Will I get hate?..

Hello! I'm Lydia. I want you to know, first and foremost, I don't judge you as a person based on your beliefs. Actions are how I judge people, and you chose to open up, to be vulnerable. That's brave. In return, I will be respectful, but I will also be honest. Please understand sometimes these two may seem in conflict, but I would not give someone the real truth if I did not respect them.

There's a lot to unpack here. Politics are, whether we like it or not, the business of living. It's how we keep the world from falling apart with 7 billion people poking around a finite space, all wanting both the same and different things at the same time, none of which there ever seems to be enough of. It's also how we keep large swaths of people from starving or dying of illness or starting wars.

Put directly, our political affiliation grants the political organization to which we are affiliated legitimacy, and thus enables their actions. So, if said political party were to, say, systematically defund programs that support LGBTQ+ people, oust transpeople from the armed services, and pack the courts to bursting with evangelical judges who have public records of speaking and ruling against the Community writ large, and you were to expressly support that party, I can see why people would be, at the very least, confused.

It would be if I, as a vegetarian by way of ethics, were to buy cosmetics exclusively from a brand testing their products on living animal specimens. It's not my fault the company is doing so, to be sure, and I may have a thousand other reasons for liking the products, but the material effect is my money goes to helping make their immoral actions possible.

I'm not saying that having a different political view is wrong. But there's also a large contingent of the political party - and the man himself - that you vocally support that are expressly trying to make the world outright uninhabitable for us. And they haven't been quiet or gentle about it, either.

I make no accusations that you are a traitor, nor would I turn you away from any group I was a part of because you are an avowed Christian or Republican. But I ask you reconsider the latter and - if we're being honest - the former as well. You needn't abandon them outright, but maybe filter them through your morals as they are. Consider what you believe and who you think deserves what and then look at what they truly stand for. Not what they claim to stand for, but what they really actually do in this big old world of ours.

Maybe then, you'll understand why some feathers are ruffled.

Either way, I hope this finds you well and that people don't feel so inclined to challenge you. I know how frustrating and tiring that can be.

 

I have two things to bring up here:

1. Many LGBTQIA+ people have been harrassed and condemned by Christians in one form or another. I am also a Christian and have been on the recieving end of such behavior for being bi and trans. If someone in the LGBTQIA+ community says anything to me about it I tell them I have suffered some of the same treatment and understand where that anger is coming from. I did the whole being angry at God thing for a bit myself, but I got over it. It's good thing to keep in mind they are likely not angry at you directly or are projecting that bad experience on you.

2. I cannot accurately speak on anything about Trump and racism because I'm white and thus wouldn't have directly experienced it. I do know that he banned trans people from being in the military though and there were policies that barred gay couples from adopting children being passed. I agreed with him on tariffs and that was it for me personally. There are many politicians that make me angry because they try to make things harder for people like us (unfortunately it is skewed towards republicans).

I don't judge people based on these things, like Lydia said, it's about your actions. Some will be bothered by it, but that's their problem.

 

It is sad that people believe you are (fill in the blank), that therefore you have certain other beliefs, likes, qualities, etc. I know some gay men are into cross dressing. That doesn’t mean all are. And I don’t feel the need to go into pro wrestling interview mode about why they’re bad. I would just say “No thanks. Not my cup of tea.”

 

I don't talk politics with anyone, because it causes so many arguments between people, we only have so much time on this Earth, we should just get along instead of fighting or spewing hate towards one another, I really don't like talking about me believing in god either because I have had people tell me that I can't be gay and Christian that god hates sin and that I am going to hell all because I am gay and trans, I have nothing against Christianity as a whole but I do when other Christians Judge me or anyone for that matter because they don't agree with who they are, Judging is a sin but yet some Christians think they have every right to judge others, I was told once by someone who said they where Christian on a Facebook page in the comment section of an lgbtq+ page that they had every right to judge me because god said so, I don't mind anyone's political views as long as you aren't hateful to me or threaten me or try anything that can harm me or my family than we are good, But if I where you I probably wouldn't tell anyone who I voted for if I was getting death threats because that is what can get you into trouble.

