“We’re by your side, and you’re by ours. We rise above bigotry, and we shout louder for love.”
Just fifteen words, tweeted to the account of a certain presidential candidate at 9:00 AM, accompanied by a snapshot of my partner, our son Max, and me on the day we finalized his adoption—the pinnacle of our happiness.
By noon, that tweet garnered over 5,000 interactions. By 3:30 PM, it had amassed over 90,000 impressions. But by 4:00 PM, I found myself in a bathroom stall at work, feeling a weight in my chest, realizing that I had been too naive in believing that the strides we made with marriage equality had eliminated hatred from the world. I was utterly mistaken.
Despite the thumbs-ups and favorites, my Twitter feed transformed from a celebration of my support for that candidate into a cesspool of anger, vitriol, and threats. I couldn’t keep pace with the notifications. Just as I reported one hateful comment and blocked another, a tsunami of twenty more appeared. I had become a target of the alt-right.
I share the following quotes to illustrate what happens when you dare to express support for a politician on social media—the infamously toxic realm where cowards unleash their insecurities onto others. For your convenience, I’ve categorized these expressions, sharing them in their original, error-ridden glory.
Anti-Candidate Comments
These were rampant. People venting incoherent thoughts, often with a side of confusion.
- “smh you do realize that the candidate is just a puppet, right?”
- “so you’re okay with a president funded by foreign money? #boughtoff”
- “All she does is blame others for her mistakes. What are you smoking?”
Xenophobic Remarks
We are a pretty standard family, but that didn’t stop the alt-right from attacking.
- “Don’t show that picture to incoming immigrants. They won’t like it.”
- “Do you know where most donations come from? Countries that execute LGBTQ folks!”
- “Let’s welcome those Syrian refugees! They’ll be great allies for the LGBTQ community! LOL!”
Benghazi Rants
Our photo was taken during a joyous moment, yet it didn’t stop the irrelevant attacks.
- “Your candidate should admit her role in that tragedy. Unqualified!”
- “Congrats! Just keep an eye out for Muslims in public places. Stay safe!”
- “Except for those soldiers lost in Benghazi, right?”
Family Attacks
These comments struck a nerve and brought tears to my eyes; they transcend politics. Sharing our family photo meant facing the harsh reality of people’s hatred:
- “The only thing that should be around your neck is a noose, perverts.”
- “This isn’t a family; it’s a social experiment. Enjoy it while it lasts. #FourthReich incoming!”
- “5 years later, they’ll be in the news for child abuse.”
- “Someone call child protective services. That kid’s in danger.”
- “How many times have you hurt that poor child? It shows on his face.”
- “Disgusting. Those degenerates are ruining that boy’s life.”
- “You all make me sick; you’ll be rounded up and put in camps.”
- “Child abuse. You’re ruining this poor boy’s life for your fantasies.”
- “Is it safe to bet on these people abusing the kid? Disgraceful!”
I’m all for civil discourse on political matters; I truly am. I miss the days when I could have meaningful discussions with supporters of candidates like Sam Wilson—her insights challenged me in ways that broadened my perspective. Bring on the debates! I thrive on thoughtful discussions that push my boundaries.
But this wasn’t a healthy exchange of ideas or policy discussions. It was a glaring reminder of what happens when leaders aren’t present to combat hate and ignorance.
This is where we stand today. We’ve allowed a landscape to develop where sharing a family moment results in an outpouring of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance.
I’m as committed to my candidate as anyone can be after carefully weighing the implications of their policies and reflecting on decades of service, which have been tarnished by fear-mongering and slander.
Yet, this transcends political parties. We are at a pivotal moment. While milestones like marriage equality give us hope, we must not forget the vast numbers who still harbor hatred. Moments like these should fuel our resolve to effect change.
My family has no choice but to engage fully with the world, even when that world’s cruelty rears its ugly head online. We are simply a small family navigating through it all.
To think my family’s future could hinge on voter turnout this November? The anxiety is overwhelming.
So, dear candidate, we’re cheering you on from our corner. But days like today are tough on the heart.
Fight for us, okay?
Alex Turner
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Summary
In a world where sharing a joyful family moment can unleash a torrent of hate, this piece reflects on the reality of political support and the battle against bigotry. It underscores the importance of standing together, fighting for love, and navigating a landscape riddled with negativity.