I have read a fair few pages of this post, and I do understand and do see what everyone's concern is about regarding both this post and the guest blog that was done.
But I as a TRIBBLE person, don't view this in my opinion as a concern, Star Trek Online is a video game for where people and communities alike can come together and have fun in flying, shooting, conversing and blowing up things for hours and hours without end.
Nothing at all in this blog, in this game, or this forum post is suggestion that this pride event is a religious or political push of annoying or shoving things into everyone's face.
Correct that this game isn't rated M, but this game is rate T with as follows, "Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language."
This said, parents and consumer were either aware or knew that "suggestive themes" which is what the "Pride" event is, a "suggestive theme".
And as someone as said before, this is my personal opinion.
I'm sick of hearing stuff like this in games. Especially when a CSM/GM/Whatever-he-is-called was a member of said fleet.
There's many people who are of different backgrounds, race, orientation, etc. who play games to have fun and mix with other people AND IT WORKS FINE. Why do you need to promote something like this in a bloody game?
are we going to see some Christians only, Conservative party or bloody Manchester United march going on in games ? People come online to play games and have fun, online games require you to mix with others and that should be down to the player and said community they join, this SHOULD NOT be promoted by the game developers ffs.
are we going to see some Christians only, Conservative party or bloody Manchester United march going on in games ? People come online to play games and have fun, online games require you to mix with others and that should be down to the player and said community they join, this SHOULD NOT be promoted by the game developers ffs.
Did you not READ the blog post? There's going to be games, contests, prizes, social gatherings. You know, FUN, in an online game environment.
No, it is not. Just because a day doesn't exclusively highlight the fight for equal rights doesn't make it a straight pride event . Every day is people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride. Your black and white view in this regard doesn't really help your otherwise reasonable arguments.
No, it is not. Just because a day doesn't exclusively highlight the fight for equal rights doesn't make it a straight pride event . Every day is people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride. Your black and white view in this regard doesn't really help your otherwise reasonable arguments.
I was attempting to use a little levity.
Perhaps for you, a heterosexual, every day is "people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride" day.
But, for a most members of the LGBT Community every day is a struggle for equality, either consciously or unconsciously.
Do you every have these sorts of days?
"Hide your sexuality from your boss or risk getting fired day"; - This includes not having pictures of your family on your desk.
"Be careful not to show outward signs of affection or risk getting killed day";
I'm talking casual hugs, pecks on the cheek, hand holding in appropriate manners in the same ways straight people do. I am not a fan of overly sexual PDA's by anybody, straight or TRIBBLE.
"Fight with the non-accepting family members of your partner so you can visit them in the hospital or funeral home day";
"I hope my child doesn't get murdered today because he/she wants to be themselves"
Some of us do. EVERY day. Not all of us experience this every day, mind you. But every LGBT person experiences some form of discrimination on a daily basis. Sometimes it's something small, sometimes it's literally life threatening, but it exists.
Before you say "Everybody experiences discrimination or fear every day" be sure and remind yourself that you have far more protections under the law than LGBT people do.
For example, we can be fired for being TRIBBLE in 29 states in the U.S. Not for poor performance. Simply for being TRIBBLE.
Funny how one persons 'Politics', is another's 'Life' ...
There.. fixed it for you.
My "lifestyle" is to try to make enough money to cover the cost of my rent, utilities, and get food to last til the end of the month... with a little cash left over for the fun things in life, like.. going to a movie ever now and then... playing cool games with *generally* cool people... taking care of my soon-to-be husband, and our two dogs.
Such a different "lifestyle" than other people live... I know... :rolleyes:
(this is not a dig at you daveyny... it's just that referring to my "life" as a lifestyle, even when making a point, I feel has to be addressed. There IS no TRIBBLE lifestyle, any more than there is a straight lifestyle..)
After almost fifty-five years of having a host of friends on both sides of the fence, so-to-speak...
(and spending many an occasion climbing back and forth)
I can definitely say that there IS a TRIBBLE Lifestyle...
It includes all the things you've listed above and much more.
Everyone has Their Own Lifestyle...,
Trying to condense what you believe into one all-encompassing description (or in your case, no description at all), is a disservice to each individuals particular way of looking at their world.
There's nothing wrong with having a 'title' for how one chooses to live...
The problem lies in how 'others' use that 'title', to describe you.
