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ARE YOU A TRUMP SUPPORTER?

"If you're a Trump voter who is tired of being called a bigot, if you say you voted for him based on gun rights or economic issues, or because you think Hillary really was that awful, and in spite of his rhetoric, rather than because of it, I believe you. If you're in my life, I clearly don't think you're a vile hateful person. But if you're now watching protests across the country and you don't understand why, or think they are just being sore losers, let me break something down for you. These people aren't just angry or sad that someone they didn't support won the election, they're scared.
They're black Americans who hear talk of law and order and remember a racially charged stop and frisk program, or see an emboldened KKK holding a celebratory parade.

They're Muslim Americans who worry that spitting in their face is now okay and violations of their rights to assemble and their rights to privacy are about to come.

They're LGBT Americans who fear not just of the loss of marriage rights or restaurants gaining the right not to serve them, but of an administration that thinks it's more important to research electrocuting the gay out of them than AIDS.

They're Hispanic and Latino Americans who are scared their children will be bullied in schools, and their families ripped apart while their culture is mocked.

They're women who are wondering if we've normalized groping, and if their career endeavors will be judged by their face and body, and not their minds

I believe you when you say you didn't vote for any of these things. Most of America wasn't thrilled with the choices we had in this election. But If you didn't know that this is why they're protesting, if you think it's really just about free tuition or more government giveaways, then you, like the elite liberals you love to castigate, have also not been listening. If you're tired of being called a bigot, then you need to use the same voice you used on Tuesday and speak out against these things fully and clearly. It's not enough that you didn't say them yourself. You need to reassure your friends and family members who feel like they no longer have a seat at the table that you still stand with them, even if your priorities were different on Tuesday. If you aren't willing to do that, then you have no right to call for unity." - Michael Rex
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ManicMicah · 22-25, M
This was a really well-said speech, and totally true. A lot of Trump supporters didn't vote for any of the things he stands for, because they're unaware and haven't been listening to anything going on. As a gay guy, yeah, I'm terrified of losing my rights to a marriage, or just getting bashed and beaten if I walk outside holding hands with a boy I like. I didn't vote for Trump. I'm not a sore loser though. I won't leave the country, I won't riot in the streets. But I'm still scared. This doesn't feel like a safe place anymore.
Fernie · F
I am happy and saddened by your comment. The people who are protesting are not "sore losers"...they know what is in store for them if they are Gay, a woman, Latino, Poor, Black, Muslim, or anything else that is NOT a white straight male.
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: I wasn't implying that they were, I was just saying that I won't take this as hard as others are because I'll still try to have hope...even if it seems like we have none. I just hope things go all right for us.
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: sometimes holding out for hope is self destructive in the face of obvious tyranny. You and all of us Gays, Lesbians, Women, people of color have to be proactive. Being hopeful is a fabulous thing unless it puts us in a state of sleep...thinking all will be well without our input. I come from a time where Gays and Lesbians and Trans were murdered because of their lifestyle...women were killed by their male counterparts because they came out. Women having their children taken away from them because they were with a woman, Gay men tortured and killed for the same reason. There is no "hope" unless WE stand against the hatred and ignorance that has once again reared it's ugly head. PLEASE! Don't just wait for everything to be ok...they WILL come for YOU! Silence = DEATH
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: SO what is it exactly that I, an eighteen year old male, can actually do about this? Besides going out, starting some pro LGBT+ protest against anti-LGBT people, etc? Like how can I even contribute to anything going on.
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: be aware and be awake
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: I don't understand. I AM aware of what is going on, and it friggen terrifies me. How do I even do anything? If people have opposing views, they won't listen to my opinions on the subject.
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: don't drink the Kool-Aid. Don't believe what is said against others including yourself. Don't be complacent. If someone came into your face and disrespected you because of who you love or what you believe...what would you do then?
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: I don't understand where you're bringing this up and stuff. I already stated before I'm not going to let this get to me. Just because I say I'm terrified, does not mean I automatically assume the worst, I just fear what MAY happen. And if someone got in my face like that, I'd simply tell them "I don't care what you believe in or what you think about me, I will love who I love, that's none of your business."
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: I was responding to: "How do I even do anything? If people have opposing views, they won't listen to my opinions on the subject."
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: You didn't tell me what I should do...literally, my voice doesn't matter at all, the president of the united states and the vice president and the house and the senate do not hear my voice. They're the only ones I worry about because they actually have power to overturn LGBT rights if they all collectively agree on it. I could care less what ANYBODY else in the world thinks about me because they do not matter.
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: you are not alone. You speak as if your voice was the only voice to be heard. You must add your voice with the rest of our voices. You know what to do. Do it with the rest of us who have been marginalized. Many voices make change
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: So what do I do? One day, do all LGBT people go in front of the white house and make ourselves heard? How does one orchestrate something like that. I can join groups and clubs but that means absolutely nothing. Or do I just continuously post online about my gayness. It's hard to get an entire group of people to have their voices heard. I don't understand, you say add my voice with the rest but how does one do that, how do I meet these voices, how do I join together in this fight? Mhm.
Fernie · F
@TheDarkestZero: you have a defeatist attitude. I come from a time when we DID go to the white house and scream for our human rights. Perhaps you should research your own life as a Gay person. Get some history on the subject so you WILL know what to do
ManicMicah · 22-25, M
@Fernie: ..? You're being even more confusing. How does an eighteen year old boy who can't get a job to hire him, who has no means of transportation, who has social anxiety that makes me want to cry...how does someone like that contribute to ANY of this??? I don't know any gay people. I can't just go on the street yelling, "IF YOU'RE GAY SAY 'I'!!! I will stand by you! Let's march to the White House and demand our rights!" Um. No...that can't happen. You act like you can walk out the door, immediately find supporters, and do something about this situation right away. How?
TexChik · F
Nobody gives a shit
About your gay marriage ...on of Trumps insiders is gay... get over yourself ... it's no big deal