words instead of controversial. I support you 100%. I always have and always will.

thanks for sharing this. as a queer, medically transitioned trans-masculine person, i couldn't agree more. tired of my identity being deemed controversial and having policy made that restricts my ability to care for myself and live a full life.

Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. I do think there is room for all communities. Pride has already proven its importance. Between the two communities in question, I do agree that faith has the potential of being the most biased because let’s face it, Some/most religions are not inclusive to pride’s lifestyle and will therefore, at some point express their disapproval of it. Maybe not because they think it’s wrong but because their faith has taught them that it’s not the way of their God, their beliefs. For me, the obvious and logical connection that God ( if you believe) loves everyone no matter who they are, lies in the fact that Being all powerful and all knowing means that you know the future outcome of your creations. Its not like a god would sit there wondering where they went wrong in the process and maybe should go back to the drawing board. Isn’t that absurd? “God Hates” is an oxymoron. Two words that don’t belong together. Sorry for the rant. It’s unbelievable to me that this is so hard to realize. Thanks again for sharing this important topic of discussion. I do believe the faith community would have some amazing benefits as long as we don’t push our beliefs and argue about the contradictions between separate faiths. Pride is here to stay. And like the title says ‘Is not controversial’.

<3 I stand with you, Jim.

I am a Christian and would love a "faith" community to express my thoughts, feelings, values in a responsible manner. Many people today feel that Christianity is controversial. So, I can see your point, too. Anytime that anyone differs in perception or viewpoint, there is a chance of it becoming a controversy, unfortunately. Let's all just take a deep breath and stand up for one another, especially on this platform. We really can't be "free" until we do that. Having these platforms gives us ALL a chance of better understanding different viewpoints and perceptions, and learning to respect one another. I, for one AM DESPERATE to understand more about one of my family members, who is a member of your pride community. I will admit having a hard time wrapping my almost 70 year old mind around the fact of the matter. I don't hate or reject them for a minute...just need to understand. I'm sure some don't understand why I chose to follow Christ, either...but would love the opportunity to answer questions and have honest discussions. And to clarify, it's my belief that I don't pay anybody's bills, so what they do in their life, is their business. No matter who the president is. I think MOST Christians feel the same way, although there's always extremists and haters from every group. I don't believe RHC meant any harm, honestly. But it did give you an opportunity to help us see your personal struggles and how it has impacted you and your family. Helps me to have more compassion and empathy.

I just want to offer my support and solidarity as an ally. My life has been enriched by the people I have met from the LGBTQIA+ community. You are never controversial to me.

I am so glad you wrote this 💗🤗, some people can be so ignorant sometimes. I wonder did you have a talk with your kids on this? You and Mark are great parents. You are both compassionate people with a ton of love to share. I used to work at a daycare and we see same sex couples all the time with their kids. I don’t see any controversy in it at all. They kids are proud and happy when they see their parents come pick them up. They give their kids hugs and kisses when the leave and pick them up.

So today the Ohio legislature overruled to Governor in order to deny trans kids gender affirming care. To your point: gender is made political. When I started writing on Vocal any piece that referred to God, faith, church, or prayer was bounced back for editing. That is no longer the case. I agree with you viewpoint regarding a safe space. My fear is that the supervision of content for ensuring that safety is not yet available. AI, spam, porn links, plagiarism: none allowed on Vocal, but things I have seen and reported for removal. I am glad that my piece on becoming a minister was printed last year; it would not have been allowed in 2021. My thought is that four out of the many communities may have been mentioned for one if the reasons bookstores identify these subjects: politics, gender and sexuality, eroticism, and pot; as most heavily stolen. It’s because people are drawn to them. They have strong feelings about them. They are ignorant about what they are all about, they seek to own or ancestry what they don’t (or won’t) understand. I haven’t signed the petition for a Faith Community, and I won’t be upset if it happens. I think it would be fine to have a Faith tag in Books, People, Humans, History, etc. I’d probably use that. It’s just- faith is part of who I am. It’s as much a part of me as your live is for you husband and children. The difference is I am seldom treated harshly or receive hate speech because if it. The same isn’t true of my LGBtQA+ friends and family. And, as Ohio has shown me today, we have a long way to go in ensuring a safe place exists. So no: I don’t believe the Pride Community is controversial, and yes: as a child of an alcoholic family,; I have more aversion to Proof than Potent. The comparison may have been meant as an acknowledgement that ignorance lashes out and creates inflammatory content.. and I’ve seen that in mainstream media. Thankfully, I haven’t seen it in Vocal ( but TBH I haven’t looked for it either). But I do hope I, personally, can be a small nod to the idea that , in it’s own community or not, Faith is not always toxic. Pretty much, that’s one of my main goals in life. J

There's always been room for religion in the world- but suddenly there's space for queer voices and it becomes controversial. Can't just go comparing drugs to someone's identity either. That's just downright silly. Our identity is not controversial. It's not anyone's business but our own. No one goes around saying being straight is controversial. Neither is being our authentic queer selves. Thank you for writing this. I know it takes a strength while also taking a toll when we have to deals with this bs and still defend our rights to exist and have space.

Hear, hear! Beautifully expressed. I’m sorry for the prejudice you’ve faced; I agree with you, love is the least controversial thing I can possibly think of. 💕💕💕

I hear you, I understand why that made you feel this way, and I’m glad that you wrote this… I missed the whole faith community thing because I don’t have any interest in it, but I really hope that the Pride community continues to be a helpful, supportive, and positive space on Vocal.