Original artwork by me. Just been realizing how often one or all parts of me are constantly shamed by society and I'm tired of it. From being autistic, to being genderqueer, to being a Humanist.
Read the blog post that accompanies it here:
I applaud your acceptance of "yourself".
I've never understood the "I'm proud to be _____"
parts of these things.
@JackieVenus
Good answer Jackie. Thanks for your response. I see your list as kind of "mixed". The last three, (Humanist, Intelligent, Emotional) I'd consider to be things to possibly take pride in. The first two (Autistic & Disabled) would seem to be things to overcome. Genderqueer is apparently a sexual orientation term. I'll admit to not knowing the definition of that. I'm unclear as to why anyone would take pride in their sexual orientation. It is what it is. Anyway. We should all be comfortable in our own skins. I'm glad you are.
@JackieVenus
Autistic Spectrum is a disorder. Being disabled means suffering a mental or physical disability.
So, I see nothing wrong with telling someone that I admire the fact that they have overcome something in their life.
@JackieVenus my son, 43 is autistic and yes it is disabling and shuts doors to equal opportunities. Because of ignorance, my son has been bullied since he started kindergarten, he suffers from depression and angers issues. He can't hold a job because of ignorance tho he is a loyal and hard worker. Which has kept him at the poverty level.
@JackieVenus exactly right!!! One can never escape from austism. That's a fact. Disabilities? More have no cures only treatments. Like nerve damage, it's pretty much permanent.
@JackieVenus, @bigpawbullets I take pride in being an out lesbian despite overt discrimination, hate and sometimes violence against me and LGBTQ community.
I am proud that I succeeded and prospered despite all the negative and hateful people in the world.
I've been fired for being gay, ridiculed, stalked and harassed for being gay. And still I thrive.
@JackieVenus
I agree Jackie. We view things differently. Have a good life!
@JackieVenus thank you very very much!!!
You are what you are. People that like you for that, great!!! The ones that don't for the same reason, their tough luck.
Be who you are and be proud of it! I was diagnosed with MS 24 yrs. ago and in that time I've had a couple of people ask me if I ever tried to blame Dog or any other supernatural cause for my life.
My answer has never changed: 'You know what? I/we are some of the most unimaginably lucky creatures that ever existed (all of us). When we consider the odds that our parents got together to have us and their parents and so on through the depths of time, it's unimaginably improbable that we're even here to ask these questions. When I look at the range of possible outcomes, I have to say I/we didn't fall awfully far from the top. I/we don't have room to complain about what abouts. From here on, I say every moment is a new starting point - let's go forward from here.'
Update Addition: I'm a little jealous. I can't draw to save my life. Good job.