General Discussion

Boomer

(4,407 posts)

21. Straight is always the default assumption

Sun Dec 6, 2015, 08:20 PM

Dec 2015

The only way to change perceptions of gay people (and Wiccans, too, for that matter) is to explicitly point out their contributions. Otherwise the majority culture will generally assume people are white, straight and Christian. This default assumption allows misperceptions about the good aspects of minorities to slide right away, unrecognized.

This man gave his life to save other people, the act of a hero. We've always had gay heroes, but we didn't always know it. When gays are painted as "degenerate perverts" we need to counter those images with real examples that are meaningful to a wide audience.

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Gay man killed in San Bernardino massacre saved 4 people [View all] Photographer Dec 2015 OP

. katsy Dec 2015 #1

. hifiguy Dec 2015 #2

Sounds like a very good person flamingdem Dec 2015 #3

There are several beautiful photos and more info at the link KittyWampus Dec 2015 #4

Hoping that most do. n/t Photographer Dec 2015 #5

So sad LittleBlue Dec 2015 #6

I don't know why, but that hit me hard as well. Photographer Dec 2015 #7

If this offends anyone, please make yourself known. Quantess Dec 2015 #8

People are getting offended by obituaries now? LuvNewcastle Dec 2015 #19

A lovely man. MerryBlooms Dec 2015 #9

Not a christian. Apparently god-fearing monotheism is not necessary for people to do great good. nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2015 #10

Indeed. Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #29

Wonderful person liberalnarb Dec 2015 #11

Look at the source... Chan790 Dec 2015 #12

Thank you. Photographer Dec 2015 #13

His murder was part of ABC's coverage - LiberalElite Dec 2015 #15

We are all pan-sexual... zwyziec Dec 2015 #14

^^^^THIS^^^^ LiberalElite Dec 2015 #16

Edited Omaha Steve Dec 2015 #18

The difference, straight people, is that your society discrimiantes against us, legally in 29 States Bluenorthwest Dec 2015 #47

Where the hell did that come from? Omaha Steve Dec 2015 #49

It is not a divisive distinction to call a gay man a gay man, Steve. Bluenorthwest Dec 2015 #50

Omaha and Lincoln have LGBT protections Omaha Steve Dec 2015 #51

I know why you have no good laws, straight people make laws creating a distinction between us. Bluenorthwest Dec 2015 #52

I edited the OP Omaha Steve Dec 2015 #53

We are never allowed even one day. Not for DOMA, not for funerals. Bluenorthwest Dec 2015 #54

Guessing you didn't go to the link or notice the organization that posted this? Photographer Dec 2015 #17

= "I don't see color" mathematic Dec 2015 #20

Thank you! Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #36

+1 nt brer cat Dec 2015 #43

So very very well said. Bluenorthwest Dec 2015 #48

True, but our homophobic society DEMANDS division closeupready Dec 2015 #30

It matters because there are people who still think gays are "weak" or "unmanly" mythology Dec 2015 #34

Thank you! Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #37

when it is a person doing the wrong thing dsc Dec 2015 #59

Straight is always the default assumption Boomer Dec 2015 #21

^^ THIS Maven Dec 2015 #31

Well said! Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #38

Precisely. beam me up scottie Dec 2015 #45

Very well said. However I don't think any of us are on the 0% or 100% of all the possibilities. erronis Dec 2015 #58

A good man KT2000 Dec 2015 #22

His partner was on CNN for a few segments TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #23

I'm sorry I missed that. Photographer Dec 2015 #24

What a great man and a true hero. romanic Dec 2015 #25

Awesome couple BeyondGeography Dec 2015 #26

This thread needs a picture... TeeYiYi Dec 2015 #27

What a wonderful face he has. Love and joy shine through. Hekate Dec 2015 #41

Rest in Peace, Daniel. Raster Dec 2015 #28

.. Liberal_in_LA Dec 2015 #32

A true hero marym625 Dec 2015 #33

Maybe he walk joyously into the Summerlands. Marrah_G Dec 2015 #35

... Behind the Aegis Dec 2015 #39

He was Wiccan as well. May he rest in the Summerlands where all hurts are healed... Hekate Dec 2015 #40

Noticed that the article didn't add a definition of Wiccan eridani Dec 2015 #42

A good man, and a brave one. beam me up scottie Dec 2015 #44

... LostOne4Ever Dec 2015 #46

Saw His Partner On CNN ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #55

So sad. A true hero. nt raouldukelives Dec 2015 #56

Brave selfless act DashOneBravo Dec 2015 #57

Just like Mark Bingham on Flight 93 KamaAina Dec 2015 #60

Daniel... Dont call me Shirley Dec 2015 #61