STO Member since February 2009. I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born! Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
After almost fifty-five years of having a host of friends on both sides of the fence, so-to-speak...
(and spending many an occasion climbing back and forth)
I can definitely say that there IS a TRIBBLE Lifestyle...
It includes all the things you've listed above and much more.
Everyone has Their Own Lifestyle...,
Trying to condense what you believe into one all-encompassing description (or in your case, no description at all), is a disservice to each individuals particular way of looking at their world.
There's nothing wrong with having a 'title' for how one chooses to live...
The problem lies in how 'others' use that 'title', to describe you.
I agree with most of what you're saying. But personally I don't think there is a 'TRIBBLE lifestyle'. There are many, many, many different lifestyles that people live by (yay for diversity), but I don't think any of them are solely based on sexuality. I will agree that some TRIBBLE people like to 'live it large' an go to parades etc wearing next to nothing, but that in its self is a singular lifestyle, there are also TRIBBLE people like myself who have never attended a TRIBBLE pride event, never worn less than three layers of clothing in public, drink beer and burp theme tunes.... The lifestyle choices don't consist merely of sexuality, especially since sexuality is not a choice but lifestyles are.
I think that's what Daemonheld was meaning. You can't define an entire lifestyle, by one aspect of it.
Join date is wrong, I've actually been around since STO Beta.
True alters don't have a "main". Account wide unlocks for all unique event rewards!!
I agree with most of what you're saying. But personally I don't think there is a 'TRIBBLE lifestyle'. There are many, many, many different lifestyles that people live by (yay for diversity), but I don't think any of them are solely based on sexuality. I will agree that some TRIBBLE people like to 'live it large' an go to parades etc wearing next to nothing, but that in its self is a singular lifestyle, there are also TRIBBLE people like myself who have never attended a TRIBBLE pride event, never worn less than three layers of clothing in public, drink beer and burp theme tunes.... The lifestyle choices don't consist merely of sexuality, especially since sexuality is not a choice but lifestyles are.
I think that's what Daemonheld was meaning. You can't define an entire lifestyle, by one aspect of it.
I'm pleased to announce that Star Army Fleet has just mailed some prizes to Stonewall Fleet that they can give out during the events. I've sent them a Sela action figure, a TOS Romulan Bird of Prey toy, and a D'Deridex Romulan Warbird toy (the latter two are the large ones from Playmates). They are in their original unopened boxes and should be in near-mint condition with some shelf wear to the boxes (the original tape has partially come off on the Warbird box but not a huge deal I think). I encourage everybody to come out and show support and love at this event and see if you can win them! It'll probably be better odds than a lockbox!
Zinc: The universe of Star Trek Online is shaped and changed by the actions of the players...expect to see new planets and races discovered that were unknown the last time you logged in."
If you like dudes? thats cool, i dont care. If you like chicks? thats cool, i dont care. Whatever you do in your life to make you happy, I will support 100%. Just dont talk all this TRIBBLE about "equal" rights. You want "equal" rights? Then "equally" shut the hell up about what colour you are or who you like to have the sex with like the rest of us who just want to live our lives in peace and quite and dont give a frak about what others think. You are TRIBBLE? you are straight? you are black? you are white? Great, no one cares. Just live your life and shut up about it.
I'm pleased to announce that Star Army Fleet has just mailed some prizes to Stonewall Fleet that they can give out during the events. I've sent them a Sela action figure, a TOS Romulan Bird of Prey toy, and a D'Deridex Romulan Warbird toy (the latter two are the large ones from Playmates). They are in their original unopened boxes and should be in near-mint condition with some shelf wear to the boxes (the original tape has partially come off on the Warbird box but not a huge deal I think). I encourage everybody to come out and show support and love at this event and see if you can win them! It'll probably be better odds than a lockbox!