 

Trump will always inspire strong reactions. It’s his job. So it follows that if you tell people nothing about yourself other than that you support him, well, the reaction isn’t really about you, but him. I couldn’t hate you if I wanted to (which I don’t). What would I be hating? I don’t know a thing about you! Words like “conservative” and “Trump supporter” change definition from person to person. I have no clue what conservatism is to you, or what values you hold dear that you identify with Donald Trump. Knowing that would be far more interesting and useful than just slapping an imaginary “Trump supporter” costume on you and assuming the worst.

 

I will admit that I would have a very hard time understanding your politics, not just because you are a member of this community, but because I don't understand supporting Trump period. Would I have some preconceived notions of you, honestly yes. Would I go on attack in a political conversation, no. I would try to be civil and open, but it would be challenging. By the same notion, I wouldn't exactly hold back either. While I may have some preconceived notions against certain types of Christians, but I can put that in check much more easily. I'd make any judgements based on your actions rather than any particular brand of faith. This probably not what you wanted to hear and it is not particularly fun to admit, but it is honest.

 

Sometimes it's important for us to be direct in our answers and this is one such occasion. Will you get hate from the wider LGBTQ community for declaring yourself a pro-Trump Christian? Yes - it's very likely you will, I'm afraid. The overwhelming majority of people within the LGBTQ community are deeply suspicious of right wing politics (with good reason) and when somebody declares themselves a supporter of a very right wing politician who has signed off on policies that do our community great harm that suspicion is magnified 100 times.

Whilst it may be true that sexuality and gender identity is only part of what we vote on, we cannot be ignorant to these matters and we cannot separate ourselves from our core human identity. If a politician or party adopts policies that are prejudicial to our health, freedom and identity we cannot in good conscience vote for them, and if we do and then go out on a limb to endorse them, it's likely to provoke a very hostile backlash. You do understand that, don't you?

Your faith is more nuanced. I think most reasonable people within the LGBTQ community can distinguish a fair and liberal minded Christian from an over zealous fundamentalist. When it comes to your faith, much will depend on your personal approach. If you are using Christianity as a political tool and seeking to control people with passages snipped out of the Bible it will cause great offence. But if your faith is intelligent and motivates you to love and affirm people to live their best lives it's not going to be a problem. It's a choice you make!

 

For what's it's worth I have a friend of mine whom I've known since we were both in primary school. We've diverged in very different directions in the decades since - he's now firmly pro-Trump, pro-Brexit, anti-anything 'woke' and I make no secret that I abhor his political allegiances.

Anyway, a few weeks ago we met up for the first time in over two years. I came out to him and actually he was ok. "You're the same person, aren't you?" he said. I replied "of course" and we made an arrangement to meet up soon.

The moral? Try to look beyond the politics and see what is in a person's heart.

Beth

 

What I still haven’t heard is what it is about you that MAKES you a Trump supporter. So you’re parents are, okay. Political affiliation isn’t genetic! It sounds like you’re having a hard time finding acceptance in your home, and you’re doing what you have to do to protect yourself. I’m so sorry. We all adopt identities to get by. You have to put on the red hat at home. Just remember that Donald Trump has nothing to do with your identity, or anyone else’s. You’re you.

 

I think about John 3:16 a lot as well as John 8:7. I think a person can be Christian and still be themselves. I think if a person tries to hide themselves, from experience, it is very self-destructive both mentally and physically. This applies to not just sexuality but also other aspects of life.
Conservative have had a history of trying to suppress the LGBT Community. Things like raiding gay clubs and arresting people to blackballing people and forcing them out of their jobs. Yes, among some groups you will get hate.
As I have gotten older, I have learned to cut toxic people out of my life, yep, sometimes it is hard but remember to do what you need to do for yourself. Blood isn't always family.

 

I'm with you there WhatAmIAndrew!

Personally, I feel that as long as you treat others how you would like to be treated yourself (which, after all, sits at the heart of all the major religions of the world) then you won't go far wrong in life.