A gay man's mass email to his family demanding they stop voting for Republicans went viral. His dad said it helped change his mind.

[Pohemi]

But his parents don't hate him for who he is. That was kind of my main point. Which is, how do you threaten to end your relationship with supportive parents over them voting republican? Seems extreme to me but YMMV I guess.

His parents may support him as an individual, but if they vote (and are active in the community of) GOP, they are voting for all of the actively harmful and spiteful legislation being levied against their child. Doesn't seem too extreme to me when put in that context.

Also- parents might be the main reason for the letter, or they might not. His intended targets may have been extended family. I have a LARGE extended family, and these are the family members that I've written off.

Based on the response from his father though, it seems he was included among the targets.

Why would I want a relationship with someone supporting those who are enacting laws against me? How much can they really care about me if that's the case?

Yep, this.

They care about you exactly as much as they've demonstrated in the totality of their behavior. A vote doesn't say absolutely everything about someone.

I've written off family and former friends due to their political beliefs and voting for lesser reasoning than this. I don't care if it's tribalistic or not.

I will not associate with people who continue to knowingly vote for harming others simply because of who they are. Too many vote on single wedge issues. If they justify it with, "well, I really don't like how they punish people, but I can't ignore this other minor wedge issue", they can fuck off with that.

If I were gay, trans, a minority, etc. I can imagine those opinions would just be that much stronger.

Edit: to clarify a bit - I didn't cut contact with just 'anyone and everyone' who had ever voted for a Republican candidate or might in the future.
I have more reasonable and past-the-surface thinking family members who have voted conservative in the past, and refused to vote for MAGA imbeciles, or Republicans in general any longer. These aren't people that I wrote-off because of their political beliefs.
It was the ones who will just always vote GOP no matter what, no matter how bad the candidate/policies, no matter how bad the hate and spite gets. They do this because of one stupid issue that I also won't agree with, such as abortion or because the trans kids boogeyman scares them. These are the assholes I don't care if I ever see again. I have no time for them.

 

[Pohemi]

I just showed them the platform of the Republican Party in Texas and ended the conversation.

So much for that separation of church and state, huh?

 

[dank69]

I'm honestly baffled that it is still socially acceptable to be a Republican. Everyone should be doing this, and not just because of civil rights. Voting Republican is voting for suffering and death. Full stop.

 

[MrSquished]

But his parents don't hate him for who he is. That was kind of my main point. Which is, how do you threaten to end your relationship with supportive parents over them voting republican? Seems extreme to me but YMMV I guess.

How much do you really accept someone when you vote for people that are trying to destroy and oppress them

 

[sportage]

I would think that any gay person or trans person or any minority person would absolutely despise when family says WE JUST WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY. Or when friends say I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST YOU OR AGAINST GAYS. I'M OK WITH YOU BEING GAY.

This implies a sense of superiority and judgment to talk like that. Like saying yes, I know you're a pervert but I'm ok with you because you're my friend. Or suggests that family members are willing to tolerate, but not quite accept.
I don't think gays or trans or any minority need be preached to nor justified or qualified by others. A good response to such judgment from others might be, who the hell cares if you are willing to accept or tolerate my life? When is your life so wonderful that you need to address mine?
You need to know who your friends really are. And how important family really is.

 

[Amused]

Imagine being Jewish and having people tell you it's too much to tell a person voting for the Nazis that they have to choose... You, or the Nazis. That if they continue to support the Nazis, you will you'll be forced to cut them off.

This is the fucking same.

 

[cytg111]

Yea we've all had to let go of that one racist friend right? Some shit is just too much and some people are not reachable -> you gotta go.

 

[Pohemi]

Yea we've all had to let go of that one racist friend right? Some shit is just too much and some people are not reachable -> you gotta go.

I let go of quite a few 'friends' in my mid to later teens. Some had bothered me for some time, but were just part of the same circles etc. so it was hard to avoid them. It was HS after all. There were 1 or 2 'good friends' that I wrote-off as well after paying better attention to other people's behaviors than I had when I was younger.

Family being written off didn't happen for another 20 to 25 years afterwards (in the last 5 to 10 years.)

After moving when I was 17, I was exposed to a much wider range of diversity and culture than where I had grown up. What a difference 140 miles can make. The people I associated with after moving were far less tolerant of the random single racist assholes that might intermingle. They'd be taught a better way (and be willing to learn), or they'd be shown the door.

 

[Brovane]

So much for that separation of church and state, huh?

Oh yea, Separation of church and state only applies for them when they are not taking about Christianity.

 

[darkswordsman17]

My cousin is gay. Her Mom is a Turmper and right wing zealot. They live together. I honestly have no clue how you could do that. But then my family is incredibly fucked up.

