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No its not the same magnitude but it still has its effects - In my case trainspotting resulted in some ridicule behind my back AND I discovered later I missed out on a promotion that many thought was a natural step for me.
It still results in a loss of self worth, frustration and bitterness.
No its not the same magnitude but it still has its effects - In my case trainspotting resulted in some ridicule behind my back AND I discovered later I missed out on a promotion that many thought was a natural step for me.
It still results in a loss of self worth, frustration and bitterness.
Must admit, my age and general befuddlement made me wonder what this thread was going to be about. For an instant I wondered whether a Rev Awdry unpublished story had been discovered where Thomas and Henry were getting up to things in the engine shed after lights out, so I was a bit disappointed to discover the rather boring reality. However, age notwithstanding, I'd like to be another confirmed hetero to add my voice to those supporting this small gesture by SWR. It does no harm, and may do some good if it makes people think.
I see no problem with it whatsoever. People need to feel represented. Trust me when I say it is the loneliest feeling if you're LGBT and in the closet with little representation around you.
Some people in the thread are just being extremely ignorant. And frankly if you say you're against same-sex marriage, then yes I do think you are homophobic and nothing will convince me otherwise.
I see no problem with it whatsoever. People need to feel represented. Trust me when I say it is the loneliest feeling if you're LGBT and in the closet with little representation around you.
Some people in the thread are just being extremely ignorant. And frankly if you say you're against same-sex marriage, then yes I do think you are homophobic and nothing will convince me otherwise.
I agree and it is my view that, for instance, a gay person still has a right to happiness including a relationship. It is a shame that some cannot function and explore their needs because of a fear of prejudice.
My view of a lot of the LGBTQ+ is that if they are happy then who cares. They are not hurting me. Some might find it offensive but then just don't think about it. But it is better not to go as far as insulting those who have difficulties with gays (etc) as that risks putting the the insult-er in the same bracket. This thread might have opened up a few peoples minds which is less achievable if mud is getting slung about.
I do find it slightly insulting that you seem to suggest that we can pick and choose our faith in the manner of someone picking out their wardrobe. I believe in God simply because I have seen Him do marvellous things, and I know I can trust His guidance above my independent wisdom. I'm not going to turn my back on Him simply if I don't agree with with his Word on marriage - I accept that God is infinitely wiser than I am, and has infinitely more authority.
There’s a difference between people judging you for your choices - like how you choose to spend your free time - and people judging your inherent and immutable nature, like your race or sexuality or disability.
I’m sure some people who don’t know me think differently (or less!) of me for my occupation or hobbies or which football team I support and they’re quite entitled to do so. Those are my choices which I made freely, aware of potential consequences. Such is life’s rich tapestry.
You can’t claim to understand prejudice on the same level as homophobia because you went to spot trains and people derided you for it.
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There’s a difference between people judging you for your choices - like how you choose to spend your free time - and people judging your inherent and immutable nature, like your race or sexuality or disability.
I’m sure some people who don’t know me think differently (or less!) of me for my occupation or hobbies or which football team I support and they’re quite entitled to do so. Those are my choices which I made freely, aware of potential consequences. Such is life’s rich tapestry.
You can’t claim to understand prejudice on the same level as homophobia because you went to spot trains and people derided you for it.
Show me in my post (151) where I said that my experience was the same - I said "No its not the same magnitude but it still has its effects".
I might not understand it on the same level but I still have some appreciation.
EDIT - and bear in mind I lost a promotion over the prejudice and I bet a few LGBTQ have suffered same. Does not matter what the prejudice was caused by. As for magnitude I can imagine there are members of the LGBTQ that have suffered worse than lost career opportunities.
I do find it slightly insulting that you seem to suggest that we can pick and choose our faith in the manner of someone picking out their wardrobe. I believe in God simply because I have seen Him do marvellous things, and I know I can trust His guidance above my independent wisdom. I'm not going to turn my back on Him simply if I don't agree with with his Word on marriage - I accept that God is infinitely wiser than I am, and has infinitely more authority.
You *can* choose your religion, your branch of Christianity or whatever other religion you believe in. LGBTQ people do not have the choice to not be LGBTQ. As an aside, I was raised as a catholic but left the church long before I realised my gender and sexuality. Now I've realised those things about myself I literally could not return to the church, even if I wanted to.
Why do so many Christians profess this "hate the sin, love the sinner" mantra? Why can't you just accept us for how we live our lives, and not judge the supposed "sins" you think we're committing?
