When friends of mine in the gay community told me that the postal survey on same-sex marriage would unleash hatred and bile I hoped they were wrong. I wish they had been. I underestimated how vicious it would be and I never for a moment thought how much it would impact me.
I don’t want to claim to be the victim for even a second. I see people in the “no camp” doing that and I can’t help wonder how they dare complain they are being maligned given what they are voting for. I don’t wish to belittle the real pain and suffering this campaign has caused to the LGBTQI community and their friends and family.
It’s been a gruelling week listening to all the hatred levelled at people, it’s been hideous to think that there are people who think not every Australian deserves the same civil rights.
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And for me it’s been sobering to realise I’m intolerant.
Intolerant is not a title I would have held with great pride before this week, it’s a designation I’ve tried to avoid. I pride myself on trying to listen to both sides of a story, I’ve always been open to learning from people in situations different from my own. And while I may not always agree with other people’s opinions or behaviours (sometimes loudly) I’ve tried to tolerate them.
But last week a conversation turned to the same-sex marriage survey and my whole stance on tolerance was shaken. There was someone amongst us who was more passionate than rational – only his passion was for hating on yes voters for hating on him. I know. It makes little sense for someone to complain about ostensibly not having the right to say no just as they deny equal rights to others.
Top Comments
I suppose your actions depend on whether you want people to change or keep the same views but not voice them around you.
Is society a better place where people can voice bigoted views and therefore we have the chance to change them or where no one voices the bigoted views but still holds them? Society can never improve while it's the latter.