Thank you for writing this and also sorry that you have to deal with this bs just for trying to create educational content that makes the rest of us feel seen. I think you hit the nail on the head with your second point- they're not the people you're trying to reach. Also, you're absolutely right that these are the cowards that would never say it to your face or mine. Sending you love.
Sarah, try not to take it too personally. It's not just you or your work that is being disrespected this way. You can see it in politics around the world. There is a sizeable minority who seem to be consumed by hatred, jealousy and fear. Lashing out at anyone who proposes a new, and therefore liberal, concept is the release valve for the venom accumulating inside of them.
Saying there is only a small group is minimising the damage through stigma and discrimination that is done to many marginalised groups. It doesn’t matter how big or small they are, they are there and they are given space to keep doing what they do. Putting more pressure on us to not take it personally when it is an actual danger to many of us is low key victim blaming and absolutely not helping the issue. From all of the marginalised groups I belong I would much rather wish for people to speak up against them on our behalf and recognise the damage it is doing to us. Because it’s not just the obvious haters on the internet, there are systems, laws, people in power who support this actively and indirectly. “Not taking it personally” changes nothing, it puts all the responsibility for our own treatment on us. We should absolutely take it personally and make space for all our own emotions that come up in this, because it is not okay.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this negativity. I don't fully understand poly/enm but that's why I'm here. To learn.
Thank you for writing this and also sorry that you have to deal with this bs just for trying to create educational content that makes the rest of us feel seen. I think you hit the nail on the head with your second point- they're not the people you're trying to reach. Also, you're absolutely right that these are the cowards that would never say it to your face or mine. Sending you love.
Sarah, try not to take it too personally. It's not just you or your work that is being disrespected this way. You can see it in politics around the world. There is a sizeable minority who seem to be consumed by hatred, jealousy and fear. Lashing out at anyone who proposes a new, and therefore liberal, concept is the release valve for the venom accumulating inside of them.
Saying there is only a small group is minimising the damage through stigma and discrimination that is done to many marginalised groups. It doesn’t matter how big or small they are, they are there and they are given space to keep doing what they do. Putting more pressure on us to not take it personally when it is an actual danger to many of us is low key victim blaming and absolutely not helping the issue. From all of the marginalised groups I belong I would much rather wish for people to speak up against them on our behalf and recognise the damage it is doing to us. Because it’s not just the obvious haters on the internet, there are systems, laws, people in power who support this actively and indirectly. “Not taking it personally” changes nothing, it puts all the responsibility for our own treatment on us. We should absolutely take it personally and make space for all our own emotions that come up in this, because it is not okay.