The Tolerance Trap

[FindingNamo]

Oh I recall the crap I got from BWW's Worst Troll Ever when I said I had no use for "tolerance".


"If there is nothing problematic about something—say, homosexuality—then there is really nothing to tolerate. We don’t speak of tolerating great sex or a good book or a sunshine-filled day."


Queer freedom and the tolerance trap

[Bluemoon]

Coincidentally, Namo, I saw a great post on Facebook on Friday by a friend of yours. He was responding to a lament about the notion of "having compassion for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters". Friend brought up the Tolerance Trap. I "liked" it. I like him, too.

[Mister Matt]

Well now that BWW's Worst Troll Ever goes by Sutton Ross

I'm still not convinced that they are the same.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I loved that whole piece. So much food for thought.

Tolerance is not just a low bar; it actively undercuts robust integration and social belonging by allowing the warp and woof of anti-gay animus to go unchallenged. Tolerance allows us to celebrate (hysterically) the coming out of macho professional athletes as a triumphant sign of liberation rather than a sad commentary on the persistence of the closet and the hold of masculinist ideals. Tolerance allows religious "objections" to queer lives to remain in place, even as it claims that a civilized society leaves its homos alone. Tolerance pushes for marriage equality and simultaneously assures anxious allies that it won’t change their marriages or their lives.

[Liza's Headband]

"I saw a great post on Facebook on Friday by a friend of yours. "

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.

[Bluemoon]

It certainty wasn't you.

[PalJoey]

Inquiring minds need to know:

Are Headband and Namo REALLY friends on Facebook...or that just a figleaf of someone's imagination?

[Liza's Headband]

We are REALLY friends - in the real world and the virtual world. Hard to believe, I know.

It was only a few days ago he suggested that Fox News would be adopting "I Don't Understand The Poor" as its official theme song. I think that's a fabulous, and hysterical, idea.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Christ, you're the worst.

[tazber]

It's a shame that yet another thread which could have sparked profound and challenging discussion has been derailed.



Thanks for the link, Namo. I'm one of those people the author describes as being delighted about the strides we have made in the past 8 years. But she has challenged my perception and made me re-think my stance on so many things.

I will definitely be looking inward and redefining my barometer for success.

[TheatreDiva90016]

It keeps saying it's going away and then never leaves.


It's like a rash.

[FindingNamo]

I think of myself as having a *good* sense of humor.

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

It was an interesting article. I don't think it's wrong to celebrate victories large and small along the way. As long as the celebration doesn't lead to complacency I think it's healthy.

Minor advances, like the first openly gay NFL player, are REALLY big deals in some arenas, and the progress that will be made changing attitudes shouldn't be trivialized. I have religiously watched Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption for years, and I never thought I'd ever hear them talk about gay rights on those programs in a million years. In the long history of the gay movement this act might receive little attention, but big change comes from a lot of little change.

[PalJoey]

It was only a few days ago he suggested that Fox News would be adopting "I Don't Understand The Poor" as its official theme song.

In which world did he say that? On BWW, on FB or in the real world?

[FindingNamo]

I assure you PJ, there is no world in which I would be friends with the likes of an LH. He's bluffing.

[Liza's Headband]

It was on Facebook, PJ.

I have no reason to "bluff"... What would be the point of that? I've had the pleasure of seeing your infamous performance in a local drag show (from early or mid 2000s?). I believe you only have that evidence on DVD or VHS, and you rarely show it. If that's not proof enough I really don't know what it is...

And yes, folks. This is a serious post and the video of FN performing a cabaret type song -- cannot remember what the song was -- in a drag show does exist!!! You showed it to me once, FN.

Whatever. You can stay in denial. Maybe you should pick your friends more carefully if you really feel none of them could ever be the horrible, wretched Liza's Headband. Heaven forbid!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Effie, you goin' crazy.

[FindingNamo]

What would be the point of it? I would assume you're trying to freak me out but you're not because nothing you're saying is true. No. Thing.

[PalJoey]

You're either friends on Facebook or you're not. Especially if you're friends in real life as well.

Unless there's a third possibility...

[SNAFU]

I am betting it is the third possibility!

[FindingNamo]

Oh there are many possibilities. LH's bad psychic impersonation is worth the price of admission though: "There's a performance of some sort of a song of some kind and it was preserved on some media and it has rarely been seen. So you see, I know you in real life as these factual details prove!" But no, LH. If any of it were true I would obviously know exactly who you are. But you're bluffing.

[SNAFU]

And you are sharing this on a public message board because.... Please Liza, I forgot the reason?

[SNAFU]

Namo, did a none night stand go all Glen Close on yo' butt and do you have a pet rabbit?

[FindingNamo]

I love bunnies!

I realize that the times I went against my instincts and treated LH as if he weren't the troll he has clearly revealed himself to be was a different sort of tolerance trap. But a trap nonetheless.

[SNAFU]

Will reread the article when I get home. It hit and many many good points! Will take some time to digest without ringing phones.

[PalJoey]

Ringing phones. Lypsinka, 1993.

http://youtu.be/EAEwvMS1rxI