Are they really close minded?

We always say that it is okay to have an opinion, but when it turns out that their opinion is the opposite from ours, we forget that it's okay to disagree.

Sometimes, we may not be able to control our emotions and argue against them. Sometimes we can control it and do our best to understand, but still feel like they do not understand what we are saying, that they are close minded, judgmental and sitting on their high horse.

By all means, I do not mean to generalize, I am aware that there are also people that genuinely understand another person's point of view and still think and believe the opposite. And really, it also depends on the topic.

For all intents and purposes, I must first confirm that I know and are friends with a lot of people who are members of the LGBT community. I have a lot of respect for them and I see them for the people that they are, not their sexuality. To me, it is just another part of them that we may or may not talk about sometimes. A part of them that has no specific mark to distinguish them as different from others.

I have argued with those who have been insulting towards them and I'm not afraid of whatever others think of me by defending them. It truly is, the person that counts.

In saying that, I do my best to show what I believe in and still show respect for others regardless of whether they do the same to me. But what I have noticed is now, people are actually being judged for disagreeing with people who are allies and members of the community. They are being called, close-minded, religious nuts, ignorant and a few others.

It may be because of how they deliver their disagreement, but really not a lot of things sounds good if someone is going against your truth.

I guess my unpopular opinion is: it's okay not to be supportive of the community. It's okay for people to have an opinion and believe what they want to believe because of their own life, experiences, religion, or whatever it is that drives them to their belief.

Just like one's sexuality does not make a person's entire humanity, one opinion also does not define and clarify another person's whole being.

Disagreeing does not always mean disrespecting. I have spoken to people with different types of religious beliefs and to those who have no religious beliefs at all. We have managed to listen to each other, disagree and honestly, put our differences aside and have fun instead. This doesn't mean that you avoid the topic in general, but stand your own and allow others to do the same.

I avoid saying this, because I worry that despite all of the times that I have defended and stood by the community, this one particular opinion will make it seem like I am "just as close minded" as them.

We are not helping them understand by arguing, by doing the same thing that they are doing and also jumping into conclusions about who and what kind of people they are. Respect cannot be earned if it's not being given.

I think that if we really want others to understand, someone has to give in and listen, as well as really try to understand.

"Why does it have to be me?" If we always ask this question, let's all expect exactly this slow progress of unity, instead of thinking that it's taking too long.

It's okay to be a part of the community, it's okay to be an ally and it's also okay to not be a part of this community at all as long as respect still exist.

I know that a lot of people who are not supportive of the community are very rude and disrespectful about it, however, fighting fire with fire is not the solution.

Personally, when I have this disagreement with someone else and they are just set on their thinking that it is wrong and not listening to me at all. I choose to just end it with "agree to disagree" or just leave it alone instead of proving them right even more and giving them the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of me and/or ruining my day.

Insulting them will push them further to defend their point of view and ensuring that they are correct.

So here it is, my unpopular opinion is that it's okay for people not to be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.