[nfb-talk] NFB Pride Text

Sat Jul 1 10:53:58 CDT 2006

I think what folks are concerned about is this.
If the matters stick to just blindness issues and not issues the gays are 
going threw because of being gay.
That is what folks don't want to happen.
And that is what I would stand for.
As far as blindness issues then there shouldn't be a problem.
If a blind person who is gay doesn't get a job, it doesn't mean it is 
because they are gay.
Unless they flaunt being as such.
So we would help them because of blindness.
Hope this helps.

--Dar
Every Saint has a future,
Every Sinner has a past

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth Campbell" <batescampbell at charter.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 7:02 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Pride Text

> Hello everyone,
>
> Personally, I don't care whether there is a division  to focus on issues
> relating to the gay community or not.
> I think what we have here is the NFB reflecting the wider scope of what is
> going on in our country right now.
>
> There are already many special interest groups among the sighted, if you
> will. For instance, in the journalism profession, there are groups for
> Hispanics, native Americans, blacks and Asian Americans.
> So I think that if the goal of forming a group is to discuss issues as 
> they
> pertain to blind people and the challenges we deal with, then I see no 
> harm
> done.
>
> Let's take the division that deals with faith and religious issues; I'm
> sorry I cant' remember the exact name right now. I was under the mpression
> that the group was formed with the idea that blind people wanted to focus 
> on
> strategies for participating more fully in religious institutions, whether
> we are talking about churches, synagogues or mosques.
> It is my understanding that blind people felt like they were not fully
> accepted in to their particular churches, etc. Please correct me if I am
> wrong about this.
>
> I don't have aninterest in  that division, but others do, and that is 
> their
> right.
>
> In my case, I'm more attuned to the journalism and technology-related
> groups.
>
> Anyhow, I wanted to put in my two cents worth.
>
> take care all and see you at convention.
>
> Liz Campbell
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <powerst at dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 7:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Pride Text
>
>
>> Mike;
>> Most of the groups, such as lawyers are related to the work force or
>> training.
>> I would also like a group for epeleptics or multi handicapped.  No
>> affence, but I sure think this would be more affective.  coping with
>> blindness and 2 other handicaps, like me, is not easy.  Many out there
>> could use some support.  From NFB talk, I found out that there were 
>> others
>> with blindness and epolepsi.  For the longest time, I thought I was the
>> only one out there, in this big world.  I also have a mild hearing loss
>> and some medical problems from car accidents.
>> Look at the lady in charge of Guide dogs.  She is blind and gets around 
>> in
>> a wheel chair.  I have used one before, but I had some sight.  Shairing
>> how we cope with problems like I have mentioned, I think is a lot more
>> benificial to the NFB.
>>
>> Terry Powers
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Michael Bullis [mailto:mabullis at hotmail.com]
>> Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 4:58 PM
>> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Pride Text
>>
>>
>> Very very interesting discussion.  I suspect though that in the same 
>> sense
>> that our society isn't broadly ready to accept same-sex marriage, nfb 
>> well
>> may not be able to see this issue as one it ought to embrace.  That's not
>> a
>> justification, but more of an explaination.  And I don't think my use of
>> the
>> word embrace is Freudian?  No, really!!
>>
>> Thinking about it another way, we've allowed blind lawyers to form a
>> division so why not gays?  I mean, is there any more villified and
>> dishonored group than lawyers?  They're regarded right down there with
>> politicians, news personalities and well, you know, all those less
>> reputable
>> scum in society.  Laugh.
>>
>> I am sure there are real issues confronted by homosexuals who are blind
>> that are unique to their status as blind people.  I mean, referring back
>> to
>> the blind lawyers.  Blind lawyers have lots of signifficant issues 
>> related
>> to lawyering and blindness that naturally fit into the concerns of the
>> NFB.
>> Far be it from me to decide that gay people don't or to stand in their 
>> way
>> if they wish to organize.  I've always favored enlarging the tent in most
>> every organization I've been in and this is no exception.
>>
>> I'm not sure how this is going to be taken because it's hard to tell 
>> jokes
>> regarding these sensitive issues in person, let alone through email but
>> please be assurede I mean nobody any disrespect.  Some of my best 
>> friends,
>> ok, well, acquaintances, alright, people I have met, are lawyers.
>> Mike Bullis
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Craig Eckhardt
>> Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 3:49 PM
>> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] NFB Pride Text
>>
>> Appearantly my document didn't show up in the message (the digest version
>> anyway), so I'll just paste it here...enjoy!