That song is so cringe considering the lyrics include him going "I'm SUPER NOT GAY tho", essentially he "no homo" in the song, that's celebrated for supposedly supporting LGBTQ+. Granted for the time that still was progressive as far as lyrics by mainstream male music act, but I always thought it was incredibly fucked up that he felt the need to include that shit.

The problem is you can't really be supportive and for their abolishment at the same time. It means they were, at best, giving lip service to being supportive, while when asked to actually do something to support them choosing instead to use their vote to promote discrimination against them.

Yep. Its the bullshit that duped people into think John McCain wasn't a full of shit asshole every much as Turmp. He only paid lip service to things, be it Veterans' care in hospitals, his own daughter, or the American people.

 

[darkswordsman17]

- Feeling asshole-ish today so gonna go debbie downer on the story

Father dropped from his republican club because his club got wind of the letter from his son and father was nervous about how they'd view him.
Father told son he will never vote republican again but what that actually means is that he simply will not vote for anyone for the first couple elections but will sneak back in if FoxNews tells him a minority or a "Uppity"women might win.
Father conceded to his Wife yelling at him to stop being an asshole because Father realizes he will be dead soon anyway and he would feel guilty if his son didn't make it to his funeral.

Yeah, almost guarantee the dad doesn't stop voting Republican. At best they might hope for him to just stop voting (if he even was actually voting) and maybe STFU with his right wing ranting somewhat.

This is a fluff piece that won't change anything other than make right wingers feel even more persecuted "see they're openly calling to cut you off your family for being Republican!"

 

[A///]

I'm still trying to work my head around the concept of gay republicans after learning about them a few years ago. This is one of those times where I'll go back to my English roots and call you Americans, of which I am one now, fucking nuts to think that's normal. Or specifically the gay ones who are proud republicans. Of course gay tories exist. My old childhood friend who's not been a friend in decades as we lost touch was clearly of the homosexual variety when we were kids, something I realized in my adult years. Last I asked with people whom I still talk to he's a racist right wing tory voting nutjob. Ironic considering his family were labour voting hippies.

 

[Zor Prime]

I'm still trying to work my head around the concept of gay republicans after learning about them a few years ago.

Yup, they exist, known some. Wasn't that surprising to me to encounter any. What surprised me is meeting a black Muslim Republican, who went on to be one of the people I respect the most. I idolize the guy for his intelligence and skills, he taught me quite a lot about life.

As for this son doing his father dirty like this, he's a narcissistic attention whore. So stunning. So brave. With some luck the father will figure out his love has been taken advantage of in one of the most insidious ways possible and disown the punk. Relationships are a two-way street, the father has been supportive of this jerk since forever and didn't ask him to change. It's only fair of the son to change something about himself if he's asking someone else to change something about them. Guarantee you the punk wouldn't change anything about theirself, it's all about him. If one of my kids pulled this shit I'd wish them well and remove him from any inheritance and give their share to one of my other kids who apparently deserve it more. Call me a dick, I don't give a shit, you won't catch me being emotionally held hostage -- been there, done that.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Yeah, almost guarantee the dad doesn't stop voting Republican. At best they might hope for him to just stop voting (if he even was actually voting) and maybe STFU with his right wing ranting somewhat.

This is a fluff piece that won't change anything other than make right wingers feel even more persecuted "see they're openly calling to cut you off your family for being Republican!"

which, of course, would just be more projection by republicans.

 

[Paratus]

Yup, they exist, known some. Wasn't that surprising to me to encounter any. What surprised me is meeting a black Muslim Republican, who went on to be one of the people I respect the most. I idolize the guy for his intelligence and skills, he taught me quite a lot about life.

As for this son doing his father dirty like this, he's a narcissistic attention whore. So stunning. So brave. With some luck the father will figure out his love has been taken advantage of in one of the most insidious ways possible and disown the punk. Relationships are a two-way street, the father has been supportive of this jerk since forever and didn't ask him to change. It's only fair of the son to change something about himself if he's asking someone else to change something about them. Guarantee you the punk wouldn't change anything about theirself, it's all about him. If one of my kids pulled this shit I'd wish them well and remove him from any inheritance and give their share to one of my other kids who apparently deserve it more. Call me a dick, I don't give a shit, you won't catch me being emotionally held hostage -- been there, done that.

We know you wouldn’t care. You lack empathy. You also come across as weak. The son basically says I’m cutting off ties and your response is “Nuh uh, I’m cutting you off.”

You’re damaged goods buddy.

 

[ch33zw1z]

The son obviously sees the GOP offense attacking anyone and everyone they don’t like, and legislation is coming.

