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utilitymonstergirlAll three times I've gone to Midwest Furfest, there's been a guy standing on the corner outside the venue. He's got tactical gear and a bunch of far-right flags and insignia (but no weapons that I've seen), trying to goad passers-by into starting shit. A few people heckle or argue, but by and large they roll their eyes and get on with the convention.
For at least three years, probably more, this man has made the decision to stand outside all day in Chicago winter just a stone's throw from over ten thousand people having a great time being cringey gay dorks. At any time, he could set down the flags, buy admission, and enjoy the con in good faith. Instead, he chooses over and over to lose the game on turn one.
I admit, I didn't have much exposure to Mr. Kirk's opinions, but I don't think I missed much. Baffling closet cases like Orson Scott Card aside, bigotry just isn't psychologically interesting. But what gets me is the consistency of it, how he made it his job for thirteen years to wake up every day, know the better, and choose the worse.
I have no reason to believe he would have ever changed that, but now that possibility is gone forever. I will grieve that there wasn't more to grieve.
For at least three years, probably more, this man has made the decision to stand outside all day in Chicago winter just a stone's throw from over ten thousand people having a great time being cringey gay dorks. At any time, he could set down the flags, buy admission, and enjoy the con in good faith. Instead, he chooses over and over to lose the game on turn one.
I admit, I didn't have much exposure to Mr. Kirk's opinions, but I don't think I missed much. Baffling closet cases like Orson Scott Card aside, bigotry just isn't psychologically interesting. But what gets me is the consistency of it, how he made it his job for thirteen years to wake up every day, know the better, and choose the worse.
I have no reason to believe he would have ever changed that, but now that possibility is gone forever. I will grieve that there wasn't more to grieve.
