Not to mention "who's we, white man?"

Who is this mysterious "we" who wants to know? It's ridiculous. I didn't like the tone of it either, but I really have gotten to a point where most memes that are viral in nature annoy me.

I don't care if people want to hold hands or carry guns, or do both at the same time. I just care that everyone has equal access to both.

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I agree about the mysterious "we", as well; I forgot to mention that.

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I object to the "post this or you're a bigot" tone of the meme.

Glad it's not just me who found that annoying.

I care about gay rights, but I'm interested in supporting them by clogging up my flist with copypasta.

I prefer more sensible and direct measures, like treating gay people as regular folk, like any sensible person ought to.

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Here's my take on the gay rights movement - and FWIW, I'm an out lesbian: The phrase "gay rights" is a double-edged sword. Do I believe that I possess the same dignity and worth, as well as deserve the same respect, as straight folks. Yes, I do. Also, I believe that my sexual orientation should not be a barrier in the pursuit of healthcare, marriage, employment, credit, or parental rights.

Now, that being said: One, my sexual orientation is a facet of my personality, not my entire existance. Also, there are some groups/organizations that will never be inclusive of GLBT folks. As unenlightened as it will make me sound, that's the way it is. I'd rather spend my time, energy, and dollars supporting something that will come of some good (i.e. instead of pestering the Boy Scouts about their policies on gay men - donate some money to the local GLBT youth alliance).

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my sexual orientation is a facet of my personality, not my entire existance

Indeed. This is one thing that bothers me about the politics of identity: it denies that people are more than that one thing. To define oneself as only a gay man (or lesbian, or whatever) is to deny everything else they are. That strikes me as quite shallow.

Personally, I don't think that attitudes will change until the people do. I am encouraged that there is a distinct trend towards acceptance of sexual minorities in younger Americans; this means that our society will move in the right direction, perhaps not in my lifetime, but eventually. I also believe that this will result, in the end, in greater acceptance and fewer tensions than the forced change that accompanied the outlawing of racial discrimination. People resist being forcibly changed far more than they resist change in general.

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To define oneself as only a gay man (or lesbian, or whatever) is to deny everything else they are.
There are times when this distinction is useful, such as when discussing personal issues with a healthcare provider, informing a man that I am eminently unavailable in the romantic sense, or (as in my above comment)giving some background as to what my life experiences are in a very succinct manner. I am more likely to come out to someone in a softer way - instead of saying "Hey, guess what? I'm a lesbian!" I am much more apt to discuss my life partner in the usual way and not being guarded when using feminine pronouns.

When it comes to the generational differences, I'm in agreement. It is very hard to convince folks who are set in their ways to change - I tried for many years to get my extended family to show a little more tolerance, a frustrating venture at best. The other thing I have learned is that the best way one can lead is by example - which also forced me to face some of the prejudices I have held (and that unfortunately still show up from time to time - I'm not perfect).

I'm going to spare you and your gentle readers my rant about the "circling of the wagons" that seems to be so prevalent in the GLBT realm. :)

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