Bad Memories and Burned Friendships

With recent headlines and the ensuing Social Media typhoon, I have had a lot of old memories bubble to the surface.  I have also cut a lot of friends and acquaintances out of my life.

One of the friends I just let go was really painful.  I'll second-guess my decision (and already have) but I feel like I've made the right decision.

Firstly, if Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner was a Duggar, The Blaze (and God) would have already forgiven her, right?  Or is that only with pedophilia?

Secondly, I had a trans friend in college who committed suicide because of the same vitriol I'm seeing from people this week.  Karly used to be Keith, and was shunned by her family, lost her job, and was essentially blackballed from her town and social circle.  After months of depression, she killed herself in June, 2000.

This is the result of hatred.  The result of using words like 'vile' or 'disgusting,' the same words people are using to describe Jenner.

It bothers me that "the closet" is getting bigger and bigger.  I have friends who are atheist and are afraid to admit it.  One who did was fired from their job, sued for discrimination and lost.  (Turns out Twin Falls, ID is just as LDS-dense as Idaho Falls...)  People can be singled-out and isolated because of their gender, sexuality, religious or political beliefs.  And, while we speak out against bullying in our schools, the same people go on facebook or twitter and bully the people who are the most insecure and need the most support.

So this is why I'm 30 friends, 2 groups and a few dozen pages lighter on Facebook.  This is why I stopped a 7+ year friendship dead in its tracks and walked away.  When you say something hateful or hurtful, or share a meme or link that can belittle or damage a person, it becomes ripples in a pond.

By saying nothing, by doing nothing, I would have let the ripples continue.  I *have* to say goodbye to Aly, to Mark, to Susan, to Chris... because of Karly.  And because of Caitlyn.  And because of the next person, the next fight, the next suicide.

I'm sorry.  But I'm really not.

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