Metanoia

[qos]

In this video from August 2007, the Republican mayor of San Diego offers an emotional explanation of why he is reversing his previously stated opinion and is now supporting the rights of gays and lesbians to marry.

What I find most interesting is the reason for his reversal: that he has a daughter, staff, and friends who are gay or lesbian, and in the end he found he could not look them in the eye and tell them that they and their relationships were less worthy.

Isn't this what it comes down to in so many cases? It's easy to label The Other as a danger or threat so long as they remain safely, distantly, Other. As soon as they stop being Other and start having a name, start being a real person, someone you work with, or a member of your family, perhaps even the person next door, then the old fear-based judgements can not stand -- if your heart is open.

Thanks to the friend who posted this.

Comments

[spring-heel-jim.livejournal.com]

Really interesting post.

Completely agree with you - it's very easy to demonise someone or something that you don't know. Much harder to do that when you are faced with it in real life...