 

[TheVrolok]

Yup, they exist, known some. Wasn't that surprising to me to encounter any. What surprised me is meeting a black Muslim Republican, who went on to be one of the people I respect the most. I idolize the guy for his intelligence and skills, he taught me quite a lot about life.

As for this son doing his father dirty like this, he's a narcissistic attention whore. So stunning. So brave. With some luck the father will figure out his love has been taken advantage of in one of the most insidious ways possible and disown the punk. Relationships are a two-way street, the father has been supportive of this jerk since forever and didn't ask him to change. It's only fair of the son to change something about himself if he's asking someone else to change something about them. Guarantee you the punk wouldn't change anything about theirself, it's all about him. If one of my kids pulled this shit I'd wish them well and remove him from any inheritance and give their share to one of my other kids who apparently deserve it more. Call me a dick, I don't give a shit, you won't catch me being emotionally held hostage -- been there, done that.

Holy shit.

 

[Brovane]

I'm still trying to work my head around the concept of gay republicans after learning about them a few years ago. This is one of those times where I'll go back to my English roots and call you Americans, of which I am one now, fucking nuts to think that's normal. Or specifically the gay ones who are proud republicans. Of course gay tories exist. My old childhood friend who's not been a friend in decades as we lost touch was clearly of the homosexual variety when we were kids, something I realized in my adult years. Last I asked with people whom I still talk to he's a racist right wing tory voting nutjob. Ironic considering his family were labour voting hippies.

During the 2016 election, Trump and some Republicans did actually make a effort to reach out LGBT people. However they have since swung back to pandering to the Republican evangelical base.

Trump on gay rights

 

[Zor Prime]

We know you wouldn’t care. You lack empathy. You also come across as weak. The son basically says I’m cutting off ties and your response is “Nuh uh, I’m cutting you off.”

You’re damaged goods buddy.

Be nice if you could read or is that a stretch for you? Is that asking too much of you? I apologize for that if that's the case. Let me help you, read this slowly, I said I would wish them well. I never said a thing about throwing in their face I was removing inheritance -- I wouldn't give a shit if they knew or not, they can find out after I'm dead.

That's fine if I come across as weak, I don't care ... I guess you care about that on the Internet. Pathetic. Nonetheless, good day.

 

[Paratus]

Be nice if you could read or is that a stretch for you? Is that asking too much of you? I apologize for that if that's the case. Let me help you, read this slowly, I said I would wish them well. I never said a thing about throwing in their face I was removing inheritance -- I wouldn't give a shit if they knew or not, they can find out after I'm dead.

That's fine if I come across as weak, I don't care ... I guess you care about that on the Internet. Pathetic. Nonetheless, good day.

he said have a lovely afternoon.

 

[ch33zw1z]

During the 2016 election, Trump and some Republicans did actually make a effort to reach out LGBT people. However they have since swung back to pandering to the Republican evangelical base.

Trump on gay rights

View attachment 78347

oh, trumps “faction” was full of shit? Shocking

I like how that LGBT’s for trump is just sharpied on. Nothing like last minute chicken scratches to show how serious you are

 

[A///]

During the 2016 election, Trump and some Republicans did actually make a effort to reach out LGBT people. However they have since swung back to pandering to the Republican evangelical base.

That was always the biggest bag of horse shit ever.

 

[pcgeek11]

Congrats to Ryan. Also, to his dad for having an open mind. It's going to take actions like this to stop the Republican campaign to demonize groups they hate.

Email


The sad part of this story is Ryan felt he had no choice to send this to stop the madness.

Response from father


A gay man's mass email to his family demanding they stop voting for Republicans went viral. His dad said it helped change his mind. (yahoo.com)

Think Ryan went too far?

He is entitled to his opinion. I don't know why he thinks everyone else isn't entitled to theirs. Seems to be close minded. My son and daughter in law are very liberal and we have an excellent relationship. I don't think you should wreck your family over politics.

"Hear me clearly — you cannot vote for the GOP and continue to have a relationship with me. No exceptions. I am inviting no dialogue, and I have no interest in nuance,"

 

[brycejones]

During the 2016 election, Trump and some Republicans did actually make a effort to reach out LGBT people. However they have since swung back to pandering to the Republican evangelical base.

Trump on gay rights

View attachment 78347

That was shown to be bullshit even before the 2016 election.

 

[ch33zw1z]

He is entitled to his opinion. I don't know why he thinks everyone else isn't entitled to theirs. Seems to be close minded. My son and daughter in law are very liberal and we have an excellent relationship. I don't think you should wreck your family over politics.

that quote doesn’t say what you assert it does.