I can debate LGBT rights all day. I can converse about why it’s important to treat everyone equally, I can argue compassion and open mindedness until I am blue in the face and my blood pressure is at a steady boil, but no one’s mind can be changed with only words. The heart is only opened with experience.
I watched this interview between Brooke Baldwin of CNN, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, and Jennifer Chrisler of the Family Equality Council. Jennifer invites Tony to break bread with her partner and their children to hopefully open his heart to the fact that LGBT families are no different than those who oppose same sex marriage. She makes an excellent point that she may not change his mind, but perhaps she might persuade him to tone down the negative media rhetoric. I hadn’t thought about it before, but in our debates, especially in the media, about LGBT marriage and same sex parents, no one ever thinks about how their words will affect the millions of children being raised by gay parents. It can’t be easy for a child with two moms or two dads to listen to adults tell the public that their family is wrong, immoral, indecent, and unworthy of the protections we take for granted.
Just some food for thought in the national discussion on marriage rights.
Camicia Bennett: Founder of The Well Written Woman, Florida Native and cerebral creature, she loves her husband, yoga, red wine, potty humor, swearing superfluously and putting hats on her dog. If given her druthers she’d be surfing the web and writing randomness from someplace sunny and tropical whilst sipping her favorite vino. Oh wait, that’s exactly what she does.You can find her tweetingincessantly or randomly sharing her own brand of slightly pretentious propaganda at her personal blog.
“We may not be able to change minds, but we can change the tone of the conversation.” I love that thought and absolutely believe it to be true from my own experience. I grew up in a very conservative Christian household, but having gone out on my own to college and then settling in Chicago, my heart and attitude have changed drastically from intolerance and misunderstanding to one of respect. I’ve learned that no matter what my beliefs about marriage are according to my faith, it is not my place to use the government to infringe on anyone else’s right to establish their own form of family. I was only able to draw this conclusion by allowing myself to build real relationships to people who believe differently than I do. It’s amazing how much more stable common ground is than standing on an idealistic soapbox.
Agreed!! Thank you!!!
I’ve often been criticized for “allowing” people of an opposing view to “stay on my Facebook.” Why wouldn’t I? I may hate my cousin’s racism, but he’s still my cousin and I love him. Maybe seeing some of my friends will help him to see “those people” as human beings. Find commonality. People fear what they don’t know. Let’s get to know before we hate.
http://outtodinner.org/
Word. I have the same problem lol! Also I love the Out To Dinner site!!!!