Wow. That is indeed an awesome contribution! Thank you! They would look nice next to my Enterprise D
I feel the need to express something...This event or events is about UNITY..and PRIDE in who or what you are,,be it TRIBBLE,,black white of different ethnicities,,or nationalities,,and the ability to be friends with everyone and to have a fun time..This is not an event to where people are to fight or call other "different" people names to make oneself feel good by making other people feel miserable..When a person or persons do that then they are thinking with an immature mindset or they are just plain being facitious..We are all equal no matter who we are,,Please people,,think outside the box,,Do not be confined by any kind of bigotry or racism,,,If you do then you are only defeating the true nature of things and bringing strife to this world,,and so called real life has enough of it,,Please do not bring it to this game,,,We are one,,lets not act "normal" because no matter how you may look at things there is no such thing as "normal" anymore..Peace to all
I'm pleased to announce that Star Army Fleet has just mailed some prizes to Stonewall Fleet that they can give out during the events. I've sent them a Sela action figure, a TOS Romulan Bird of Prey toy, and a D'Deridex Romulan Warbird toy (the latter two are the large ones from Playmates). They are in their original unopened boxes and should be in near-mint condition with some shelf wear to the boxes (the original tape has partially come off on the Warbird box but not a huge deal I think). I encourage everybody to come out and show support and love at this event and see if you can win them! It'll probably be better odds than a lockbox!
Thanks Wes! We're very grateful for your donation and can't wait to see who wins them!!
This event is not exclusively about homosexuality and yet too many here have allowed their closeted bigotry to jump to that conclusion. It is an event to celebrate the DIVERSITY in our online Community. For the revolutionary depiction of racial and gender diversity in Star Trek. Sadly the majority of the posts made here have proved anything but. It?s truly baffling how ignorantly hateful some people are. Disguising passive aggressive homophobic comments with pseudo-intellectual trolling. ESD zone and test tribble chat have been hijacked with similar politically bigoted views in the recent months. So I was not shocked nor surprised to find it here. No one bats an eyelash at all the macho Hetrosexual men who play buxom female characters, but when a homosexual man writes a blog about "Celebrating Diversity in Star Trek"....... :eek:
I would like to make a personal thankyou to all the real Trekkies that have given this event their support and have understood its true meaning.
-> Freedom of speech should not act as a shield for those who encourage ignorance or incite hatred <-
If you like dudes? thats cool, i dont care. If you like chicks? thats cool, i dont care. Whatever you do in your life to make you happy, I will support 100%. Just dont talk all this TRIBBLE about "equal" rights. You want "equal" rights? Then "equally" shut the hell up about what colour you are or who you like to have the sex with like the rest of us who just want to live our lives in peace and quite and dont give a frak about what others think. You are TRIBBLE? you are straight? you are black? you are white? Great, no one cares. Just live your life and shut up about it.
Thats how we become "equal"
Accept unless you live in one of the 29 states where you can legally be fired, for "liking dudes" .. or "liking chicks". You can also be evicted from your apartment or home. Where you can be told that you cannot see the "dude" or "chick" you "like" in the hospital, because you aren't blood related, or a LEGAL SPOUSE. Or hey, unless you live in one of the states that if you've been with the "dude" or "chick" that you like for say, the last 20+ years, and the object of your affection unfortunately dies... Without extensive legal paperwork (not a simple marriage certificate) the family of said OOF can come in and take anything and everything that belonged to the deceased. What if there are children involved? Well, you're sort of SOL (and I don't mean the solar system).
Is that "equal"? Or if YOU get married, do you have to worry about these things? I'll answer that for you with a resounding, "NO". Why? Because things are NOT equal.
You may not give a damn about what other people do behind closed doors, and I commend you for your forward thinking. Unfortunately, others seem to be way more interested in what I do behind bedroom doors, than even I am... and those people still hold sway over the legal inequality that people *here* are talking about, and *why* the Guest Blog was written in the first place.
Accept unless you live in one of the 29 states where you can legally be fired, for "liking dudes" .. or "liking chicks". You can also be evicted from your apartment or home. Where you can be told that you cannot see the "dude" or "chick" you "like" in the hospital, because you aren't blood related, or a LEGAL SPOUSE. Or hey, unless you live in one of the states that if you've been with the "dude" or "chick" that you like for say, the last 20+ years, and the object of your affection unfortunately dies... Without extensive legal paperwork (not a simple marriage certificate) the family of said OOF can come in and take anything and everything that belonged to the deceased. What if there are children involved? Well, you're sort of SOL (and I don't mean the solar system).
Is that "equal"? Or if YOU get married, do you have to worry about these things? I'll answer that for you with a resounding, "NO". Why? Because things are NOT equal.
You may not give a damn about what other people do behind closed doors, and I commend you for your forward thinking. Unfortunately, others seem to be way more interested in what I do behind bedroom doors, than even I am... and those people still hold sway over the legal inequality that people *here* are talking about, and *why* the Guest Blog was written in the first place.
