I personally try not to get into political discussions or debates, no one wins, and people just get mad. However, I recently came across a Facebook post on my wall, by a friend.

This is the image she posted…

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Personally, I found this incredibly offensive and infuriating.

I would put this type of image along the same lines as that image posted by El Furniture Warehouse posted about a month or so back on Instagram. The difference there, is they are more public and have more of a responsibility being in the public eye, and have been pushed into having all their staff undergo sensitivity training and make public apologies. What about individuals that don’t get forced into these workshops, or receive backlash from the communities and risk losing business? How can individuals be held accountable for their posts?

Regardless of how one feels about the Jenner/Kardashian clan, this is not just an attack on them, but rather, what I consider to be transphobic, inhumane and absolutely not funny. Granted, we know that this family is attention-whores, but does that make Caitlyn Jenner’s struggle, courage and transformation any less of a brave and bold move than any other trans individual living and breathing today?

If anything, Caitlyn probably shows a lot more guts by becoming who she is in the midst of all these attacks and stories, and the whirlwind of fame and media surrounding her. The fact that online personalities and shows are still calling her “Bruce” is disgusting.

I am not trans, and I do not pretend to know the struggles that one faces in moving forward to become who they are on the outside as they are on the inside, but I do know my own struggles in coming to terms with being gay, and quite frankly I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.

We are so bombarded with the need for online recognition in today’s world because of social media, that I don’t think we truly think things through when we post meme’s and like things on our social feeds. The accumulation of likes and shares to increase our popularity seems to outweigh the thought that we may be hurting someone’s feelings. We may be breaking them down. We may be humiliating them in the public eye, ruining a career, or worse yet, being the last straw before someone takes their own life.

I guess, the simple fact of the matter I’m trying to make here, is think before you post.

About the Author

Brandon Michael Lee is a Toronto based Award Winning Event Designer, Writer and Filmmaker. He spends his days surrounded by his two dogs, cupcakes and coffee and one day dreams of having a big fat gay wedding. While on the outside, he is a fabulous and stylish gay man… on the inside he is a tool belt wearing, shelf building, Tori Amos listening lesbian. Oh and he loves beards and tattoos. http://www.brandonmichaellee.com http://www.style-me-manly.com