Accept Tolerance!

[solace]

Tolerance is not the same as acceptance. They are very different creatures. What "gay" Jamaicans seem to need more than anything at this point is tolerance; to be able to freely and cleanly exist. You do not have to "accept" someone or how they live in order to allow them life and the freedom to pursue their own personal happiness, especially when that happiness does nothing to endanger anyone else. America has tolerated Black people for centuries, yet we are here, still living and thriving and working and loving ourselves and each other, and pursuing our desires and dreams in peace and quiet. We, for the most part, no longer have to be fearful of the lynching rope or the barrel of a gun. Though I cannot say without doubt that America truly accepts us, it has given us the right to life, it has tolerated us. No one is asking Jamaica to betray its history, however what is being asked is that Jamaicans read their Bible and find those scriptures where love and compassion are at the core of God's will for his creation.

[Katrina88]

I understand and agree with your point here, however, I believe that eventually tolerance will not be enough. Civil rights are won in small increments, but gay Jamaicans and LGBTQ folks all over the world should not have to settle for just being tolerated. I believe they should demand the love and compassion inherent in the original ideas behind most of the world’s religions. In one of your other posts you described how many gay Jamaicans are being murdered to “dispense God’s Wrath.” There is a radical group in the United States that while not going so far as to murder people, actually believe that AIDS has been sent from God to punish gays for their “sins.” It is outrageous that people try to use religion as a vehicle for hate and so long as LGBTQ people accept the meager offering of tolerance unaccompanied by acceptance and respect, it will be impossible for us to achieve equality. I’m just afraid that gays will get stuck being “tolerated” and that they will be afraid to risk that for more substantial rights.