Perhaps for you, a heterosexual, every day is "people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride" day.
But, for a most members of the LGBT Community every day is a struggle for equality, either consciously or unconsciously.
Do you every have these sorts of days?
"Hide your sexuality from your boss or risk getting fired day"; - This includes not having pictures of your family on your desk.
"Be careful not to show outward signs of affection or risk getting killed day";
I'm talking casual hugs, pecks on the cheek, hand holding in appropriate manners in the same ways straight people do. I am not a fan of overly sexual PDA's by anybody, straight or TRIBBLE.
"Fight with the non-accepting family members of your partner so you can visit them in the hospital or funeral home day";
"I hope my child doesn't get murdered today because he/she wants to be themselves"
Some of us do. EVERY day. Not all of us experience this every day, mind you. But every LGBT person experiences some form of discrimination on a daily basis. Sometimes it's something small, sometimes it's literally life threatening, but it exists.
Before you say "Everybody experiences discrimination or fear every day" be sure and remind yourself that you have far more protections under the law than LGBT people do.
For example, we can be fired for being TRIBBLE in 29 states in the U.S. Not for poor performance. Simply for being TRIBBLE.
Sometimes it may seem pointless to continue to try and educate people who are seemingly brick walls. However, I truly do believe that some people are truly ignorant - as in "Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular: "ignorant of astronomy"." that our push for equality isn't about sex.
You just never know when the message may take. Even in the thickest ice will eventually melt when exposed to the sunlight of truth.
As somebody said earlier, LGBT people, like Straight people, are just trying to live a "life" without oppression, not a "lifestyle".
Sometimes it may seem pointless to continue to try and educate people who are seemingly brick walls. However, I truly do believe that some people are truly ignorant - as in "Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular: "ignorant of astronomy"." that our push for equality isn't about sex.
You just never know when the message may take. Even in the thickest ice will eventually melt when exposed to the sunlight of truth.
As somebody said earlier, LGBT people, like Straight people, are just trying to live a "life" without oppression, not a "lifestyle".
That's exactly why I continue in discussions like this.. constantly. In the hopes that the person I'm talking/typing with (or those within earshot/eyeshot (?) ) Might make some sort of connection... Like a few recent politicians who were severely anti-TRIBBLE.. until a family member came out.... <sigh>
Accept unless you live in one of the 29 states where you can legally be fired, for "liking dudes" .. or "liking chicks". You can also be evicted from your apartment or home. Where you can be told that you cannot see the "dude" or "chick" you "like" in the hospital, because you aren't blood related, or a LEGAL SPOUSE. Or hey, unless you live in one of the states that if you've been with the "dude" or "chick" that you like for say, the last 20+ years, and the object of your affection unfortunately dies... Without extensive legal paperwork (not a simple marriage certificate) the family of said OOF can come in and take anything and everything that belonged to the deceased. What if there are children involved? Well, you're sort of SOL (and I don't mean the solar system).
Is that "equal"? Or if YOU get married, do you have to worry about these things? I'll answer that for you with a resounding, "NO". Why? Because things are NOT equal.
You may not give a damn about what other people do behind closed doors, and I commend you for your forward thinking. Unfortunately, others seem to be way more interested in what I do behind bedroom doors, than even I am... and those people still hold sway over the legal inequality that people *here* are talking about, and *why* the Guest Blog was written in the first place.
Jolan'tru
I dont live in any state. If you want to play this game where we pick and choose where our causes are being oppressed for the benefit of our crusade, im not going to partake. All this leads into is "well women have it worse than gays in traditional islamic cultures" or "blacks have it worse than gays in certain parts of western society" etc etc.
I just dont understand why anyone needs to "celebrate" or take pride in something that you havnt achieved, you just are. I dont feel any pride in being straight or white or male. I dont feel any pride in my culture. None of these things were an achievement that I could take pleasure in, I was born into it. I just dont understand why anyone cares what anyone else does/is sexually, culturally, racially etc etc. Why does anyone of these "labels" matter?
Once again, I really dont care if this pride things happens or not, just as I dont care that the pride parade happens in RL. I just dont get the wanting equality by being unequal.
