Bridging the Divide: What I Believe About Love, Rights, and Kindness

 

Let’s bridge the gap

I get so scared of sharing my beliefs and showing who I am and who I support and what I support because I’m in the middle: I am a God-believing woman that supports gay rights and trans rights and I don’t believe in condemnation and violence—whether it’s verbal or physical. People have been voted off my island for less. 😉 

It is my intention to love all, not just some.

What I Believe

I’ve been reflecting a lot on where I stand on certain issues, and I want to share my thoughts—not to argue or convince anyone, but to be open about who I am and what I believe.

I believe in human rights—across the board. Gay rights, trans rights, women’s rights—they’re all just human rights. Every person, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexuality, age, or body type, deserves to live a life of freedom, safety, and dignity.

Every year, I take my daughter to the Pride Parade in Athens, and we cheer right along with the people walking by, celebrating all of our right to live openly and proudly. It’s such a beautiful thing to witness how far we’ve come as a society—where people can walk through the streets and declare, “We are here, and we are free and we don’t have to die for it.”

But let’s not forget that it wasn’t too long ago when gay people were being harmed, excluded, or stripped of their rights simply because of who they are or who they love. That history isn’t far behind us, and it’s a reminder of why we need to keep standing up for each other’s right to exist and thrive.

I don’t believe God called us to judge, condemn, or hurt others for who they are. Whether someone is gay, trans, or however they identify, I believe we’re meant to love each other and treat one another with kindness. I don’t even understand how there’s any question about it. 

Do I think misgendering someone should be a hate crime? No. This is new to many people, and mistakes will happen. People shouldn’t be punished for not knowing or understanding.

I believe in a world where there’s room for everyone to live healthy, happy, and free—as long as they’re not harming others.

I don’t believe in big government or the control they have over our lives. They literally control everything, every aspect of our day-to-day. And it’s too much.

One issue I’m particularly passionate about—especially as a broke, new, first-time homeowner—is how we’re taxed endlessly. On income, on purchases, on property—it feels like there’s no end. Even after we’ve “paid off” our homes, we’re forever taxed on the land it sits on.

It doesn’t feel right that we can work our entire lives, pouring everything we have into building a life, only to realize we never truly own it. And then, if you’re one of the lucky ones who lives long enough to pay it all off, there’s still the looming threat of eminent domain. They can come in and take it all right out from under you. It’s not right, and it’s not fair.

And I still believe in the family unit. I know some people want to dismantle it, and I don’t fully understand why (Again, I invite opposing views to be told and explained in the comments). For me, family is foundational—it’s where love, connection, and values start. And I absolutely love that all families can look different. 

These are just a few of the things on my mind lately. I know there are plenty of other issues worth talking about, and I’d love to hear your thoughts too. For me, it all comes back to this: I believe in kindness, fairness, and a world that makes space for everyone.

Let’s talk, let’s listen, and let’s figure out how we can make that kind of world a reality. It definitely starts by putting an end to finger-pointing, shaming, and name-calling—I do know that much.