“We’re here for you, and you’re here for us. Our love is bigger than hate.” Just fifteen words shared on Twitter to the account of a well-known political figure, accompanied by a photo of my partner, our son Alex, and me on the day we finalized his adoption—the happiest day we could have imagined.
By lunchtime, that tweet had garnered over 5,000 interactions. By mid-afternoon, it had reached more than 90,000 views. But by 4:00 PM, I found myself in a bathroom stall at work, feeling overwhelmed and disheartened. I had thought that our strides in marriage equality meant that hatred would no longer have a place in society. I was sorely mistaken.
Despite the likes and supportive comments, my Twitter feed quickly transformed from celebration to a torrent of anger, hatred, and threats. It was disheartening to witness. I couldn’t keep up with the rapid influx of notifications—just as I reported one abusive message, another twenty would appear. I had become a target for the alt-right.
I want to share some of the responses I received so you can understand the backlash that comes when you express support for someone like Hillary Clinton online, a world where those filled with rage feel empowered to direct their insecurities at others. To help you navigate this sea of negativity, I’ve categorized the responses into groups, presented exactly as they were tweeted, despite my instinct to correct spelling errors.
Anti-Political Tweets
These were the most prevalent, showcasing the incoherence of some respondents:
- “Wow, you realize Hillary is just a massive liar, right? She only cares about your vote!”
- “Are you okay with a president funded by Saudi Arabia? #boughtoff”
- “She never takes responsibility. What planet are you living on?”
Xenophobic Tweets
Even though we’re a fairly typical family, it didn’t stop the anti-immigrant crowd from targeting us:
- “Don’t show that photo to the incoming Muslim immigrants; they won’t approve.”
- “Most of her donations come from countries that execute gays. Hello??”
- “Let’s just bring in Syrian refugees; they’re all LGBT supporters! LOL!”
Benghazi Tweets
Although our picture was taken in New Jersey during a joyful moment, it didn’t stop people from referencing unrelated tragedies:
- “Hillary won’t admit she got four Americans killed. She’s unqualified!”
- “Congrats! Just watch out for Muslims in your neighborhood!”
- “Except for the soldiers she abandoned in Benghazi, right?”
Family Tweets
These were the hardest to read, as they crossed the line of politics into personal attacks:
- “You should feel a rope around your neck, pervert.”
- “This isn’t a family; it’s a social experiment. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
- “Someone call child protective services; that kid is at risk.”
- “How many times have you molested that child? It shows on his face.”
- “You’ll ruin that boy’s life with your disgusting lifestyle.”
- “You degenerates will end up in camps, wearing pink triangles.”
I’m open to civil discussions about political differences. I long for the days when I could have meaningful debates with supporters of other candidates. My friend Lisa, a devoted fan of Senator Sanders, and I had conversations that truly informed my opinions. I welcome thoughtful debates, as they help us grow and evolve.
But this was not a constructive exchange of ideas; it was a display of hate that underscores the absence of leaders who would normally help diffuse such negativity.
This is the reality we face: sharing a family moment can trigger an eruption of bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and racism. Yes, I support Hillary Clinton after careful consideration of her policies and public service, but the issues we face go beyond political loyalties. The victories in marriage equality make it easy to forget that many still harbor deep-seated hate against families like mine.
This moment serves as a call to action to empower ourselves to confront these injustices head-on. There is no sidelines for my family; we live fully each day, knowing that sharing our love invites both acceptance and hostility amplified by the anonymity of the internet.
As I ponder our future, the thought that our family’s wellbeing could hinge on the outcome of an election is daunting. With just weeks to go, the stakes feel incredibly high. Hillary, we’re rooting for you, but days like today weigh heavily on our hearts. Please—fight for families like ours.
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Summary: In sharing a personal moment, the author faced an overwhelming wave of negative responses that highlighted the ongoing challenges of bigotry and hatred in society. Despite the progress made, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in advocating for love and acceptance for all families.