Saying all that, I do want to say that I do not know any TRIBBLE people. An ex girlfriends friend was a TRIBBLE but I only met her once. I am assuming that humanity is humanity whether you are TRIBBLE or not and that there are the same amount of nice/kind/decent TRIBBLE people as there are non TRIBBLE people and the same amount of awful/mean/terrible TRIBBLE people as non TRIBBLE people. I just dont understand why anyone would care that a man wants a man or woman wants a woman.
Hell, I want a Trill, what does that say about me? Not even the same species.
I dont live in any state. If you want to play this game where we pick and choose where our causes are being oppressed for the benefit of our crusade, im not going to partake. All this leads into is "well women have it worse than gays in traditional islamic cultures" or "blacks have it worse than gays in certain parts of western society" etc etc.
I just dont understand why anyone needs to "celebrate" or take pride in something that you havnt achieved, you just are. I dont feel any pride in being straight or white or male. I dont feel any pride in my culture. None of these things were an achievement that I could take pleasure in, I was born into it. I just dont understand why anyone cares what anyone else does/is sexually, culturally, racially etc etc. Why does anyone of these "labels" matter?
Once again, I really dont care if this pride things happens or not, just as I dont care that the pride parade happens in RL. I just dont get the wanting equality by being unequal.
Saying all that, I do want to say that I do not know any TRIBBLE people. An ex girlfriends friend was a TRIBBLE but I only met her once. I am assuming that humanity is humanity whether you are TRIBBLE or not and that there are the same amount of nice/kind/decent TRIBBLE people as there are non TRIBBLE people and the same amount of awful/mean/terrible TRIBBLE people as non TRIBBLE people. I just dont understand why anyone would care that a man wants a man or woman wants a woman.
Hell, I want a Trill, what does that say about me? Not even the same species.
He wasn't playing the oppression game. He was simply stating that there are many areas left in the United States, and throughout the world, were we don't receive the same treatment as someone else.
We're celebrating 40 years of social progress. We're celebrating the historic steps we have made since the Stonewall Riots. In that much time, we have fought back against tidal waves of oppression and are begging to experience true equality. Pride Parades are celebrations of the progress we have made and how proud of the community we are part of.
I'm sorry you don't feel any pride in your culture. I have huge amounts of pride in TRIBBLE culture. It's one of the most rewarding amazing parts of my life. I can only assume that you've never experienced true oppression because of the "labels" you mention. As a TRIBBLE man, I can tell you, I have and I can proudly say I've over come it at many steps. Sadly, I still don't have equal rights to my peers.
I just dont understand why anyone needs to "celebrate" or take pride in something that you havnt achieved, you just are. I dont feel any pride in being straight or white or male. I dont feel any pride in my culture. None of these things were an achievement that I could take pleasure in, I was born into it. I just dont understand why anyone cares what anyone else does/is sexually, culturally, racially etc etc. Why does anyone of these "labels" matter?
Perhaps you should study history. These TRIBBLE pride events started with a few brave souls daring to appear and public and declare that they were TRIBBLE at a time when homosexual conduct was outlawed most everywhere just as Martin Luther King day celebrations started with blacks risking being beaten, mauled, and lynched as they marched for equal rights.
Most of the people in the US at these parades were not "born into" equality. They had to work for it and they still work for it, whether as activists or simply as voters.
And even if it were some perfect future where homosexuals were treated equally in society and under the law, there is nothing wrong with holding a celebration simply because it is tradition. I would not say to a Jew, "you were not personally enslaved in Egypt, so why do you celebrate Pesach Seder?" I would not say to an American, "you were never bullied by the King of England, so why do you celebrate the Fourth of July?"
I just dont understand why anyone needs to "celebrate" or take pride in something that you havnt achieved, you just are. I dont feel any pride in being straight or white or male. I dont feel any pride in my culture. None of these things were an achievement that I could take pleasure in, I was born into it. I just dont understand why anyone cares what anyone else does/is sexually, culturally, racially etc etc. Why does anyone of these "labels" matter?
They took a choice and were attacked for it. Just the same that if you were attacked over something you did not choose, such as race and nationality, you would naturally develop a sense of pride and determination not to bow to ignorance and bigotry.
I had no interest in participating in this thread originally. I really don't care what goes on on your starbase maps, in your fleet chat, or in groups of friends hanging out on Risa. Not my business really.
