NBR - Free speech vent

StacyLH24 · December 2013

I'm looking for a safe space to vent my thoughts...FB definitely isn't it, so here I am.

I was very disheartened to read about the interview given by Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty. While I never watched the show all of the time, I did enjoy it. I did wonder what their views on the LGBT community were. I guess now I know at least one view.

A coworker, who is ultra conservative yet supports my relationship with C, posted about free speech on FB. I really wish I wouldn't have seen it.

Here's my thing...hate speech shouldn't be free speech. Though Phil said he wouldn't disrespect those who are different from him, I found what he had to say very disrespectful. I'm tired of seeing homosexuality being equated with bestiality and/or molesting children. For those who push free speech, I'm guessing they have never been equated with either of those categories. How would they feel if they were? It saddens me deeply that people think it is ok to talk about us in a derogatory manner and then push it off as free speech. Though Phil Robertson has no idea who I am, I take those comments personally. How can we not? These types of remarks are the kind that keep bullying around. People die because they are part of the LGBT community. How is that ok? How is it ok to further the negative perception people have of the LGBT community?

I wonder how she would feel if I posted something negative and derogatory about white conservative women. I certainly would never do that, but sometimes i want others to see what it feels like. Not that I want others to be bullied, etc. That certainly isn't what I mean. I just think that if you've never experienced it, you might not understand how it feels and why others get upset. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you go throwing around free speech.

Please feel free to weigh in.

ATXmommas · December 2013

I was disheartened too by that number of 'likes' I saw in regards to support PT Robertson/free speech. The thing is - he has every right to believe what he believes and say what he did as much as I find it despicable. But, A&E has every right to suspend him as his employer. I could certainly be terminated from my job if I made hateful remarks in a public forum. This to me is not a free speech issue at all.

trisholio · December 2013

I have never watched the show and wouldn't even if I did have cable. Though I am not surprised by his comments made about the LGBT community, I am still saddened by people's responses. People want to scream free speech, bull crap! Why can't free speech be used in a positive sense instead of a negative? I could really care less what this guy has to say about our "lifestyle" but it does bother me that people like this are looked up too.

First of all, our "lifestyle" is super lame! My wife and I enjoy watching a movie more then going to a club, we get excited about saving money at the grocery store, we have nights at home and do mani/pedi's, we watch little tv except when football is on and we are the 'old folks' in our group of friends. We aren't out having orgies with other people let alone animals, we aren't protesting churches and blowing up abortion clinics. We just live our every day lives and people want to hate us for it. I really don't get it!

The part that saddens me the most is that young people hear comments like this and take it to heart. They start to look at gay people as bad or less than because of what they hear other people saying. And there are also thousands of teenagers and young people that commit suicide every year for multitude of reasons including being bullied and not feeling like they fit in.

I am pretty sure I am going to lose a few Facebook friends over all of this, but I could really care less. Here is an article that I just posted on Facebook.

https://www.forwardprogressives.com/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-and-why-his-suspension-isnt-an-attack-on-free-speech/

valeriegp · December 2013

The thing that bugs me most about this is the people yelling about his First Amendment rights. Clearly, we need more and better civics lessons in our schools. The only people who can violate your First Amendment rights are the government and its agents. A&E can't violate anyone's First Amendment rights, but they can hire and fire employees who do or don't represent them as they'd like to be represented (or who don't bring in the money because they pissed people off).

aslmander · December 2013

Well i havent been on FB at all today because we've been pretty busy at work but after this post i decided to see what the scoop was. I am deeply saddened by the friends on my fb list. i am going to have to do some serious cleaning up. im so upset im almost shaking as to what they are saying. my aunt, MY AUNT! posted "team phil (whatever thier last name is)!!!!" my heart just breaks!! i know i shouldnt let these things get to me but it honestly does.

I will say i am very proud of A&E..they give me hope for the future. Im just tired of everyone going all bible crazy over this. i am a chrstian too, i just dont use god's love as hate instead of love which is what its intended for!

Jeveritt11 · December 2013

I'm very saddened by all of this.
A and I really like the show and while I figured with their conservative Christian views this is how they would feel, I don't think it was wise of him to publicly announce them. Yes he has the right to freedom of speech (which it got he was not arrested and no legal action was taken against him)

A&E is his employer and they have be right to suspend him also. If I went into my work and made a racial comment (even if it was my belief) I could and would still be fired for that.

GoaliesWife123 · December 2013

valeriegp said:

The thing that bugs me most about this is the people yelling about his First Amendment rights. Clearly, we need more and better civics lessons in our schools. The only people who can violate your First Amendment rights are the government and its agents. A&E can't violate anyone's First Amendment rights, but they can hire and fire employees who do or don't represent them as they'd like to be represented (or who don't bring in the money because they pissed people off).

YES! This is exactly what I stated to my FATHER who posted that he stands with Phil. Disgusting.

StacyLH24 · December 2013

Thanks for weighing in everyone. There were many good points made. @trisholio - I posted the article on FB...and was promptly told to "get over it"

I just wish we lived in a world where everyone got along. @bromios - I just might steal your saying for whenever it is needed! I think that is a great response.

trisholio · December 2013

Yeah I have been "debating" with ignorant people all day. I was told we shouldn't worry about minor things like this because there are people sick and homeless around America. WTF? Comparing apples to oranges much? I hate debating with stupid!!

firstcomeslove2013 · December 2013

I have been in a battle all night with a cousin of mine who stated "i have no problem with gay people, i do however don't agree with the lifestyle". and then when I reminded her that she came to my wedding and ate my food and danced with my guests. She said "you are family, I would never judge you" YOU ARE JUDGING ME. I don't know what I am arguing ignorance but GOODNESS! I am so frustrated.

GoaliesWife123 · December 2013

People are complete idiots. Period. My Dad decided to throw in the "I didn't hear this much commotion when the Salvation Army came out against gays..." Really? It was all over the news. And what ever happened to "If you can't say something nice, shut your freaking mouth?"

So sick of the two faced family and friends!

ATXmommas · December 2013

KLeigh1 said:
I have taken care of cleaning out a lot of trash in my social media in the last hour and it feels really good!!!

Me too. Rid myself of a lot of people from high school that I don't care to keep in touch with anyway. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, everybody that posted something stupid is from my home state of MS. No one from Austin. So glad I chose this place as my home 9.5 years ago.

wishiwaspreggo · December 2013

A few weeks ago one of my cousins posted a very hateful article on her Facebook wall masquerading as Christian compassion. Basically the premise of the article was "It's okay if you're gay, just don't act on your sexual desires. Instead, find love and comfort in platonic relationships."

I'm sorry? And exactly HOW would you feel if I asked you to have a platonic relationship with your husband? How would it feel to never be that close to someone, never have a constant companion, someone you trust completely and love deeply? What kind of Christian would want to deprive another human being of that experience?

I was a little conflicted because I am very loyal, especially to my blood relatives. But that was just way too much. I removed her from my friends list. And her brother, too. Both of them are right-wing crazy nuts. Their mother (my aunt) feels the same way they do but she doesn't vomit hate on her Facebook wall so I haven't removed her yet, but she is one ugly post away from being removed as well.

I took another "friend" off my list last night, too. She posted the "I stand with Phil" picture. Well, if you stand with Phil (which means you stand with bigotry), then you have no business knowing what's going on in my life.

I don't want anyone who disapproves of my "lifestyle" (I HATE that term) to see pictures of me and my partner on vacation, doing things we love together, and most of all, making a baby. I do not have the energy to deal with ignorance at this point in my life. I'm just done with all of them.

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