Changing Minds
On International Day Against Homophobia, Youmanity’s supporter, Caroline Wilson, finds it strange that people who suffer because of bigotry still hold strong prejudices of their own. Of course, one person’s pet hates never seem unreasonable to them.
“A close family relative, let’s call her Suri, mentioned to me that everyone’s talking about gender fluidity these days. Alarm bells rang in my head. I felt I must tread carefully here. Suri and I talked about just everything. Together we explored many different topics - some quite taboo. However, it now transpired Suri had a secret - something to do with gender fluidity. It also transpired she wanted me to help spill the beans to her more conservative family members. I came to the decision that, as much as I wanted to help, this wasn’t my secret to tell.
Suri is a strict christian whose faith is unshakable. I often envy her certainty in all things but, to me, the Bible is like words on a page to someone with dyslexia. I cannot get my head round it. That said, Suri’s faith has given her a strength I admire - I wouldn’t dismiss it just because I don’t understand it.
So I take a breath and tell Suri that conversations around gender fluidity are to be welcomed. I appeal to the feminist in Suri to say that stereotypes around blue for boys and pink for girls, footballs for boys and dolls for girls etc. can be very limiting to all of us. I tread softly, softly, slowly, slowly. She goes quiet and I hope that have given her food for thought. More importantly, I have encouraged her to speak more freely about her feelings for other women.
It’s a small step, but I am optimistic - Suri loves her family and I believe this love is stronger than the disapproval she may meet in family members. I won’t change anyone's mind with clever debates. We all need to stay open to conversations for as long as it takes.
I know that, soon or later, Suri's Christian relatives will understand and embrace the concept of gender fluidity??
