This piece isn't about the subject of Transgender or even the LGBT
movement. My feelings about those particular subjects should be well
known from these blogs and my other posts. I have friends who
disagree with my position and that is perfectly fine because, unlike
it seems the majority of the world, I can disagree civilly with my
friends and still not range into insults. (Well except maybe in TC's
case, but then it is usually a conscious choice between the two of
us to liven things up and not meant to be harmful.) No, this piece
is more about human nature and expectations thereof.
First let me say I am proud of this young girl. I am proud of her
having the courage to attempt something that has never been done
before and I am proud of her for standing up for herself despite any
harshness that might be directed her way. I am also proud of her
School for allowing this to happen. For a School to allow a TG
student to run for Homecoming Queen despite what was probably
substantial backlash from some parents and church leaders takes a lot
of courage. I am also proud of her classmates since she would have
never become Queen without their votes. (As a side note, I'd also
like to apologize for the very obvious and highly inappropriate joke
that occurred in my head when I first read about a TG student being
voted Homecoming Queen. That has less to do with being insensitive
than the fact that I have a warped mind.)
Whereas I support this girl and the 1000s more like her who are
trying to change the world one step at a time, I do find myself
questioning what she was expecting when she became Queen. She cries
and talks about all of the negativity and backlash that has occurred
as she is surprised that it is happening. Like she expected to be
selected and everything would be both hunky and dorry. I just wonder
what she was thinking.
We live in a country where people get their knickers in a serious
twist when a little boy who was born in America sings the National
Anthem (Twice) just because he was Hispanic. We reside in a nation
where people get peeved off because a young lade from New York wins
Miss America just because she is of Indian Descent. We live in a
land where people get serious diarrhea of the mouth just because
there is a CARTOON show about a little boy who transforms into a
female superhero. (Shezow just in case you haven't heard about it.
It is actually very funny.) So of course the haters, nutjobs and
bigots are going to come out in full force when a TG wins Homecoming
Queen.
Now do I think this is right? Hells no! Would I expect anything
less from the Narrow Minded Nose Breathers that seem to populate the
Twit Zone and other Social Media sites. Double Hells no! I like to
believe that we are slowly moving past such things, but it is very
much a case of two steps forward/one and a half steps back. She
stood up for what she believes in. She fought for what she thought
was right. (Okay it was just Homecoming Queen, but it is still
important to most High Schoolers.) She should be commended for that,
but to expect anything more than hate and derision from most people
out there is a little silly. It shouldn't be, but it is.
As a closing note, I was (as usual) vaguely amused by all of the
comments where people were saying things like “Voicing my opinion
is now hate speech?” etc. Hey, Morons! Everyone has the right to
civilly express their displeasure over any subject. It is called the
1st Amendment. (Or as I like to call it, Fred.) The
people who have this girl crying didn't express civil opinions.
They cursed her and derided her. They mocked her harshly. There is
a big difference between saying, “I disagree with the Transgender
movement and do not personally believe that Gender/Sexual
Orientation” is determined by biology” and saying...well pretty
much anything that has appeared on the WBC protest signs.
I truly hope that we will change our bigoted ways in the future. We
have seen it happen in the past with the Civil Rights movement so it
is possible. If it happens it is because more and more people like
this Homecoming Queen have the courage to stand up and don a sparkly
tiara despite the criticism and hate that might come.
End of Rant
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