Attacks by gay people, on other gay people

[allanrbrts]

I'm a member of the Empowering Spirits Foundation, have attended two of their events, and really see value in what they are doing to advance GLBT rights.

I was shocked today to learn that a few gay individuals joined their Facebook page solely to trash other gay people for not being "gay enough." I saw some of the comments and was horrified.

Some may not agree with ESF, HRC, EQCA, or the many other LGBT organizations, but we have to realize they are all working to advance GLBT rights...just through different methods. If you disagree with their methods, then join another one you agree with.

A gay person who is trashing other gays though just because they have a differing viewpoint is the same thing as a right-wing fundamentalist trashing gay people. It's shallow-minded and goes against the very respect we are seeking for our differing viewpoints.

Just curious of your thoughts.

Here is the letter that went out today:

http://www.facebook.com/empoweringspirits
Yesterday a small group of connected individuals, who collectively feel the Empowering Spirits Foundation’s purpose isn’t worthwhile, chose to attack with hurtful anti-gay rhetoric both ESF and its members through the comments section of a story posted on our Facebook fanpage and via electronic messaging.

While ESF can certainly handle all the attacks thrown our way, when the attacks turn to our members, ESF has no choice but to act in defense of those members.

ESF is building bridges with people outside the LGBT community and bringing together a wide coalition of people working together to improve the world around us, all in order to dispel the LGBT stereotypes that are pervasive across the country. Instead of changing the laws, ESF is striving to change the hearts and minds of the voters that are generally ignored by the existing LGBT organizations. To attack ESF or our members demonstrates a clear desire to keep people apart, rather than bring them together, and such spirit of divisiveness isn’t welcome.

We attempted to communicate with these individuals, but they have refused to tone down their rhetoric, and because of that, ESF has taken the regrettable step of removing these individuals from this fan page.

The ESF fan page is meant to serve as an educational tool to share news articles affecting the LGBT community, a messaging tool for our service projects, and an outlet for people to share their opinions, however different they may be. It is our hope that the expression of those opinions be constructive, and not destructive….though if they become personal, then action will be taken.

We may not always agree, but our discourse should remain civil.

A. Latham Staples
President & CEO

[stray cat]

1. Isn't that the case when people out some one - assuming the person they are outing really is gay