On the showing of the “pride flag, and appropriate activism.

[Valjean]

Homosexuality ia commonly observed in birds. Maybe the Society was just acknowledging this.

 

[Father Heathen]

Maybe it's to honor a couple of gay birds. *grin*

Anyways it's ridiculous on how organizations try so hard to be hip and in on the latest social media fads.

Freedom, rights, equality, and justice are fads?

 

[YmirGF]

Your dismissive and condescending response.

What I am trying to say is the reporting of this problem is far more than the actuality.

Sure, let's pretend that bigotry (and thus hostile and discriminatory behavior) isn't common among Christian conservatives in the U.S. (especially the insular enclaves of rural backwaters), or that it isn't a problem.

What I am pushing back against is that the "gay" community needs any special attention or protection these days -- at all. I'm not buying it.
What I am running into nowadays is a "staight" community that is tripping over itself to be allies to a group that no longer needs allies.

 

[SalixIncendium]

What I am trying to say is the reporting of this problem is far more than the actuality.

How much experience do you have speaking openly about your gender identity in the Bible Belt?

 

[Debater Slayer]

What do you make of this? Is it not inappropriate to show the “pride flag” within such a context? Is this a case of misplaced and inappropriate activism? Your thoughts and discussion please.

What I make of it is that it's a sign of a healthy society and legal system when a business or organization can publicly express its values, especially when those values are for equal rights.

Then again, I'm viewing this from the lens of having lived in heavily conservative, theocratic societies my whole life, so I realize that what I see as a significantly valuable expression of freedom may not be seen as such by everyone else.

 

[Audie]

So if I have $100 and give you $10, is it correct to say that now have fewer money in my pocket?

Condescending and dismissive is cool if you do it?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I suspect that, in today's political environment, many in the LGBT+ community feel themselves to be in the crosshairs. I am more than pleased to see "not here, and not by us" symbols cropping up in response.

 

[Zwing]

Sure, let's pretend that bigotry (and thus hostile and discriminatory behavior) isn't common among Christian conservatives in the U.S. (especially the insular enclaves of rural backwaters), or that it isn't a problem.

This is why I say that for a given Xtian church to display a pride flag is entirely appropriate, as it sends a meaningful message to people who might be homosexual. Christian doctrine, based upon certain bits of scripture within the Pauline texts, has ever been opposed to homosexuality, to the extent of calling it “an/the abomination”. For a church to fly the pride flag sends the message that “this is not our understanding of God’s will”. I see no such history of such beliefs from the Audubon Society, though, which is my point here.

 

[Father Heathen]

What I am trying to say is the reporting of this problem is far more than the actuality.

What I am pushing back against is that the "gay" community needs any special attention or protection these days -- at all. I'm not buying it.

The rainbow flag also represents trans people, who are definitely the current targets of a political witch hunt (and to a lesser extent drag queens, who are usually gay men). Both have been around forever, but only in recent years has the pearl clutching intensified.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Condescending and dismissive is cool if you do it?

Interesting that you choose to deflect rather than simply answer the question.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Hey all. I had an experience earlier today which was a bit disturbing to me. I had occasion to stop at the local Audubon society center (Audubon - Wikipedia), and was surprised to encounter two so-called “pride flags” (the banner supporting homosexual rights) being displayed on the premises, while there are no other flags in evidence. My personal opinion about homosexuality is that it is no big deal, ever being an occasional natural occurrence in the population, and that in any case sexuality is a personal issue which should have no bearing on day-to-day social interaction.

I support the idea that homosexuals shouldn’t be discriminated against, and to that end I support the showing of the pride flag where doing so is appropriate and meaningful. An example of this is the showing of that banner by a welcoming Christian church; since Christianity has a history of anti-homosexual rhetoric and action, such a showing sends the message that “this particular church welcomes you”, and this justifies the flag being flown within that context. I can, however, see no similar justification for the “pride flag” to be flown on the premises of an environmental/naturalist center. Is there some history of environmental centers discriminating against homosexuals, of which I am unaware, and which might be said to justify such a showing, especially where no other flags, including the American flag, are flown?

I sought out an Audubon staff member, that I might express my feeling of impropriety to context. I was told by her that the flags were being shown to express support for “gay rights”. I responded that I didn’t think there to exist any supposition that the Audubon Society or any other environmental organization sought to discriminate against homosexuals or otherwise abrogate such “gay rights”. I was then favored with the spectacle of witnessing the woman shrugging her shoulders and saying, “well, that’s what we do here”. I then said to her that “Jews have faced quite a bit discrimination in this country and in all countries where they have represented a diasporic presence, why don’t you fly an Israeli flag as well? For that matter, why don’t you show an American flag?” Again, I was favored with the shrug, and a hearty “I got nothin’ for ‘ya”.

What do you make of this? Is it not inappropriate to show the “pride flag” within such a context? Is this a case of misplaced and inappropriate activism? Your thoughts and discussion please.

Maybe it's just a woman thing. I've noticed that women love festooning everything in rainbows. It's obsessive.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

What I am trying to say is the reporting of this problem is far more than the actuality.

What I am pushing back against is that the "gay" community needs any special attention or protection these days -- at all. I'm not buying it.
What I am running into nowadays is a "staight" community that is tripping over itself to be allies to a group that no longer needs allies.

That is only one letter in LGBTQ+.

 

[Zwing]

I'd like flags to raise awareness of how
Americans would take one look and think
I dont speak English, then say they cant understand me when I do.
Another for past and present " systemic"
anti asian discrmination.

Yes, that seals it. I am going to file a lawsuit on Monday morning to force the Audubon Society to display an “Asian pride” flag and that “policey pride” flag as well, alongside the “pride flag”! If we are all going to show support in such an overt way, then we must take all measures to appear unbiased.

 

[YmirGF]

How much experience do you have speaking openly about your gender identity in the Bible

So, unless I have spoken in the American south about this then my opinion is irrelevant? Seriously?

 

[Father Heathen]

This is why I say that for a given Xtian church to display a pride flag is entirely appropriate, as it sends a meaningful message to people who might be homosexual. Christian doctrine, based upon certain bits of scripture within the Pauline texts, has ever been opposed to homosexuality, to the extent of calling it “an/the abomination”. For a church to fly the pride flag sends the message that “this is not our understanding of God’s will”. I see no such history of such beliefs from the Audubon Society, though, which is my point here.

How do you feel about people or places displaying pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness?

 

[Audie]

Interesting that you choose to deflect rather than simply answer the question.

That what you just did.

And I doubt very much you wanted an answer.

Regardless, you will never get another response.

 

[YmirGF]

That is only one letter in LGBTQ+.

Ah, that co-opted group that represents no one?

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

So, unless I have spoken in the American south about this then my opinion is irrelevant? Seriously?

No, but it is your opinion. That is all.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Ah, that co-opted group that represents no one?

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[SalixIncendium]

So, unless I have spoken in the American south about this then my opinion is irrelevant? Seriously?

When did I suggest your opinion is irrelevant?

I am merely offering that your opinion may be based on a limited perspective. Do you think a gay man who lives in the Bible Belt and has been beaten, shunned, and driven out of that part of the country would share in your opinion?