We also have a government hellbent on rolling back the progress we’ve made over the last 20 years, and who have a specific hatred of trans, intersex, and gender non-confirming people.
This is totally untrue. The Westminster Government are not rolling back anything that impacts the LGB part of LGBTQ+, and on the T part they are simply keeping the status quo - in particular by blocking the changes that the Scottish Government attempted. And nothing that the Government has done provides any indication of hatred towards LGBTQ+ people.
I might also remind you that a previous incarnation of this same Government is the one that brought in gay marriage. That's hardly, rolling back progress, is it?
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Why do so many Christians profess this "hate the sin, love the sinner" mantra? Why can't you just accept us for how we live our lives, and not judge the supposed "sins" you think we're committing?
Because it's what many Christians genuinely believe. A standard part of Christian theology is that we are *all* sinners to the extent that we all do many wrong things in our lives, but we should love everyone anyway. That's basically what 'hate the sin, love the sinner' means.
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if need to recruit from people to the railway other than men is a factor motivating this, then I'd have thought trying to attract women would be rather more fruitful than trying to attract non-heterosexual people (50% of whom are likely to be men). I'm pretty sure there are far more women in the UK than there are sexual minorities, so you instantly have a much bigger pool of people to recruit from.
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So if, in the name of supporting all kinds of different people, SWR decide to do a big promotion about supporting - say - Tories or fox hunters or capitalists or any other political group/community, then you'll have no objection, right?
Because it's what many Christians genuinely believe. A standard part of Christian theology is that we are *all* sinners to the extent that we all do many wrong things in our lives, but we should love everyone anyway. That's basically what 'hate the sin, love the sinner' means.
Exactly. I believe that it is fundamental to the nature of God - after all, if it was "hate the sin, hate the sinner" then He would universally hate all of us, right? Unless there is the suggestion that perfect people exist in this world, which sadly is not true.
if need to recruit from people to the railway other than men is a factor motivating this, then I'd have thought trying to attract women would be rather more fruitful than trying to attract non-heterosexual people (50% of whom are likely to be men). I'm pretty sure there are far more women in the UK than there are sexual minorities, so you instantly have a much bigger pool of people to recruit from.
So if, in the name of supporting all kinds of different people, SWR decide to do a big promotion about supporting - say - Tories or fox hunters or capitalists or any other political group/community, then you'll have no objection, right?
The "hate the sin, love the sinner" BS needs to go. It's so sanctimonious and self-righteous almost implying that you are the moral arbiter. I and no other gay person needs your approval. Someone being gay does not affect you, simple as.
The "hate the sin, love the sinner" BS needs to go. It's so sanctimonious and self-righteous almost implying that you are the moral arbiter. I and no other gay person needs your approval. Someone being gay does not affect you, simple as.
Wow, so you'd abolish an entire belief system, which by the way Christians widely apply to *everything*, not just to sex, (and which to my mind, set in its proper context, works pretty well) purely because you don't like the way that some people apply it to the single particular issue of gay sex.
Your tolerance towards people with different belief systems is clearly astounding
(And by the way, before you jump to any conclusions, I totally support equal rights - including gay marriage. But I also feel appalled by the utter intolerance that people who generally share my opinions about gay rights so often display towards those who have deeply held religious beliefs - an intolerance which is on very clear display in this thread).
A fascinating thread, and one that demonstrates that prejudice is alive and well across all spectrums. Not surprising either, after all we are a species of deeply flawed, ape-descended meat-bags, driven by neurotic ghosts. What did we expect...
Whilst we absolutely should be working towards a more tolerant & inclusive society for all creeds, colours & genders, it is perhaps worth remembering that in the rush to include it is very easy to leave people behind. And in some circumstances worse still, put people into uncomfortable, even possibly dangerous situations. A few coloured stickies on the side of a train shouldn't be the cause of anxiety, but that it could be still needs an understanding as to why. For many people, in particular people in older generations, there have been rapid and widescale changes to society, none of which they have had a say in which or benefit from. Not everyone adapts as quickly to these changes as others, they simply don't. Worse still some of these people feel like they are being blamed for not changing, or being blamed for things beyond their control, or before they even drew their first breath. So some anxiety is not only to be expected, but actually quite understandable.
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However, age notwithstanding, I'd like to be another confirmed hetero to add my voice to those supporting this small gesture by SWR. It does no harm, and may do some good if it makes people think.
