Steven Petrow Quotes

• Too many people think that "good manners" are about subjugating yourself to others. Not true. Respect, and just as important, self-respect are two key elements in this equation.

  Steven Petrow

  Thinking, Keys, Self

  "Civilities: Steven Petrow answers all your LGBT and straight social dilemmas for the hour". Live Chat, live.washingtonpost.com. September 13, 2016.

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• There's nothing you can say that won't make you seem ungrateful or rude.

  Steven Petrow

  Ungrateful, Rude, Seems

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Acceptance comes through understanding.

  Steven Petrow

  Acceptance, Understanding

  "Civilities: Steven Petrow answers all your LGBT and straight social dilemmas for the hour". Live Chat, live.washingtonpost.com. September 13, 2016.

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• A big question that we have is that we do not understand why the comfort of the few should override the comfort of the many.

  Steven Petrow

  Comfort

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• I keep reading that Donald Trump is the most pro-LGBT GOP presidential nominee of all time - and I actually think that's true.

  Steven Petrow

  Reading, Thinking, Presidential

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Rely on facts, figures, principles of equality and fairness.

  Steven Petrow

  Principles, Facts, Fairness

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• The murkiness of Donald Trump's position is really what distinguishes him from other Republican nominees and contenders who have been steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ equality.

  Steven Petrow

  Republican, Trump, Steadfast

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Cross-dressing is more of a set of actions or behaviors and not synonymous with gender identity (straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, among others).

  Steven Petrow

  Gay, Bisexual, Identity

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• More people use guns to kill themselves than to kill others.

  Steven Petrow

  Gun, People, Use

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• From my vantage point, when I'm criticized in a way that I can hear what's being said - i.e., the issues - I'm more likely to listen and respond. A lot of the personal email I receive consists of name calling; I'll write back and say: Talk to me like I'm a person and you're a person and tell me where you disagree with me. I can't tell you how that turns people upside down. More often than not they write back with an apology and a reasoned argument.

  Steven Petrow

  Writing, Apology, People

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Okay, so here's my question: When did civility become incompatible with protest? Why do some people consider civility an antonym - anathema, even - to political action and dissent? Because, and I'm raising my voice, it's not. Have we forgotten how Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent civil disobedience to free India from British rule and inspire civil rights movements worldwide?

  Steven Petrow

  People, Political, Inspire

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Putting our heads in the sand is not a wise strategy.

  Steven Petrow

  Wise, Sand, Strategy

  "Civilities: Is this the beginning of the end for Breitbart's Milo Yiannopoulos? Taking your questions and comments". Live Chat, live.washingtonpost.com. February 21, 2017.

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• We need to regain the art of civil discourse and more practically, I don't think you change anyone's mind by calling them names.

  Steven Petrow

  Art, Thinking, Names

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• As for LGBTQ people supporting Donald Trump (or other Republicans), I do understand that some of them value his stances on immigration, climate change (I should say "the war on coal"), and the economy over those of equality, fairness, and justice.

  Steven Petrow

  War, Justice, People

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• The right to be married was hard earned by the marriage equality movement and one of its "perks" is the right to use the terms commonly associated with marriage; husband and wife are the two most common.

  Steven Petrow

  Husband, Two, Wife

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Please Mr. Trump: Say what you mean. Mean what you say.

  Steven Petrow

  Mean, Trump, Please

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• You do not need to be female to be offended.

  Steven Petrow

  Female, Needs, Offended

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• I think identity issues have their place in the workplace, less so personal behaviors.

  Steven Petrow

  Thinking, Issues, Identity

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• A quick comeback is usually meant as license to be mean.

  Steven Petrow

  Mean, Comeback, License

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• I really don't understand how parents can talk about gay couples' PDA as a problem or a transgender teen's suicide and not the fact that too many of our kids are being murdered in the schools and on the streets.

  Steven Petrow

  Suicide, Couple, School

  Source: live.washingtonpost.com

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• Being LGBT is not a choice. It's not about "a sexual proclivity." It's not a "lifestyle," as you put it. It's about our identity. Pride is a time when we come together to celebrate our community and when others do, too. Just as we do for other racial, ethnic, and religious groups that are part of the "tossed salad" nature of our society.

  Steven Petrow

  Religious, Pride, Choices

  "Civilities: We'll be talking about your reactions to the Orlando massacre for the full hour". Live chat, live.washingtonpost.com. June 21, 2016.

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• You know, my goal is not to convince you that I'm right or that you're wrong. About homophobia. Gun violence. Racism. Whatever the issue. I'm really trying hard with you - and others - to have a respectful discussion, debate about these issues.

  Steven Petrow

  Gun, Issues, Racism

  "Civilities: We'll be talking about your reactions to the Orlando massacre for the full hour". Live chat, live.washingtonpost.com. June 21, 2016.

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• I'll tell you what gives me hope. After the struggle for marriage equality, the LGBTQ community has built some very powerful organizations; in particular, I'm thinking of HRC (the Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD... but there are many, many others, too. Along with those organizations come some savvy and tested leaders who have come to understand not only how to change hearts and minds but also legislators and judges votes.

  Steven Petrow

  Powerful, Struggle, Heart

  "Civilities: We'll be talking about your reactions to the Orlando massacre for the full hour". Live chat, live.washingtonpost.com. June 21, 2016.

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• Most pedophiles are straight not gay.

  Steven Petrow

  Gay

  "Civilities: We'll be talking about your reactions to the Orlando massacre for the full hour". Live chat, live.washingtonpost.com. June 21, 2016.

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• To parents who find a child's disclosure about sexual or gender identity challenging, I always urge what I'd call "moderated" honesty. If you can't say "I love you," then say something like, "I'm going to need some time to digest this news." Buy time this way. And then think.

  Steven Petrow

  Children, Honesty, Love You

  "Civilities: Steven Petrow answers all your LGBT and straight social dilemmas for the hour". Live chat, live.washingtonpost.com. September 13, 2016.

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