In a recent Reddit post, a user described a recent situation in which he shut down discussion of LGBT people. Internet users are incensed. Was this an innocent faux pas, or was this guy homophobic as hell? Read on and decide for yourself!
A Camp for Kids
The camp, which has a diverse group of kids aged 13-15, had a clear policy prohibiting discussions of personal details, religion, relationships, and other sensitive topics.
His Coworker Was Part of the LGBTQ Community
The story began when Bill’s coworker, who identified as part of the LGBTQ community, began talking to the kids about different LGBTQ flags and designs, sparking a dilemma for Bill.
He Wanted to Enforce the Rules
At the end of the day, Bill decided to address the issue with his coworker.
He expressed his concern that discussing politically charged subjects like LGBTQ topics with the young campers might not be appropriate given the camp’s guidelines.
This Was Against Camp Policies
Bill emphasized that they needed to adhere to camp policies for the safety of both the campers and themselves.
This May Cause Problems
He feared that such discussions might lead to uncomfortable situations with parents who may not be ready to broach these topics with their children at such a young age.
His Coworker Questioned Him
In response, the coworker challenged Bill, questioning why something like this should be considered inappropriate for the campers.
It Shouldn’t Be Politicized
The coworker expressed frustration that their mere existence as an LGBTQ individual was often viewed as political, and Bill acknowledged that this was indeed an unfortunate reality.
They Were Bound by the Rules
But Bill he emphasized that, as camp counselors, they were bound by the camp’s rules and had a duty to create a safe and inclusive environment for all campers.
This Was to Create a Positive Experience
Despite the coworker’s frustration, Bill stood by his belief that maintaining camp-appropriate topics was essential for upholding the camp’s values and ensuring a positive experience for all attendees.
He Didn’t Mean to Silence Him
He did not intend to censor or silence his coworker, but rather sought to strike a balance between respect for individual identities and adherence to the camp’s guidelines.
Disheartened Coworker
But his coworker left looking pretty upset and defeated.
He Felt Bad About What Happened
Now, as Bill reflected on the situation, he wondered if he had handled it correctly.
Deliberating Issue Discussion With Manager
He considered the possibility of discussing the issue with their manager instead of addressing it directly with the coworker.
His Coworker Might Have Taken This the Wrong Way
He worried that his coworker might have perceived his intervention as an attempt to suppress their expression of identity.
Was He in the Wrong?
As a result, he took to Reddit to ask whether he was in the wrong in the situation and several Redditors said that he was wrong.
He Shouldn’t Be Silencing LGBT People
One Reddit user wrote, “YTA. Are you a boss? Do you make a policy? Or are you just reinforcing a generalized fear that leads to silence?”
Another Redditor commented, “YTA, they were talking about flags. You sound super homophobic.”
Addressing Transphobic Concerns
Responding to his claim that he was just accommodating a transphobic child’s needs, a third Redditor had this to say: “So you’d accommodate a racist kid? A misogynistic kid? Does the “no personal life” order extend to forbidding kids (or employees) to mention their moms, dad’s, uncles and aunts? Are only same-sex partners off-limits?”
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The post “Not Homophobic” – He Put an End to LGBTQ Talk at Kids Camp, Says He’s Adhering to Camp Policies for the Safety of the Campers first appeared on Mama Say What?!
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Source: Reddit
