I'm definitely going to have to agree with this. And all of America's stupid "ideals" (if you can even call them that!) on so-called "Gender Roles" have been negatively affecting anyone that isn't purely heterosexual. I'm certain its responsible for the persecution of gays, bisexuals, transgenders, etc., at least in part, that and certain religious teachings. Its almost like the American public needs to validate itself by beating on those who don't submit to the pre-existing gender roles. Still, its not as bad here as it was in Germany (shockingly).
There's no doubt about that, greyOne; we're going to have to really grow as a species if we are going to rectify some of our issues. I like how you worded that. Love should be pure and unadulterated; love for the sake of love. It matters not what the gender. :3 Yay, more pansexuals! :3 You're probably right. The thing about culture is that it is made up of many elements; culture is adaptive, which means it's a society's way of coping with its environment. For whatever reason, Americans clung to certain ideals and fundamentalist Christian practices in order to find their survival. The good news is that because culture is adaptive, it can change; the changes are always slow, but they happen. I think we're beginning to see a shift in our society right now towards a more positive future. My guess is that in 30 to 100 years, America will be a much different place and for the better (provided we don't mess things up before then). The media is a culture's way of expressing itself; it's almost like art in that respect. America does have a fairly unhealthy blurring of the lines between information and entertainment, though; I feel that is a large chunk of our problem when it comes to our cultural problems. Also: you're absolutely right when you say that ourselves along with the upcoming generations are responsible for changing things. Because culture is adaptive, it can only change when we--as a society--feel comfortable moving into new roles to better suit our coping methods.
@Matty I just wish it could change faster. Wishful thinking I know, but I'd like to be completely accepted for who I am in my lifetime...
It's entirely possible for that to happen. Things are changing faster than I anticipated; try to keep the hope alive. :3 Well, when I talk about change I mean slow change. However, I do see faint glimmers of hope that show changes happening currently (for example, the Wall Street Protests that spurred a global movement of monstrous proportions). Also: when I was talking about "better suiting our coping methods," I was referring back to what I had said about culture being adaptive. Part of the adaptivity is using culture to cope with and survive within our society's environment in general. I was referencing that in my concluding statement before. I'm sorry for the confusion. ^^;
You're absolutely right. Action is crucial in order to cause change and it's great that you feel the ambition to do so. I do have to say this, though: action can't happen without community and community cannot happen without support and discussion. In the end, action, community, support and discussion all go hand-in-hand.
@Matty I hope it changes soon. I used to be extremely sensitive, as well. The most basic insult could send me off crying. I've almost committed suicide due to the treatment I receive sometimes... that's all behind me now though, I hope...
I know exactly how you feel, Chapien. I have also felt suicidal in my past; it's a terrible feeling and very scary. I'm so glad that you're seeking support from this community. You certainly have my support; I care about you even though we've just met. :3
Thanks Matty, I care about you too and already consider you a friend. Though I'm not receiving help exclusively from Everypony, Ponychan has helped me out tons as well. Though, I wasn't exactly willing when it came to help from them. Let's just say last week I almost killed myself, the Ponychan moderators found out somehow, they acquired all of my personal information (name, address, phone number, e-mail address, IP address, etc.) and almost called the police to save my life, and if I ever show signs of "relapse" they will call the police for real. They're also trying to force me to get help but eh... I don't need it. Between Everypony, Ponychan, and my IRL brony friends, I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, if all else fails, I always have my boyfriend to turn to.