It did perturb me a bit to see the attacks on religion from the same community. I'm sure you feel you have your reasons. I can't speak for anyone but myself there, but I feel there is tolerance and love at the core of my beliefs even if I'm lumped into what you all might consider a monstrosity.
In my youth I grew up listening to a band called King's X, and I link one of their songs here because I think it sums things up best.
Regardless of your view on the subject, or any number of controversial topics, this is I believe the best advice:
It did perturb me a bit to see the attacks on religion from the same community. I'm sure you feel you have your reasons. I can't speak for anyone but myself there, but I feel there is tolerance and love at the core of my beliefs even if I'm lumped into what you all might consider a monstrosity.
I am not an expert on all the world's religions, but, I was raised in Christianity and I know that Christ indeed preached tolerance and love. Unfortunately, the most vocal "christians" in America these days are so far removed from the actual teachings of Christ that it is a stretch to even call them Christians, in my opinion.
The so-called "Evangelicals" in America are a dangerous right-wing ideologically driven hate group disguised as a religion that wants to stop forward progress, of any kind, in the United States and the world in general. If you have any doubts that they are a hate group, please google pictures of any rally that they organize and read the signs they hold. They have commandeered Christianity, bastardized it to fit their own purposes, and use it as a battering ram to try and push their radical agenda.
In addition to opposing forward progress for the LGBT Community, they also want to regress the progress that women have made. They claim to want small government, yet they literally want to invade a woman's body. They claim that the Earth is 6000 years old, climate change is not real, and evolution is a "lie from the pits of Hell", despite the clear scientific evidence to the contrary.
I realize that these radicals do not make up the entirety of the Christian faith nor likely even the majority. But, they are the most vocal.
I respect your individual religious beliefs, and would never want to infringe upon them in any way, as long as they don't infringe on other people.
However, I will not tolerate the Bible being used, selectively, as a hammer to stop the world's progress, and I will use the power of my voice and vote to stop it at every opportunity.
Comments
But I as a TRIBBLE person, don't view this in my opinion as a concern, Star Trek Online is a video game for where people and communities alike can come together and have fun in flying, shooting, conversing and blowing up things for hours and hours without end.
Nothing at all in this blog, in this game, or this forum post is suggestion that this pride event is a religious or political push of annoying or shoving things into everyone's face.
Correct that this game isn't rated M, but this game is rate T with as follows, "Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language."
This said, parents and consumer were either aware or knew that "suggestive themes" which is what the "Pride" event is, a "suggestive theme".
And as someone as said before, this is my personal opinion.
So, I have a couple questions:
1. Do you actually want to see other events that celebrate diversity or is this just another attempt to specifically shut down this particular event?
2. What type of diversity is it precisely that you would like to celebrate?
3. How has the promotion of this event harmed you?
There's many people who are of different backgrounds, race, orientation, etc. who play games to have fun and mix with other people AND IT WORKS FINE. Why do you need to promote something like this in a bloody game?
:eek: Oh the shock horror it would cause!
...also a lot of troll feeding, lol.
Every day is straight pride, silly.
Did you not READ the blog post? There's going to be games, contests, prizes, social gatherings. You know, FUN, in an online game environment.
No, it is not. Just because a day doesn't exclusively highlight the fight for equal rights doesn't make it a straight pride event . Every day is people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride. Your black and white view in this regard doesn't really help your otherwise reasonable arguments.
I was attempting to use a little levity.
Perhaps for you, a heterosexual, every day is "people-minding-their-own-business-regardless-of-their-sexual-orientation pride" day.
But, for a most members of the LGBT Community every day is a struggle for equality, either consciously or unconsciously.
Do you every have these sorts of days?
"Hide your sexuality from your boss or risk getting fired day"; - This includes not having pictures of your family on your desk.
"Be careful not to show outward signs of affection or risk getting killed day";
I'm talking casual hugs, pecks on the cheek, hand holding in appropriate manners in the same ways straight people do. I am not a fan of overly sexual PDA's by anybody, straight or TRIBBLE.
"Fight with the non-accepting family members of your partner so you can visit them in the hospital or funeral home day";
"I hope my child doesn't get murdered today because he/she wants to be themselves"
Some of us do. EVERY day. Not all of us experience this every day, mind you. But every LGBT person experiences some form of discrimination on a daily basis. Sometimes it's something small, sometimes it's literally life threatening, but it exists.
