Comments on: Happy wedding! (for John & Heather) http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/ Mel's home on the web Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:30:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mel http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/#comment-281 Mel Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:04:04 +0000 http://www.henkimaa.com/?p=2750#comment-281 One thing writing this started me thinking about was, what's different/what's the same between straight folks being allies to LGBTs, & me as an ally to other people, different from me, who are fighting for equality -- Alaska Natives, for example, or blacks? I'm a white American of European descent, after all, & I've done a lot of family history investigation: I have no blacks or Natives in my family tree dating back several generations. Potentially I could become related to someone whose black or Native through marriage; I can't have black or Native kids (I'm 50, so it's unlikely I could bring a baby safely into the world even if I somehow got pregnant... which, given I'm a lesbian, I'm unlikely to unless I was sexually assaulted or coercively turkey-basted). So having them as members of my family i not the reason I want justice for them, why I ally myself to their cause. So I suspect your reasons for allying yourself with LGBT people runs plenty deeper too: with creating the kind of world you want to live in. But it still has something to do with "being related" -- we are all, after all, human beings, & all human beings are in the longer view genetically related. There's some recognition of common humanity that makes us care about people different from us. But what's with those people who xenophobically see only the differences, & reject what is "other" because of it? One thing writing this started me thinking about was, what’s different/what’s the same between straight folks being allies to LGBTs, & me as an ally to other people, different from me, who are fighting for equality — Alaska Natives, for example, or blacks? I’m a white American of European descent, after all, & I’ve done a lot of family history investigation: I have no blacks or Natives in my family tree dating back several generations. Potentially I could become related to someone whose black or Native through marriage; I can’t have black or Native kids (I’m 50, so it’s unlikely I could bring a baby safely into the world even if I somehow got pregnant… which, given I’m a lesbian, I’m unlikely to unless I was sexually assaulted or coercively turkey-basted).

So having them as members of my family i not the reason I want justice for them, why I ally myself to their cause. So I suspect your reasons for allying yourself with LGBT people runs plenty deeper too: with creating the kind of world you want to live in. But it still has something to do with “being related” — we are all, after all, human beings, & all human beings are in the longer view genetically related. There’s some recognition of common humanity that makes us care about people different from us. But what’s with those people who xenophobically see only the differences, & reject what is “other” because of it?

]]> By: Heather http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/#comment-280 Heather Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:22:33 +0000 http://www.henkimaa.com/?p=2750#comment-280 Hmmm. Straight allies are helping to create the kind of world they want to live in---and since some of those straight allies will have gay children, they're also working for a safe world for their kids. Never thought of it this way. Thanks for the new perspective. Hmmm. Straight allies are helping to create the kind of world they want to live in—and since some of those straight allies will have gay children, they’re also working for a safe world for their kids. Never thought of it this way. Thanks for the new perspective.

]]> By: Mel http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/#comment-279 Mel Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:59:20 +0000 http://www.henkimaa.com/?p=2750#comment-279 Tearing up? ah then I have done good! [big happy grin] May this day be one you'll both always remember with joy. Tearing up? ah then I have done good! [big happy grin] May this day be one you’ll both always remember with joy.

]]> By: John http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/#comment-278 John Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:50:34 +0000 http://www.henkimaa.com/?p=2750#comment-278 Making me tear up, and I haven't even left the house yet! Making me tear up, and I haven’t even left the house yet!

]]> By: Brianne http://www.henkimaa.com/2009/06/27/happy-wedding/#comment-277 Brianne Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:20:51 +0000 http://www.henkimaa.com/?p=2750#comment-277 What a wonderful Post! Thanks Mel, I appreciate that kind of support. They really do represent the Allied part of our community. Bless thier wedding, may it be fruitful! What a wonderful Post! Thanks Mel, I appreciate that kind of support. They really do represent the Allied part of our community. Bless thier wedding, may it be fruitful!

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