Tomorrow is Spirit Day. A few years back, I changed my profile pic to purple and linked to resources to help stop bullying of persons in the alphabet soup (LGBTQI+). Within a month, our family was firmly pushed out of a local homeschool group. It saddened me greatly (our kids were also heartbroken), and also lit a giant fire under my butt. There was so much fear around being associated with a family who openly supported equal rights, kindness, love and support of all people. I realized the conversation had to continue, and I was going to keep speaking. I once strongly supported an institution that *still* (just checked) has a section in the handbook that says you can receive disciplinary action if you so much as participate in any activity of an LGBTQI+ advocacy group. Meaning, if you turn your profile pic purple tomorrow and say, Stop hurting people! you might be in trouble with the administration ... by choosing to align with a group that may not reflect all of your beliefs, but you can agree with them on, This is not okay and has to change because humans! So, I keep talking about it. A LOT. Hoping people will question where these lines are drawn. Because I once did not have all the information, I once did not truly understand, and I once made horrible assumptions not based on any truth or humans in my life. Tomorrow I am standing, once again, to say, Stop hurting people. I am encouraging friends, family and strangers to take some time this week and question some assumptions. Perhaps be brave and call someone you know and say, Help me understand you better, and help me understand any ways I might be hurting you or someone else. And only listen. Even if its hard. Especially if its hard. Learn. Learn from those who are living it. Today I want to focus on those who are transgender. You have my undying support to live out your lives however you choose. I cant wait for the day we all chuckle that we ever bothered to discuss your bathroom or dressing room choices. I have the urge to apologize for the many ways I have used hurtful language over the years, however I wanted to show love and respect. So, I kept asking and allowed myself to be redirected (thank you to those of you who did it so lovingly, even when my words stung). I know better now, so I do better. Going purple tomorrow!
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:14:53 +0000
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