You see it all the time in every manner of society - in order for one group to be totally free, another has to be enslaved. Now, let's not go with the literal meaning of "enslaved", I'm not talking about the total loss of control when it comes to decision making. I'm talking about the loss of certain classes of freedom.

For people who are incredibly kink-minded and like to pull out the hardcore fetishes, they are relegated to forums like Fet Life and clubs that are set in the middle of nowhere. They aren't free to walk the streets in their gear and not have people stare at them or shield their children's eyes as they pass.

The LGBT community is not free to marry without jumping through enormous sets of hoops set ablaze. This is the doing of people who think they know what's good for the human species - they can't even balance a budget, yet they're in charge of major issues like this? Something is totally wrong with this picture.

Even here on the forums, most of us would say that we don't talk about what we do here, what toys we have, and which ones we're lusting after with our friends and family. Not that we're ashamed, we just don't want to deal with the judgment of it all.

It just seems like if we were all able to be open about our opinions and desires that we could enlighten ourselves to a level just short of Utopia.
Where everyone is respected and opinions can be stated without starting civil wars, riots, beat-downs, and fucked up legislation.

Yeah, I'm a dreamer. It just makes so much more sense to me. If the Muslims think they're right and the Christians think they're right and the Jews think they're right, then let them all think they're right. Is it really hurting anyone? (Aside from the whole Israel/Palestine thing.)

If you're against abortions - don't have one. If you're against gay marriage - don't marry someone of the same sex. But, how on earth does anyone have the right to tell people that they can't have an abortion or they can't marry someone they love? Be against it all you want, but don't impose your beliefs on a life that doesn't personally affect yours.

I don't have any quick fixes or really any idea on how to make things better for anyone in this world, but I am on the lookout for solutions. I just hope that the generation that rises into politics ten years from now is drastically different than the ones we have now. Maybe then things will change. Though, studies have found that people naturally become more conservative with age.

"If you're against abortions - don't have one. If you're against gay marriage - don't marry someone of the same sex. But, how on earth does anyone have the right to tell people that they can't have an abortion or they can't marry someone they love? Be against it all you want, but don't impose your beliefs on a life that doesn't personally affect yours.

I totally agree. Your beliefs are just that...YOUR beliefs! They are not everyone's beliefs and they have no place in making rules/laws that everyone has to live by.

Equality is something that everyone should have regardless of how I view it or anyone else. As long as no one is taken advantage of or harmed in the process, it's NO ONES business. We all deserve to be happy.

I guess I am a dreamer too.

As I explained in the comments, I find the article is counterproductive because it asks the wrong question. It tries to improve on something which in it of itself is part of the problem. I don't care about changing peoples minds I care about changing peoples actions and behaviors. I don't care about what people think I care I care what people do.

Read the article and the comments there is much talk about beliefs, ideas and facts ,much talk about thought, but none of behaviors. This isn't semantics, the difference between changing ideas and changing behaviors is the practical difference between theory and reality. I'm far more worried about the implication of Roland's disccusion of activism not mentioning a single behavior change then with the implications Roland being called misogynist six months ago (I'm of also the opinion that if six mouth ago is "recent" to you, you might want to work on letting things go.)

But actions and behaviors have to begin somewhere. Actions simply do not happen, behaviors are not formed from a blank ethos.

Actions and behaviors are responses. Responses to what, you might ask? Ideas and beliefs. People form ideas and beliefs and respond to them with actions and behaviors.

Laws and rules can affect or control negative behaviors and actions with the threat of consequence. But people can't find a balance in themselves or with each other if their actions and behaviors aren't not able or allowed to be in sync with their ideas or beliefs. We have a few excellent examples of the results of such negative duality in just about any history book you pick up.

If you want to have an effect on the way people behave, you have to start with how they think. Forcing change for change's sake without allowing people the ability to follow through their actions with reason, logic, or confidence in their beliefs is simply putting a band-aid on a broken bone. The patient feels resentment because the doctor tells them the problem is fixed on the outside, but they still have to deal with the problem on the inside.

Humans are thinking creatures. We are at peace when our hearts, minds, and hands move in one direction. I agree that people's actions and behaviors must change in a more positive and open-minded direction. But true change happens slowly.

If we can affect how people of this generation think, and guide them towards being open and generous with ideas, then they will behave appropriately in response. And then here is where real change happens: they pass on those beliefs, ideas, and behaviors to their children. And then, the cycle continues.

We can make it happen. We can cultivate positive ideas and beliefs, and we can say that it is important enough that we will share those things with our future generations, and thus, make a change.

There are two ways to change culture.

1. Reach the moderates and sway them to your side. The best way to do that is to remove yourself from the radical sides and deal with them one on one so they can see your humanity. For instance, I had two friends who were very homophobic. I am bisexual, but I don't wear it loudly. I am a person first and who I choose to bed is just a small part of that bigger whole. They got to know me before learning of my partner preferences. Slowly over time, we engaged in discussion about it. Eventually, the woman admitted to openly being ok and having bisexual tendencies herself and the man was roommates with me and didn't bat an eyelash when I had a partner of the same sex.

2. Educate the next generation. I'm not saying to take children on field trips to dungeons and orgies to observe, but you can teach sex positivity to the younger generation. I do not have children, but I do plan to, and I want them to grow up in an environment that is accepting in all ways and that the bs our culture places on bodies and sex is silly.