Respectful Disbelief

Identity's is not a touchy topic. Race, religion, and money are touchy topics; on the Internet engaging identity issues is like the kid from "Christmas Story" sticking his tongue to a frozen electrified subway rail. It's an invitation to a Chernobyl-style meltdown on one's blog, Tumblr, or LJ.

So it's rare that a bit of subtle, reasoned response creeps in. Recently an individual (is that the wrong term, in case the person is a fictive-identified collective?) was discussing feelings of being a man-made structure. In the one-on-one discussion, this structure noted an appreciation for the other person's "respectful disbelief".

That term really struck a chord. I've been happy to laugh otherkin, fictives, demisexuals, objectum sexuals, and Randian Objectivists in the past, but I this one phrase stuck with me enough to consider all that. Okay, all except objectivists. They're awful people. Fuck Ayn Rand.

Even if we're devout Christians who don't believe homosexuality is anything beyond proof of Satan's touch, or Dan Savage who feels the same way about bisexuals, we can at least approach identity with basic respect for our fellow humans (and non-humans).

So that's my holiday wish. This season, and in the ones to follow, please, when confronted with an identity that you doubt, dislike, or question, at least be respectful. But seriously, fuck Ayn Rand.