As much as it’s fun to “cancel” people, it’s much more practical to admit that everyone is capable of growing, changing, and educating themselves out of ignorance.
Don’t get me wrong—it is okay to critique bigoted views.
However, it isn’t okay to fight bigotry with more bigotry.
If someone publicly comes out as a member of the queer community, it isn’t up to us to decide whether they “qualify” or not based on past behavior.
People tend to feel more comfortable coming out during Pride Month.
When the subject of LGBTQ+ acceptance is already on most of society’s mind, it is easier to join the conversation with a personal perspective than it would be during the rest of the year.
But like every community, the queer community has people in it who are unpopular or problematic.
This surge of coming out stories often includes figures in the public eye—but it isn’t always the ones we adore. Sometimes it comes from someone people would rather not be associated with.
Rachel Doleza became infamous in 2015 for faking her race.
Dolezal was the president of the NAACP’s office in Spokane, Washington when her white parents used old childhood photos and her birth certificate to reveal that she is not of African American descent.
She became ‘obsessed’ with the culture after her parents adopted four black children.
Her parents explained that Dolezal “adopted a lilt in her voice to sound like a Southern African-American woman” and used an undergraduate portfolio of African-American art in order to get a full scholarship to Howard University, a predominantly black school.
“We’re not aware of any African-American in our lineage. If anyone found any, we would embrace it, but it’s just not there.”
Since her true heritage was revealed, Dolezal has written a memoir titled In Full Color: Find My Place In A Black And White World in an attempt to defend her two-decade-long ruse.
Dolezal wasn’t entirely cancelled.
She has since garnered a small fan base, though a lot of people remain unimpressed with her lack of remorse. She has 1700 subscribers on YouTube, where she posts recipes, hair tutorials, and other life updates.
Now, Dolezal has taken to Instagram to reveal the truth about a different side of her: her sexuality.
“Just wanted to take a moment to recognize Pride Month,” she writes, “My first kiss was with a girl when I was 18. I am bisexual. Just because I have been married (briefly) to a man or have had children by male partners does not mean I am not bi.”
Dolezal’s post continues to call out stereotypes about bisexuality.
“Just because I’m bi doesn’t mean I’m confused. Just because I’m bi doesn’t mean I’m ‘almost’ gay. Just because I’m bi doesn’t mean I’m any less monogamous or into threesomes.”
“I’ve always been attracted to a certain vibe and the body parts present matter less to me than the heart, soul, compatibility & chemistry.”
She continued to inform her audience that the ‘B’ in LGBTQ+ should be completely legitimate all on its own.
“We are here, and no one’s opinion is going to make me gay or straight or not bi.”
The post was partially about coming out and partially to show her support for the queer community.
“Although I’ve been single & celibate for 4 years and don’t plan to change that any time soon,” she writes, “this is my lil Pride support post to say ‘press on’ and ‘keep being you’ to the bi community.”
The public has been quick to accuse Dolezal of simply claiming, once again, that she is part of another marginalized community.
However, her fans have flooded the post with comments of support and acceptance, welcoming her into the community.
There has been a lot of support for Dolezal.
Many more wished her a happy Pride month and shared how they related to her story.
h/t: New York Post
