You have more fortitude than I do! I'll never forget the day that we published one of your stories about how Buddhism supports queer people. And then a Buddhist came in and called us all unhealthy because we identify as LGBTQ. He sounded every bit as depraved and disgusting as a Catholic priest or nun.

Then you told me that the more advanced one becomes in Buddhist studies, the more likely they are to be homophobic bigots like that guy. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around why you'd want anything to do with such a heinous belief system.

If Buddhism is indeed a religion that almost necessaruly results in that sort of insulting homophobic bigotry ... I don't even know what to say.

If you get something from it, I guess that's a good thing. But, personally, I won't have anything to do with that sort of extremist homophobia. Also in the aftermath of your story, I looked up the Dalai Lama, who it turns out is very insulting toward gay people. That alone would be an excellent reason to despise Buddhism, if you hadn't already told me that advanced Buddhists are very likely to be homophobic bigots like that guy who broke into our commments section to call us sick.

If you can learn empathy from the teachings of evil bigots like him and the Dalai Lama, I guess that's more power to you.

I just can't do it. I can't associate with people who call me sick. I won't. I refuse to accept stigmatization and marginalization. We queer people deserve to be treated as fully human, as fully moral, as fully healthy, and as fully valuable as anyone else.

Of course, that definitely applies to people of color, and I'm delighted to see you struggling against your initial reaction against the label of white privilege.

Thanks for publishing your thoughtful musings!