Before you say "Everybody experiences discrimination or fear every day" be sure and remind yourself that you have far more protections under the law than LGBT people do.
For example, we can be fired for being TRIBBLE in 29 states in the U.S. Not for poor performance. Simply for being TRIBBLE.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/your-money/protections-for-gays-in-workplace-are-piecemeal.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Can you be fired simply for being straight?
After almost fifty-five years of having a host of friends on both sides of the fence, so-to-speak...
(and spending many an occasion climbing back and forth)
I can definitely say that there IS a TRIBBLE Lifestyle...
It includes all the things you've listed above and much more.
Everyone has Their Own Lifestyle...,
Trying to condense what you believe into one all-encompassing description (or in your case, no description at all), is a disservice to each individuals particular way of looking at their world.
There's nothing wrong with having a 'title' for how one chooses to live...
The problem lies in how 'others' use that 'title', to describe you.
I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born!
Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
I agree with most of what you're saying. But personally I don't think there is a 'TRIBBLE lifestyle'. There are many, many, many different lifestyles that people live by (yay for diversity), but I don't think any of them are solely based on sexuality. I will agree that some TRIBBLE people like to 'live it large' an go to parades etc wearing next to nothing, but that in its self is a singular lifestyle, there are also TRIBBLE people like myself who have never attended a TRIBBLE pride event, never worn less than three layers of clothing in public, drink beer and burp theme tunes.... The lifestyle choices don't consist merely of sexuality, especially since sexuality is not a choice but lifestyles are.
I think that's what Daemonheld was meaning. You can't define an entire lifestyle, by one aspect of it.
Bingo...
Or to put it more succinctly..
I have a life, not a life-style...
Thats how we become "equal"
Wow. That is indeed an awesome contribution! Thank you! They would look nice next to my Enterprise D
Thanks Wes! We're very grateful for your donation and can't wait to see who wins them!!
I would like to make a personal thankyou to all the real Trekkies that have given this event their support and have understood its true meaning.
-> Freedom of speech should not act as a shield for those who encourage ignorance or incite hatred <-
Accept unless you live in one of the 29 states where you can legally be fired, for "liking dudes" .. or "liking chicks". You can also be evicted from your apartment or home. Where you can be told that you cannot see the "dude" or "chick" you "like" in the hospital, because you aren't blood related, or a LEGAL SPOUSE. Or hey, unless you live in one of the states that if you've been with the "dude" or "chick" that you like for say, the last 20+ years, and the object of your affection unfortunately dies... Without extensive legal paperwork (not a simple marriage certificate) the family of said OOF can come in and take anything and everything that belonged to the deceased. What if there are children involved? Well, you're sort of SOL (and I don't mean the solar system).
Is that "equal"? Or if YOU get married, do you have to worry about these things? I'll answer that for you with a resounding, "NO". Why? Because things are NOT equal.
You may not give a damn about what other people do behind closed doors, and I commend you for your forward thinking. Unfortunately, others seem to be way more interested in what I do behind bedroom doors, than even I am... and those people still hold sway over the legal inequality that people *here* are talking about, and *why* the Guest Blog was written in the first place.
Jolan'tru
Thank you for building on my earlier points:
Sometimes it may seem pointless to continue to try and educate people who are seemingly brick walls. However, I truly do believe that some people are truly ignorant - as in "Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular: "ignorant of astronomy"." that our push for equality isn't about sex.
You just never know when the message may take. Even in the thickest ice will eventually melt when exposed to the sunlight of truth.
As somebody said earlier, LGBT people, like Straight people, are just trying to live a "life" without oppression, not a "lifestyle".
That's exactly why I continue in discussions like this.. constantly. In the hopes that the person I'm talking/typing with (or those within earshot/eyeshot (?) ) Might make some sort of connection... Like a few recent politicians who were severely anti-TRIBBLE.. until a family member came out.... <sigh>
Jolan'tru
I dont live in any state. If you want to play this game where we pick and choose where our causes are being oppressed for the benefit of our crusade, im not going to partake. All this leads into is "well women have it worse than gays in traditional islamic cultures" or "blacks have it worse than gays in certain parts of western society" etc etc.
I just dont understand why anyone needs to "celebrate" or take pride in something that you havnt achieved, you just are. I dont feel any pride in being straight or white or male. I dont feel any pride in my culture. None of these things were an achievement that I could take pleasure in, I was born into it. I just dont understand why anyone cares what anyone else does/is sexually, culturally, racially etc etc. Why does anyone of these "labels" matter?
