Im going to publicly address something said privately to me, - TopicsExpress

Im going to publicly address something said privately to me, because I want to make this clear and public. I rank success very highly. I will skip vacations to make deadlines, go without luxuries. I have often gone without sleep to roll one work day into another if I needed to. When I determine something must be done, I am relentless. I make mistakes... a lot. This last year has seen more than the usually number and Ive done my best to apologize, make amends, and learn from my actions. I will screw up again, probably today and the process will continue. But I will never prioritize making money over doing what I know is right. I dont use leverage to gouge desperate parties when it comes to business deals. Above everything else, I believe it is better to help than to hurt. That finding common ground can lead to mutually beneficial compromise. Everyone needs the same things; to belong, to feel secure, to be loved. To that end, my philosophy is simple; all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. So long as an individuals actions do not cause damage to or impair anothers ability to pursue those goals, whatever. Its not a difficult position to understand and I dont need to articulate a nuanced argument. If I happen to see you hurting someone else; by mocking their choice to wear religious garb or spending a huge amount to deny someone else equal rights, I will feel compelled to counter it that act as appropriately as possible. Preferably in a way that doesnt embarrass or cause damage, but the world can be a rough place and our actions have consequences. So, when I get a piece of friendly advice that my business will suffer because of my public support for marginalized groups its clear to me that you dont know me well enough to be my friend. Nor do you understand why my company operates in the sector it does. I will continue to vocally support gay marriage. I will be public in doing my best to reach out to people suffering from such pain they contemplate suicide. I will encourage a girl who wants nothing more than to grow up to be an ass kicking Army Ranger and a little boy who wants to grow up to be the best damned midwife there ever was. In fact, I want the world to become a place where that reference confuses young people who just chase their own personal dreams. I dont ever want an atheist, a Christian or a Muslim to feel left out of a social event Im at. Take responsibility for yourself, and let others do the same. I dont believe Im in a particularly important position in the world and Ive no delusions the volume of my actions in the cultural tornado around us. I make choices based on this belief because it is so fundamental to my sense of right and wrong, that I am willing to accept the consequences of my actions. Not just willing. I prefer it to hiding my beliefs out of fear. I did not pick the easiest way to make a living. And if the fact that I want every non predator to feel safe and welcome at a convention... especially the most at risk and vulnerable populations is going to drive people to badgering conventions or organizations into not hiring my company... I accept that risk. And my experience with nerd drama is such that I believe you have a decent chance at hurting me financially and emotionally. Thats fine. Im still going to keep doing what Im doing and having as much fun as possible while Im doing it. And again, to clarify, I know that my positions dont dovetail with everyone. I want to be your friend regardless of what you believe for yourself. Maybe youd be surprised that I agree with your position when making decisions for myself, even as I make an ass out of myself doing everything I can to let others walk their own path free of hate for the choice (again, never forgetting that do no harm to others bit). Its about the freedom for every person to pursue their truths, protected from forceful, isolating behaviour. I hope this is straightforward enough (and publicly posted) that it makes everything clear.