Seen on Facebook: "The Difference Between a Changed Heart and a Changed Circumstance"

[QueerDuck]

Note: The person I "stole" it from says he did not write it... and was just sharing it. (It sounds a bit AI enhanced... but the message still resonates with me too, so I thought I'd share it here.)

I’ve been reflecting on why I find it easy to forgive those who have moved past anti-LGBTQ views, yet I struggle to find that same grace for MAGA voters who are only now expressing regret after "finding out."

For me, it comes down to the "Why" behind the change.

When I see someone unlearn homophobia or transphobia, I’m seeing a genuine shift in empathy. They’ve usually done the hard work of humanizing a group they didn't understand. Their heart changed because they realized their previous stance caused unnecessary pain to others. To me, that is a moral evolution, and it’s something worth celebrating and forgiving.

In contrast, much of the regret I see from the MAGA movement lately feels transactional. It often only surfaces when the policies they championed finally start hurting their own wallets, their own businesses, or their own families.

There is a fundamental difference between:
--- "I'm sorry I hurt you" (Empathy-based growth)
--- "I'm sorry this is now hurting me" (Self-interest-based regret)

It’s hard for me to offer "forgiveness" for the latter because the underlying values haven't necessarily changed—only the circumstances have.

One is a change of heart; the other is just a reaction to the bill finally coming due.

[mwmisses4289]

1. "He's hurting the wrong people!" she wailed.

[QueerDuck]

2. Very concise. That sums-up their perspective, doesn't it?

[QueerDuck]

3. Kicking for the PM crowd. 🍷🍷❤️🥰