Once again, I really dont care if this pride things happens or not, just as I dont care that the pride parade happens in RL. I just dont get the wanting equality by being unequal.
Saying all that, I do want to say that I do not know any TRIBBLE people. An ex girlfriends friend was a TRIBBLE but I only met her once. I am assuming that humanity is humanity whether you are TRIBBLE or not and that there are the same amount of nice/kind/decent TRIBBLE people as there are non TRIBBLE people and the same amount of awful/mean/terrible TRIBBLE people as non TRIBBLE people. I just dont understand why anyone would care that a man wants a man or woman wants a woman.
Hell, I want a Trill, what does that say about me? Not even the same species.
He wasn't playing the oppression game. He was simply stating that there are many areas left in the United States, and throughout the world, were we don't receive the same treatment as someone else.
We're celebrating 40 years of social progress. We're celebrating the historic steps we have made since the Stonewall Riots. In that much time, we have fought back against tidal waves of oppression and are begging to experience true equality. Pride Parades are celebrations of the progress we have made and how proud of the community we are part of.
I'm sorry you don't feel any pride in your culture. I have huge amounts of pride in TRIBBLE culture. It's one of the most rewarding amazing parts of my life. I can only assume that you've never experienced true oppression because of the "labels" you mention. As a TRIBBLE man, I can tell you, I have and I can proudly say I've over come it at many steps. Sadly, I still don't have equal rights to my peers.
Perhaps you should study history. These TRIBBLE pride events started with a few brave souls daring to appear and public and declare that they were TRIBBLE at a time when homosexual conduct was outlawed most everywhere just as Martin Luther King day celebrations started with blacks risking being beaten, mauled, and lynched as they marched for equal rights.
Most of the people in the US at these parades were not "born into" equality. They had to work for it and they still work for it, whether as activists or simply as voters.
And even if it were some perfect future where homosexuals were treated equally in society and under the law, there is nothing wrong with holding a celebration simply because it is tradition. I would not say to a Jew, "you were not personally enslaved in Egypt, so why do you celebrate Pesach Seder?" I would not say to an American, "you were never bullied by the King of England, so why do you celebrate the Fourth of July?"
They took a choice and were attacked for it. Just the same that if you were attacked over something you did not choose, such as race and nationality, you would naturally develop a sense of pride and determination not to bow to ignorance and bigotry.
It did perturb me a bit to see the attacks on religion from the same community. I'm sure you feel you have your reasons. I can't speak for anyone but myself there, but I feel there is tolerance and love at the core of my beliefs even if I'm lumped into what you all might consider a monstrosity.
In my youth I grew up listening to a band called King's X, and I link one of their songs here because I think it sums things up best.
Regardless of your view on the subject, or any number of controversial topics, this is I believe the best advice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg3mUhGVCgo
yes, I know all about the lead singer and I love him none-the-less. I choose to take his advice in this song.
I am not an expert on all the world's religions, but, I was raised in Christianity and I know that Christ indeed preached tolerance and love. Unfortunately, the most vocal "christians" in America these days are so far removed from the actual teachings of Christ that it is a stretch to even call them Christians, in my opinion.
The so-called "Evangelicals" in America are a dangerous right-wing ideologically driven hate group disguised as a religion that wants to stop forward progress, of any kind, in the United States and the world in general. If you have any doubts that they are a hate group, please google pictures of any rally that they organize and read the signs they hold. They have commandeered Christianity, bastardized it to fit their own purposes, and use it as a battering ram to try and push their radical agenda.
In addition to opposing forward progress for the LGBT Community, they also want to regress the progress that women have made. They claim to want small government, yet they literally want to invade a woman's body. They claim that the Earth is 6000 years old, climate change is not real, and evolution is a "lie from the pits of Hell", despite the clear scientific evidence to the contrary.
I realize that these radicals do not make up the entirety of the Christian faith nor likely even the majority. But, they are the most vocal.
I respect your individual religious beliefs, and would never want to infringe upon them in any way, as long as they don't infringe on other people.
However, I will not tolerate the Bible being used, selectively, as a hammer to stop the world's progress, and I will use the power of my voice and vote to stop it at every opportunity.