In a world where love should reign supreme, sharing our joy can sometimes lead to unexpected backlash. “We stand together, and you stand with us. Our love is stronger than hate,” I tweeted early one morning, accompanied by a cherished photo of my partner and our son on the day we finalized his adoption. It was, without a doubt, the happiest moment of our lives.
Little did I know that by midday, my simple message would garner over 5,000 interactions and reach upwards of 90,000 views. But as the notifications flooded in, I found myself in an unexpected state of distress, trapped in a restroom stall at work, grappling with the realization that the strides we’ve made in marriage equality hadn’t eradicated the deep-seated hatred that still exists. I was naive to think otherwise.
Despite the outpouring of support, my Twitter feed quickly transformed into a cesspool of vitriol, filled with threats and unfounded accusations aimed at me and my family. This was not merely a political discussion; it was a direct assault fueled by the alt-right.
Responses to My Tweet
To illustrate the grim reality of voicing support for a political figure like Hillary Clinton, I’ve categorized the responses I received into various themes. Although I had the urge to correct spelling and grammar, I’ve left them as they were shared.
Anti-Clinton Comments
These tweets were rampant, often lacking any coherence.
- “Seriously, you know Hillary is the biggest liar and hypocrite, right? She just wants your vote.”
- “Happy to have another Saudi-funded president? #boughtoff”
- “All she does is blame others for her mistakes. Are you living on another planet?”
Xenophobic Remarks
Our seemingly ordinary family photo drew the ire of those with anti-immigrant sentiments.
- “Don’t show that photo to the incoming waves of Muslim immigrants; they don’t approve of that!”
- “Most donations come from countries where they publicly execute LGBTQ individuals. Do you realize that?”
- “Gotta import those Syrian refugees! Hellary will get it done! Syrian Refugees are great LGBT allies! LOL!”
Benghazi References
Despite our picture being taken on a joyful occasion, Benghazi was inexplicably dragged into the conversation.
- “Hillary won’t admit she got four Americans killed and leaked top secret info. Unqualified.”
- “Be sure to run if you see Muslims in your social spaces. For your safety!”
- “Except for the soldiers she killed at Benghazi, right?”
Attacks on Family
These were deeply personal and heartbreaking, transcending political discourse.
- “The only thing you should feel is a noose around your neck, pederast.”
- “This isn’t a family; it’s a social experiment. Enjoy it while it lasts. #FourthReich coming!”
- “Someone call child protective services; that kid’s in danger.”
- “Disgusting. Odds are those degenerates will harm him. Lifetime of therapy guaranteed.”
- “You sodomites make me sick; you’ll all be put in camps and forced to wear a pink triangle!”
While I welcome civil discourse on political disagreements, the barrage of hatred that followed my tweet was anything but that. I fondly recall days when I could engage in meaningful debates with supporters of other candidates, like my friend Alex, who passionately backed Senator Sanders. Our discussions were enriching, broadening my perspective on various issues.
However, what transpired online was not a coming together of ideas or a healthy exchange of policy proposals. It’s a disheartening reminder of how far we’ve strayed from meaningful dialogue. This is the world we inhabit, where sharing a simple family moment can unleash a torrent of bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia.
My family stands firmly with Hillary Clinton, having thoughtfully considered her policies and the legacy of her public service, despite the smear campaigns aimed at her. Yet, this is larger than politics. We are at a critical juncture; while the victories of marriage equality may lead us to believe that all is well, the reality is far from it. We must remember those who still harbor hate and use moments like these to empower ourselves to effect change.
There are no sidelines for our family. Every day, we navigate a world where sharing our love can invite hostility magnified by the anonymity of the internet. We are simply two dads raising a little boy, doing our best to shield him from the harsh realities of our society.
As we approach a pivotal election, the weight of our future feels overwhelmingly heavy. The thought that our family’s well-being could hinge on voter turnout is daunting. Days like this challenge the heart.
So, Hillary, know that our love for you remains unwavering. But on days like today, it’s a struggle to keep the faith. Fight for us.
For more insights, you can check out this related blog post about family and community support here. If you’re looking for quality at-home insemination kits, I recommend visiting Make a Mom. For further information on pregnancy and home insemination, the CDC has a great resource here.
In summary, love should triumph over hate, and we must remain vigilant in the face of adversity. Together, we can create a world where acceptance prevails.
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