We have the right to be, or chose

[Just One Woman]

The point is "People have a right to be who or what they are", period. If one is not free, none of us are free. I am straight, but it really doesn't matter. I will stand and fight to defend the rights of my fellow humans because we all get to be what we are, or the way we choose to live our life. The choice comes with either living out who you are, or suppressing yourself and living in oppression. And so what if we choose the lifestyle of freedom. I say that makes us patriotic. Ms. Jarrett was mistaken in her words and misguided in her understanding of what it means to be free. But she has that right. She is wrong, but we have freedom of speech. She gets to speak her mind.

Don't let words offend. She has no power over you. Be strong in who you are and know that freedom means you get to be who you are. If there are those that do not accept, put them out of your focus. Focus on those that do accept people as they are. There are many. Focus on bringing rights for all to be what they are. Since when are we going to let anyone tell us what or who we are, or if we choose, what we choose to be. Don't let others define how you live your life. If you want to get married, do it. Use the power of attorney to keep others out of your decisions. Exercising this freedom will make it stronger.

Oh, and by the way, if all homosexuality is a choice, (which it is not), someone needs to tell the penguins at our aquarium.

[stray cat]

1. And the tea par tiers and conservatives, DLCers and blue dogs have an equal right

Live and let live

[Ineeda]

2. Slightly off topic, but you mentioned penguins....

I assume you've heard of the book "And Tango Makes Three" about two male penguins in New York who pined for parenthood, were given an egg, hatched it and raised a chick. Awesome story and a wonderful way for children to learn. It's made the Banned Book list since it was published. I gave my little granddaughters a copy.

[Just One Woman]

3. Actually no

I haven't read it, but it sounds like a nice story. I live in Chattanooga, TN. I am constantly surprised at how this red state overlooks this inconvenient truth.

[Just One Woman]

4. off topic

I see what you mean about off topic, sorry. But this subject does seem to be the general discussion of everyone right now. We just lost a senior to suicide, and there are just too many that feel they have no way and no one.

[Ineeda]

5. Welcome to DU, by the way.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss in your community. It's too bad that the current "It'll Get Better" campaign didn't reach him/her.

[DCKit]

6. Perhaps Ms. Jarrett has just received an education in tolerance.

You gotta' teach one at a time. Especially bigots.

I didn't even know until today that she is Black but, when I heard, I thought to myself "that explains a lot". I've lived in DC for over twenty years, and homophobia in the Black community is unbelievable, but not as bad as it used to be... judging by the street displays.

Aside from that, being in this Administration, she's got a gazillion different issues to deal with and I can't fault her for not keeping up.