... or someone who is a strong supporter/advocate/activist/opponent of "Traditional Marriage". I'm finding it more and more difficult lately to accept, be tolerant of or even be friendly toward some "friends" who have this conflicting belief. We haven't gotten into fights or anything, but we have had some short-lived debates that end with "agree to disagree". I understand and accept that we both have the right to our own beliefs, but having someone smile and be friendly to my face who would also actively vote or fight against my having the opportunity to legally marry someone I love just makes me feel sick in the stomach. I want to stay friends with them. They are very nice people. It's just getting difficult and I don't know what to do. Any suggestions or comments?
I put "depends on the situation." Keep in mind that there are people who have always been anti-LGBT to the bone and people who were indifferent / tolerant of LGBT people and issues, but not keen on the marriage issue. If you think they can be rolled into one bundle, they can't. The reason is that, if they were anti-LGBT, they would have been so in continuity since, say, 1988. Instead, they have been irked by this topic since about 2008, plus or minus, when it was a ballot issue in California. I let them talk, being that I'm not married and have no intention of getting married, because they've been my friends for a long time. They would have to do something directly to me, a friend of mine, or a family member rather than merely holding an opinion for me to change the nature of my friendship with them.
Someone who is against equal marriage rights, is probably against LGBT in general, and most likely an ignorant person. I voted no.
I'm ok with someone who says they don't want their church or clergy to sanction same-sex marriage and have several friends who feel this way, but could probably not be friends with someone who opposes the sanctioning of same-sex marriages by clergy of other denominations or by justices of the peace.
Yes. I could. I have no problem with a person who has an opposing belief. The only time I won't be a friend with a person who opposes marriage equality is if they are actually pushing their beliefs on me, or are actively fighting against marriage equality. But if they simply believe it's wrong, then I can be friends with them. My grandmother opposes gay marriage, but I still love her.
Already am. If I had known before we became friends it may of made it more difficult to become friends (like if we argued about it straight away), but here we are as good as friends as any.
Well, my parents are strongly against marriage equality. So, I sort of have to be friends with them. As far as anyone else, I guess it depends on the extent they oppose marriage equality.
I don't feel all that strongly about marriage equality in the first place. However, if they were constantly talking about it, constantly saying how marriage equality will be the downfall of society, no, I don't think I would be able to put up with their BS for very long. And why would someone who was the vitriolic about it be friends with a faggot like me in the first place?
Yes, I can be friends with them... As long as they wont talk or start a debate about it when we are together.
I couldn't, because that would mean they're against who I am as a person. I've tried seeing past it with some people, but I can't anymore at this point.
I personally welcome these discussions. Because if I can change their mind after giving them something to question, then the debate was worth it.
I am. They don't oppose it out of homophobia, they oppose it because they're against marriage in general and feel like marriage equality being the public focus of queer rights is throwing trans people and POC under the bus.
On subjects like that, I can be rather cold and harsh. I can't be around anyone who opposes any basic human rights, and I don't need that negativity in my life. I'm trying to learn to think positive. I can't do that if I'm around that type of person.
It depends... If a person opposes Marriage Equality as a result of Religious Beliefs... Yes I can be friends with them. I respect people's choice of Religion, and as believers of that said religion they may hold to the teachings that Marriage is between Man and Woman. If I begin disrespecting people because of their religious beliefs and displaying intolerance. It does not make me any different from the other bigots out there. If one opposes Marriage Equality because they view gay people as a sub class of human. Then NO. I don't need those type of toxic people in my life. They can go f*ck themselves.
I can be, and am. However these friends of mine know my opinions since I'm not shy and I'm very ok if they decide to cut ties over a difference in opinion between us. Just because I don't approve of all their opinions, and they don't approve of all mine doesn't mean we can't be civil and friends.