Yo, DU. I think we all need to take a deep breath, just for a moment, to remember

[Heidi]

93. No, not "whatever." There are people in this community who are told

every election cycle to simmer down lest their insistence on equal rights and equal respect cost the Dems an election. Their concerns are described by many so-called progressives as fringe issues (as if expecting to be treated as equal under the law is some crazy, futuristic idea). And then, when they _do_ go to the back of the bus in order to support what the party claims is the "greater good" (getting Dems elected), they're accused of poutrage and pearl clutching for asking fellow progressives to treat LGBT people with respect.

I'm not gay, but I'm also not oblivious to the raft of utter horsesh!t my LGBT brothers and sisters endure, day in and day out, from the very people who they could most reasonably expect to support their quest for equality and respect. I mean, how difficult is it--really--to refer to Cpl. Manning as "Chelsea"? The learning curve could not possibly be that steep.

No, not "whatever."