>> Blind and Gay in America: A Perspective by Craig Eckhardt The National
>> Federation of the Blind teaches the philosophy that blindness, when given
>> the proper education and opportunity, can be reduced from a catastrophic
>> life-ending tragedy to a mere inconvenience or, as some state, a
>> characteristic.  What makes this philosophy difficult to fully grasp for
>> some is the fact that blindness is usually not the only "characteristic"
>> needing to be dealt with.
>> Compounded with the stigmas associated with other "minority" factors, one
>> can understand why many blind people might shrug off the NFB ideology 
>> "for
>> other blind people"; mainly, the affluent, white, Christian, and
>> heterosexual male blind population.
>> The need for kinship and integration into society is a part of human
>> nature.  I, being someone with a "disability" in addition to being gay,
>> had
>> a disadvantage in "fitting in" while growing up in a military family.  At
>> times I often wondered how much more difficult adjusting would be if I 
>> was
>> also a different race (I'm
>> white) or religion (my family's Episcopal) or poor (I grew up middle
>> class)
>> or a woman.  The greatest advantage I have in coping is the fact that I
>> live
>> in the 21st Century where, thanks to many bold pioneers, support
>> structures
>> have been developed and the integration of all lifestyles as equals in
>> modern society is well on its way.
>> The quest for equality never stops and, despite the amazing efforts
>> from the past, work will always need to be done to ensure the enlightened
>> knowledge and attitudes passes from generation to generation. 
>> Personally,
>> I
>> was able to learn positive perspectives on my blindness from the
>> Federation
>> as well as on homosexuality from various community groups.  While I am
>> grateful that these resources are available, I often think how nice it
>> would
>> be to find a support system that could address both issues.  I've often
>> discussed the idea of creating such a division within the Federation, and
>> have received mainly negative criticisms.  The argument people have
>> against
>> forming a "PRIDE" division in the NFB is that sexuality is irrelevant in
>> regards to the Federation's goals and distracts from its mission of
>> improving the lives of the blind.  In addition, many believe there isn't 
>> a
>> substantial amount of support to warrant the creation of such a division.
>> My belief is that the seeming lack of support derives from the negative
>> philosophy which demeans the significance of sexuality in terms of human
>> relationships.
>> The main problem in discussing sexuality is that many don't
>> recognize the importance it has in our lives.  Homophobic people degrade
>> homosexuality to a mere act of sex and perversion that is "unnatural" to
>> the
>> purpose of sex as a means for procreation.  I contest that in most cases,
>> the act of sex is not so much a tool for pregnancy as it is an expression
>> of
>> love and intimacy.  As mentioned before, humans long for kinship and 
>> their
>> sexuality, in addition to their religious beliefs or their cultural 
>> values
>> or other factors, is equally important in being used to alleviate that
>> longing.  Furthermore, I believe that as blind people, feeling 
>> comfortable
>> with our sexuality is necessary in combating the stigma which states that
>> people with disabilities aren't capable or interested (or the polar
>> opposite
>> of being too interested) in sexual issues.  This attitude can be noticed
>> in
>> society today; for instance, by observing the lack of consideration in
>> adapting sex education materials for disabled students.  The lost
>> opportunity for a formal education on sexuality often leaves the blind
>> student ignorant of the facts, thus asserting the previously mentioned
>> stereotype.
>> To state that incorporating a support group for gay, lesbian (as
>> well as a myriad of other sects of the "gay community") within the
>> Federation is irrelevant to the blind cause is an ignorant and homophobic
>> argument which denies the recognition that sexuality has in developing
>> meaningful, loving relationships between two consenting adults.  I
>> understand that as a consumer organization, other issues such as
>> establishing economic security and job opportunities should take
>> precedence;
>> but at the same time, social issues like this should not be ignored any
>> longer.
>> In closing, I believe that the philosophy of the Federation can be
>> accessible to all people (blind or sighted) in all life situations by
>> rewording the credo as such: With proper education and opportunities, all
>> situations in life can be reduced from catastrophic, life-ending 
>> tragedies
>> to mere inconveniences or characteristics.
>> Specific to sexuality: With proper education, all people can understand
>> the
>> significance of sexuality in there lives as one of many factors that
>> contribute to developing loving, intimate relationships (regardless of
>> gender) which ultimately help to improve the quality of life.
>> I urge the leadership of the Federation to help improve the lives of the
>> blind by recognizing this truth about sexuality and implementing its
>> knowledge with the positive philosophy which has made the National
>> Federation of the Blind "The Voice" of blind people throughout the world.
>>
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