Monday, May 11, 2009

Tyra Banks debates: Gay is the new Black

I'm sharing today a video from the Tyra Banks Show, one in which equal rights for all people is argued. Debates between gay-affirming and non-gay-affirming sides are rather disagreeable, whether they are on Youtube, television, or facebook. However, except for the fact that I am gay-affirming and support equal rights, I would find them non-productive. Few points are made that are going to change anyone's minds. The most beneficial part of this video clip is that the "straight" side women are annoyingly condescending, and they show themselves to be bigoted and unkind, and the blue-jacketed woman is downright mean. Oh, and they also represent themselves as Christians. (Lord, have mercy on us all.)

In this video, Tyra has three guests on the "gay" side, and three on the "straight" side. If I were to sit and talk with them, I'm not even sure they would listen to what I have to say. Of those who I've talked to, few have changed. Few have listened. Many have been distant, and most have stuck to what they already believe.

But there are SOME, those of us who have worked with gay people, lived alongside gay neighbors, have a gay family member, or had a friend who has come out to us, and we few have been willing to realize that gay people are JUST LIKE US. And we few, and the number is growing all the time, are going to continue to grow, and we WILL SEE CHANGE! This change is not going to be that gay will change to straight (nor will straight change to gay) but it will be in the laws, and ultimately in the hearts of straight people - and we are going to realize how awful we (yes, WE) have been - in our non-acceptance, in our villification, in our lies and mean-ness to those who have not chosen to be simply different in ONE little aspect. And we are going to say, Please forgive us, we are so sorry.

Lately there have been some people make charges in my direction, calling me to "come back to the fold," and questioning whether I have just become accepting, "because of my pain." Another one sent her book in the mail questioning "Where's the Proof? True Christianity verses Religion," [sic].

Oh, you people! Are you kidding me? You folks are really calling into question whether I am still a Christian? Let me respond. Forgiveness is a hallmark of a true Christian. Love is what Jesus said would distinguish his followers. And 'though it tries my patience, I still keep trying to love and forgive those who don't see this through my eyes. And THAT is not easy.

When shows like Tyra Banks start looking good and making good points, and when the religious right is showing themselves for who they are, I think there's going to be progress. At least I hope so.

6 comments:

hillsideslide said...

I find it disturbing that Tyra Banks is ahead of "The Church" in this matter...

No offense to the former. Rather, I had higher expectations for the later.

Yet, here it is:

"...one thing that is important to me is realizing pain in a human being. And whatever you believe; whether you don't approve of what somebody... how they live their life... To me, what hurts is the lack of empathy for pain; not 'gay,' not 'straight,' but PAIN. And... when I was looking at you and seeing this young man in pain, I didn't feel THAT."

When Ms. Banks cut in with that, she was revealing her heart, which we "Little Christs" (Christians) would do well to emulate.

And when we do, we'll be that much closer to experiencing God's will "on Earth as it is in Heaven."

Dawn said...

The show was interesting... I remember back about 10-20 years ago when I would see panels like this but the support was more with the straights and not the gays - it is nice to see that the support is swinging as people understand logic better.

You are not the only one whose 'godliness' is called into question because I don't measure up to the rule of the person measuring me (notice it isn't God, but that use that excuse for their judgement) and I find it also frustrating- but I hope it also increases my patience as Lord knows I need more.

deb said...

It's sad, actually. The people on the pro-gay side of the discussion were interesting, good people. The women on the anti-gay side were all about, "It's a choice." They were so negative and against gay people. There was no love or compassion shown.

Why do anti-gay people just assume all kinds of bad things? Why can't they just stop yelling for a moment and get to know the gay people around them? If they did, they would find out that people are people, and gay and straight people are more alike than different.

deb said...

Carol, I left a comment on this post hours ago. I thought I did. But, I must have made my usual mistake and clicked 'preview' instead of 'publish your comment'. Oh well! :(

I also copied your entire post and included it in an email to someone with whom I am having a 'discussion' about 'gay marriage'. There's not much to say, since we are on opposite ends of the spectrum, but somehow, we both find plenty of words to fill the emails. :)

Keep the good words coming, Carol. I quote you often! :)

Rob said...

I seen part of this episode, it was very interesting, especially the two different view points by the African American guests.

deb said...

Carol, I left a comment on this post hours ago. I thought I did. But, I must have made my usual mistake and clicked 'preview' instead of 'publish your comment'. Oh well! :(

I also copied your entire post and included it in an email to someone with whom I am having a 'discussion' about 'gay marriage'. There's not much to say, since we are on opposite ends of the spectrum, but somehow, we both find plenty of words to fill the emails. :)

Keep the good words coming, Carol. I quote you often! :)