The passage of North Carolina’s amendment 1 which bans all forms of recognition for same-sex partnerships has been all over the news and the blogosphere. I even mentioned it in my post yesterday. I’ve read many, many GLBT people post on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ about their disappointment, anger and frustration. While I totally agree that this amendment write bigotry, hatred and intolerance into the state constitution of North Carolina, I am more than a little dismayed by the vitriol and hatred being spewed by the queer community towards the people of North Carolina.
Naturally, I understand the deep sense of betrayal that the North Carolina GLBT community feels. After all, they were effectively stabbed in the back by their neighbors at the polls. I understand the frustration too. However, I don’t think you can ever fight hate with hate and vitriol and expect to win. In my opinion, one of the unique and beautiful aspects of the queer community is its tremendous capacity for love and compassion. I believe we should focus on that and not on giving hate back to the haters.
Yea! deem not of change: ye shall be as ye are, & not other. Therefore the kings of the earth shall be Kings for ever: the slaves shall serve. There is none that shall be cast down or lifted up: all is ever as it was. Yet there are masked ones my servants: it may be that yonder beggar is a King. A King may choose his garment as he will: there is no certain test: but a beggar cannot hide his poverty. — Liber AL vel Legis II:58
This text from the Book of the Law, sums up the real issue with these attempts to trivialize the love present in the queer community. The slaves shall serve. The haters will hate. For those of us that believe in karma or the three-fold law, we know what putting this kind of negative energy out into the universe will attract. So-called “Christians” can talk a good talk about how full of God’s love they are but as this verse reminds us, “a beggar cannot hide his poverty”. We know their real nature. And I think ultimately, the strides we’ve made in changing the attitudes of the nation towards equality are largely because others can see their true natures as well. By focusing on continuing to be the loving, compassionate people that we have always been, we also show our true nature. We should strive to make a sharp contrast. Maybe some of these so-called “good Christian” people should read their own book:
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? – Matthew 7:16
Love will always prevail and history rarely looks favorably on bigotry and intolerance. Stand firm and continue to love one another. History and the universe are on our side.