Our Changing World

I am really surprised at the reactions of people to some of the social changes occurring in our world these days: The acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, individuals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glbtq.com, and the decision to accept gay marriage occurred quickly in the minds of many.  I do not think it occurred quickly. I think the seeds were planted in the 60's and 70's, when he "Baby Boomers" were young, not the establishment, and exploring counter-culture ways of life. And, now that the "Baby Boomers" who went through those chaotic years of upheaval and were not "the establishment" have become "the establishment," these enlightened ideas are becoming, if not accepted yet, then at least legally protected social mores.

I think the same is happening with marijuana.  The people who are in power and authority now, were exposed, as young people, to the open and free ideas of the 60's and 70's that included the free and open use of marijuana.  They are probably people like me who may or may not have really engaged in the counter culture but saw no harm in it, and now are able to vote, wield authority and influence in the world of government and corporate America https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis_by_U.S._jurisdiction. That, along with the ideas of young people, who also see no harm in marijuana, have made the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use and in a few states, for recreational use, sensible.

So, while many people think we are having some radical social changes in a rapid way, I would say that the seeds were planted in the 1960's and 1970's and now the revolution of social change is being enacted.

Campbell's Advertisement

So, I am very bad about not watching advertisements. Tonight, I was watching Stephen Colbert http://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/.  He did a piece on a Campbell's soup advertisement http://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/news/2015/10/05/campbells-new-portfolio-advertising-campaign-celebrates-real-life-moments/.  Specifically, he showed the advertisement of a gay couple feeding their son Star Wars Soup.  This advertisement was being protested by One Million Moms http://onemillionmoms.com/. 

Colbert made the point that if the One Million Moms group had not made such a big deal about the ad, most of the rest of us would not have thought much about it.  On the other hand, now Campbell's is getting free advertising, and the One Million Moms group are looking like the haters they are! 

Pride

I just watched Pride http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3169706/ a movie about lesbians and gays supporting the Welsh miners in their strike in 1984.  This is a feel good movie.  I love a movie about underdogs, solidarity, and good endings.  This movie had it all, including some bad times and harsh feelings. 

This is a piece of fairly recent history about which I was not familiar. It is a good story.  When you think about it, if you mix gays and lesbians, miners and the Welsh, you might not know what you will get.

In this story, you get a really heartwarming and positive story, with plenty of struggle mixed in. 

I stumbled onto this movie while mining Netflix http://dvd.netflix.com/MemberHome. 

Rainbow Pride

So, I was a little slow to click to this, but I realized that Facebook had a way for people to celebrate Rainbow Pride https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT_movement), in honor of the Supreme Court's decision to make same sex marriage recognized as legal, nationwide http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-courts-landmark-ruling-legalizes-gay-marriage-nationwide/ar-AAcaBM5?ocid=ansnewsap11.  I finally figured out how to do this! Sorry I am so slow!

I have had discussions with folks I know that this is against their religion.  Sadly, these are very Christian, kind people. Some are even health care or mental health care professionals who have a professional obligation to be ethically and culturally competent in matters such as this. So, they tell me they can treat these people as they always have, with love, and respect.  But they cannot accept their right to be protected in marriage and the civil rights that marriage implies:  benefits, recognitions, legal parenthood, insurance coverage, for example. I am sorry, I do not believe they can treat homosexuals or other culturally affected people with the dignity and respect they deserve, because by denying their right to be protected civilly, you are disrespecting them, even if you think you are not.. 

I had this discussion with a colleague today. I am not good at thinking on my feet, but thinking about it now, how can "loving these people" include excluding them from the protections of civil rights, excluding them from equality of protection in employment, equality of protection of benefits like Social Security and Health Insurance, preventing one of a gay couple from being able to adopt a child. It cannot.  I am sorry.  We cannot love homosexual people unless we give them equal standing as human beings.

I understand that many religions feel that they cannot accept homosexuals because of "Biblical Teachings." Pardon me, we hide behind "Biblical Teachings" that have nothing to do with real teachings from Christ like "love one another," "treat others as you would want to be treated." "ask for forgiveness and you will be forgiven." 

If you cannot accept homosexuals as they are, with all that implies, then you cannot love them and accept them, no matter how much you protest otherwise.

This is not a gray decision.  This is a black and white decision. You either love and accept people who are gay, or you withhold your love and acceptance.  Because, really love is acceptance, and unconditional.