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Virginia Taylor's avatar

Thanks for this hugely important reminder

Some of us who are thoroughly enmeshed with immigrants under attack, can’t afford certain types of exposure

AND we can give financially; AND we can persuade (naive,ignorant, bamboozled) family, friends and congregants who are unlikely to betray us, to get on board the freedom train. AND we can offer soul space for those who are suffering “the slings and arrows” of our national disgrace

When we harbor those who are cruelly targeted, let’s be creative and generous in our activities on behalf of all who are cruelly targeted

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Wendy Hill Williams's avatar

So true Virginia, there are many players in an active war, strategically fighting in their respective positions.

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Tommie Jayne Wasserberg's avatar

George Carlin pointed out that fighting for peace was like screwing for virginity. The Lakota elders at Standing Rock insisted that all massed assemblies must be peaceful and prayerful. Hans and Sophie Scholl admonished their White Rose Society readers not to become fascist themselves fighting fascism. Fred Hampton pointed out that we can't fight fire with fire, but must fight it with water, rising in solidarity as one people united to save ourselves from authoritarian psychopathy. The Owner class, Booboisie Class and Universal Soldier Class only comprise about 4% of the world population; not a very big club at all. A little bit of boogie-oogie-oogie struggling will break the yoke of oppression they've laid on the world.

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Doris's avatar

The most effective leader of any resistance was Gandhi, who met tyranny and cruelty with peace. Love, and forbearance. But this only works if people show up in massive numbers and quietly and resolutely say no. This is what must be done. Stopping work by the millions. Stopping traffic at roads and bridges by the thousands. Stopping any law enforcement who try to “just follow orders” by every able man, woman’s and child.

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kasperhauser's avatar

Gandhi had an enemy that could be shamed. We do not. Ask Gaza.

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Ian Huntington's avatar

As a married gay man, I am worried about the likely threats to the progress made during my 75 years of life. I am worried that the financial security of my younger, Italian-born husband.

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JATM's avatar

John, you always know just what to say and how to say it so that the reader has no choice but to reflect. Thank you

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Diane Moe's avatar

I will protect fiercely but I will not war with people who have been indoctrinated by the Abrahamic religions. Can't have a battle of wits with people who are not equipped.

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Kim Hamblin's avatar

Measles is contagious. Queer, a word that is pejorative, is not. I can’t become gay by association with a gay man unless I am biologically predisposed to homosexuality. In that case, I would seek the association. It’s in the brain. This is not a pure choice; it comes with consequences in society that none of us would choose. LBGQT+ people do not harm the country. They don’t “recruit “ anyone. They work, pay taxes, go to church, and participate in the same activities as “straights “. Gay pride month is not the same as Black history month. We don’t see daily articles about the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people. They want acceptance and an opportunity to gather and support each other in peace.

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steven lassoff's avatar

Did some research relative to the Nazi's and the LGBTQ and disabled community. My daughter is disabled.

The current attack is right out of the Nazi Playbook

An estimated 100,000 men were arrested for homosexuality between 1933 and 1945; about 50,000 were convicted, and thousands were sent to concentration camps. In these camps, gay men were often identified by a pink triangle. They faced brutal treatment, with a death rate estimated at around 60%, higher than that of many other prisoner groups.

The Wiener Holocaust Library.

The so-called "Aktion T4" program, launched in 1939, marked the beginning of the systematic murder of disabled people. Children and adults with disabilities were killed by lethal injection, starvation, or in gas chambers disguised as the T4 program. It is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of approximately 200,000–300,000 disabled people by 1945.

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

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Wendy Hill Williams's avatar

We must resist with non violent protests like with Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., the suffragettes, the March on Washington and other forms of civil disobedience and resistance.

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Matthew Ward's avatar

Hear, hear! As a WASP cis-gender male of the baby boomer generation, as a gay man I have enjoyed the privilege of retreating to the closet to avoid confrontation. You have reminded me that I must come out in support of my ignorantly demonized trans sisters and brothers; they are the ones most in need of an amplified voice.

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rebecca's avatar

Yes, yes yes yes yes!! I have a 🏳️‍⚧️ son and I’m willing to die for him and the rest of the 🏳️‍🌈 community. To paraphrase Nathan Hale: “ I regret that I have but one life to give for my (queer family.)

The fascists and Christian nationalist bigots are prepared to kill and die - we have to be as well.

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William Cunninghame's avatar

And war it shall be! I shared this article on my FB timeline and asked all my allies to share it as well. Onward and upward!

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Susan Theriault's avatar

Thanks for your message,John.

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klmr's avatar

Social media posts for events in and around Denver have been inundated with hater cruelty comments. It's so disturbing! So different from the past four years. And we are a blue state with a gay governor!

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Margaret Wisniewski's avatar

Thank you, Jon! You have given the word “pride” a whole new meaning!

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Jo Burns's avatar

Thank you for your poignant reminder. I had the pleasure of standing beside an LGBT person/advocate at our protest this weekend. She was a fantastic reminder we cannot take anything for granted and must speak out about everything!

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Bambi Sears's avatar

Thank you John. As a Queer person I am moved by your words.

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