Visiting relatives (or having them visit) for the holidays? Worried about what will happen when conversation over the roast goose (or latkes) turns political, and you find yourself trying to explain to Aunt Mabel why you and your beloved want an actual, legal, marriage? Or why military readiness hasn’t suffered from the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?
The Movement Advancement Project and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) have published a series of guides “to help shape discussions with conflicted or undecided Americans.” The “Overall Approaches” guide is the best place to start, but there are also guides dealing with specific topics and aimed at specific cultural groups.
MAP and GLAAD explain, “It can often be easy to fall back on abstract jargon or angry rhetoric that can derail discussions with those who are not familiar with the issues.” Instead, the guides show ways to find common ground “and to help them understand issues of LGBT equality through the lenses of their own values and beliefs.”
Amen and pass the potatoes.
Thank you for highlighting this helpful guide, Dana. I hope you and your family have a happy holiday!
Thanks, Elisa! You, too!