Why We Fight discussion

Here's the notes from the "Why We Fight" discussion from Tuesday's meeting.

Why We Fight
-To make our voices heard
-Because I feel that love if the highest good a person can experience, and to tell someone that they are doing it wrong is the most ridiculous and cruel oppression imaginable
-To break down systemic privileges
-For the family I have and the family I want to have
-So I feel comfortable around my friends
-So I can start a family one day
-Because everyone deserves to be treated equally
-To break down stereotypes
-For the integrity of the constitution
-Because all people are created equal and should be treated that way
-Because, having grown up in a conservative house, hating who I was, I feel obligated to educated people on gay issues
-Because you should follow your heart!
-Because I think traditional religious values should not mix with government
-Because everyone should have equal rights
-I don’t think anyone should be judged or belittled for who they love
-“My silences have not protected me, and your silence will not protect you.” –Audrey Lord
-For others’ rights and for my own
-To teach younger generation
-Fairness and justice
-Didn’t have a chance to fight for queer rights in high school
-I fight so that I can have all options on the table
-Don’t want anyone to have to live through what I did
-To build up the community
-To bring allies and queer people together because a support network is important
-For comfort, security, and peace of mind
-Because if we aren’t interested in our own rights, who will be?
-I fight because everyone deserves freedom, equality, respect, and to always feel good, safe, happy, and loved.
-At my HS one year the purpose of the Day of Silence was “broadened” to be less “controversial”. Frankly, that kind of pissed me off. Also, being queer myself and having a Trans brother doesn’t hurt. I fight now because I’ve never had an opportunity before.
-I fight because I grew up in a very accepting community. The community was so accepting that it was so accepting that it was not until 6th grade that I realized people were persecuted for loving who they wanted to. I want the children of the future to grow up like I did, but without ever having to feel like they can’t be who they are because of other people.
-I fight because I want to be able to feel comfortable being gay in public without fear of being judged.
-To empower people who grew up in fear. Coming from a conservative Middle Eastern background I feel like I finally have the chance to voice my concern for people’s freedom.
-I fight because equality makes sense, and because I feel it’s the best way to educated closed-minded people J
-Because everyone should be treated equally
-I fight to break down injustices within our own (LGBT) community
-To help those whose voices have been silenced
-Matthew Shepard
-To offer everyone a chance at liberty
-I grew up around homophobic friends and family and my brother recently came out as gay. I’m here for the learning experience and to learn more about my identity
-Because the most dangerous element in society is IGNORANCE and to make changes and create space for “all of us” we have to “fight”

Who is affected?
-Everyone. The more hate there is in the world, the more chance you will be hated.
-Younger siblings: “The thing I find wrong with the Bible is that it says it’s bad to be gay. But how can it be bad to be gay is gay means happy?”

How do we fight?
-Without understanding the other side’s reasoning, you can’t hope to persuade them
-Tell your friends and family
-Make sure you’re there for people in the community
-One act of defiance can make all the difference for someone
-There is no one way, but propaganda and protesting really have large impacts on different people-Put a face to the word “gay”, “Trans”, etc
-Listen and be receptive, answer questions

What do you need to keep you going, make you feel safe, etc?
-A smile
-Support
-Knowing that there are people out there who care
-Educated
-Positive reinforcement
-Ally ribbons!
-Say hi, check in
-All-inclusiveness
-Learn names
-Call people out for language: be an Ally!


Have anything you want to add? This list is by no means complete and is always growing a changing.