Well, I suppose I should post in this thread again, being that I learned something about myself since the last time I posted here: Yeah... Although I still strongly agree with everything I posted back then, I have to quote myself and make a correction. As you can tell by my signature, I'm currently in a relationship with a member of this forum, Insane Lugia. He's a guy, and I'm a guy, so I think you can do the fancy mathematics. As of right now, I'm not sure if I can truly identify as bisexual or just bicurious at the moment. What's strange is, up until a little over a month ago, I've never even considered the idea of falling in love with a guy. I've just never been attracted to males in that way. At one point I even considered myself asexual because there was a period that I went through when I didn't feel attracted to either gender. I guess you can say I may be slightly confused at the moment. I never thought that at 25 I'd be unsure of my sexuality. If it turns out that it works out all the way (IRL meetup and all that), then I will have no regrets, because I can honestly say I love him, just as I loved my ex-girlfriend when we were together. However, until we meet IRL, I will not tell anyone that I may potentially be bisexual nor will I tell any family members about it. I want to make certain that the chemistry is there for it to go all the way. Only then, after an IRL meeting, will I know for sure. Just as another member on here has said before, I believe it was nbunomad, "One falls in love with the person, not the gender." Anyway, I just figured I'd post that little bit of updated information.
Oh, wow. It sounds like you've gotten some amazing support from various parts of the Pony communities. That's just wonderful; I'm glad that they've helped you out of your funk. I'm also glad to hear that you are getting support from your boyfriend. Also: I'm so glad you feel the same way about me as I do about you. :3 You have pointed out something that I feel many activists fail to realize: the people who are intolerant or who disagree with us are just as human as we are. We cannot ever hope to attain egalitarianism until we gain empathy and understanding of even those we don't like or disagree with. As I mentioned in a previous post, our journey of self discovery is never-ending and ever-fulfilling. Even at the age of 25, you are not done learning about yourself and your path in life; you won't be done learning about your life by the time you are 60, 70 or even 80 years old, either. The more we explore, the more things open themselves up to us and show us who we are. It sounds like you're continuing to experience this growth and it's great that you've been processing it in your heart and mind; your embracing of this process is what allows you to grow and mature as a human being.
When I speak of egalitarianism, I do suppose my ultimate goal is one of tolerance. However, it is impossible to promote tolerance if we ourselves are disrespectful or intolerant of those whom we disagree with. Does that make more sense? ^^;
Your point actually brings up the vast complexity that is our world and humanity in general. While we all seek black-and-white solutions by nature, it is never so simple as that; shades of gray exist everywhere. You are right when you say that we will likely never have a sense of complete and unadulterated egalitarianism. However, I have seen things come very close to that. The best examples are the various Pony communities; I have never seen such widespread, unified love and tolerance anywhere else in my whole life.
I wish my workplace had the understanding this place does. I work in a 95% male work place and they joke all the time and make passes at one another but when they find out someone there is gay they lose it. (Note i have heard stories and have been there when one open person was there) They have had their cars vandalized , their names run through the mud, hateful messages left on their phones, one poor guy had given his lover his work number had he left him a message. Someone in the front office other than him got it and forwarded it to everyone there. Including us out on the floor. The guy that did it said he meant to delete it but Im not so sure. The guy that it was originally for quit by the end of the week. I just dont know/ understand how people can joke like that but when they find out that you are and they get all up in arms against you. Thank you Every Pony for being here and like your tag says. We welcome EVERYONE.
Thanks! I just got up, and one of the first posts I read was that. It's reassuring that are efforts don't go unnoticed. As harrowing as that is, 'tis not the first time I have heard of such. It's terrifying how people mutually incite each other Into acts of hatred and the like.
That is one area in which you and I for sure agree on, then. I am also an optimist; I try to keep as much hope in the future as I can. That's perfectly awful; it's horrific that anybody would treat any person like that. Also: yes, the Pony community is amazingly open and accepting; I've never seen anything like it anywhere else. To be honest, when I posted the transsexual support thread here, it was both to encourage other transsexual members here to be open and admittedly, my last grab out for support for myself. While my gender therapist has been wonderful to me and has been very supportive, my local transsexual community has been completely awful and excluding; the environment here is very clique-heavy. For whatever reason, I am the one in the community that seems to be excluded the most. The response from this community has been nothing sort of amazing; it's more than I ever could have hoped for. I am filled with elation at the warm, supporting response I have gotten here. I only hope that more who are also transsexual will feel like they can post in the thread I made.
Some people are simply *squee!*s, I suppose. You can't change people, and what those people did was simply terrible and I really feel bad for him. One of my teachers is lesbian and her car used to get vandalized by students on a daily basis.
