2021-10-19 10:23:13
I was talking about my dad to a follower today, and it got me thinking about just HOW MUCH he has prepared me for this.
In 2017, he was approached by a family friend on behalf of the ACL to be in one of their 'You can say No' ads. He accepted, and from about September 2017, he was known as the homophobic tradie.
Now, I honestly don't mind where people sit on the Gay Marriage issue, nor do I believe it's relevant while I tell this story. The thing I'm trying to highlight is, my dad has ALWAYS been vocal about maintaining your freedom of thought from the 'thought police', and for standing up for your beliefs in the face of ridicule.
We were warned by the ACL to expect backlash and removed all our 'family ties' on social media, as they warned they would come after his family if there was a public link.
The ad came out while I was in Canada with my family. I had friends message me to tell me my dad was on TV, some friends ridiculed him to my face, while the media labeled, judged and berated him. The comments on social media ranged from 'Imagine if his daughter was lesbian, how ashamed would his kids be of him?! To' this says a lot about the ignorant, hateful older generation. It's all about them and their ability to stay homophobic and disgusting'.
I was proud, actually.
I didn't engage, I didn't reply to more than two comments. The absolute vitriol being spat at him was very similar to what I see again today with the covid hate. No diverse or different opinions allowed, and you're labeled as an offensive thought-criminal.
My dad paved the way for me in more ways than I'll ever understand. To stand with courage and conviction in the face of ridicule is certainly something we have to grow into. We aren't born with it naturally and it has to be curated after many years of facing things head on. We have a generation of people raised to not offend anyone, and to be offended by everything. Noone is taught resilience for standing apart from the crowd and standing up to families who have different beliefs, without it becoming a divisive argument.
There is no room for Hate, but plenty of room for growth. Learn to argue your Convictions decisively and calmly. And don't let the bastards bring you down.
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/i-dunno-about-this-samesex-marriage-no-votes-latest-salvo/news-story/4d99552ac093dce6480daa8e05225a86
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