my dad specifically has really been feeding into hypermasculine, gun-loving, “true American” MAGA nonsense. I am gay and while he has no issue with me or my partner he continues to align himself with people who do not believe in my right to exist. He didn’t believe Elon did a nazi salute. He said I was listening to the liberal propaganda. Now that trump has pulled out all the stops and continues to implement project 2025, I question whether I can still be in contact with him. Even if he is not (outwardly) rooting on everything, him not condemning what is happening to me seems like he is doubling down on his beliefs.

I am drained mentally and honestly think that he will continue supporting the destruction of this country and the rights of millions all because he idealizes their “alignment” with masculinity, guns, the military, traditions, etc.

How do I approach the topic with him and tell him it’s either me or these beliefs/trump? Is that selfish of me? I know some people say that this will only further the divide but honestly I feel like things now are irreperable and I should not be involved with people who turn a blind eye to fascism.

  • actionjbone@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    Speaking as someone who did similar:

    You will never be able to make him understand why you’re cutting off contact. You may not see that now. Spork knows, I didn’t for a few years. But it’s true, if you try to explain he will simply try to debate or he’ll push you off as immature.

    To save your own sanity, all you can do is cut ties completely.

    Other people here may offer differing advice. Some of them haven’t been through this situation, so they can’t know the torment you’re going through.

    I can only speak from my experience.

    Cutting them off was the best thing I did for my mental health. Cutting them off was not easy. I still think of them sometimes, of what might have been. But I’m comfortable with my decision, I’m confident I made the right one. Through plenty of evidence-based psychology, I now understand the reasons.

    Getting back to your first question: sometimes, it’s good to be selfish for the right reasons. Maintaining your own health and well-being? That’s the right reason.

    Your father’s desire to hurt people is far more selfish than making him discuss something. But if you make him discuss it, he will only act threatened and refuse to see your point of view.

    You will only begin to heal once you cut him out of your life. I don’t say that lightly.

    Again, if someone hasn’t lived through a situation like this (and hasn’t had to make the same hard decisions), they can’t understand. So don’t be afraid of the naysayers.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      1 day ago

      Man this is a fucking bummer… As someone who hasn’t spoken to my parents in months for the same reason, I hope you’re wrong.

    • I hope you’re feeling better now. I haven’t lived through the situation you’ve been through, but I believe you made the right call.

      If you value someone in your life, their opinion on something this important should matter.

      If someone isn’t willing to truly listen to the opinions of those closest to them, even if they disagree with those opinions, then they do not value those people as much as those people value them.

  • ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    When I found out my mom voted for Trump the first time, I didn’t speak to her for a year. I only did then because she reached out to say she was wrong (a first for her).

    When I explained (more like yelled) why I wasn’t going to have anything to do with her, I told her in detail how she was betraying everything she raised me to be. She used to sponsor the LGBT club at the school where she worked and I told her she was betraying all those kids she said she cared about.

    It isn’t a choice between you and Trump. It is a choice between your dad being the type of man he raised you to be, or not.

  • ToiletFlushShowerScream@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Do you allow a gangrenous left foot kill the rest of your body because half your shoes wouldn’t fit anymore? Cut it off don’t look back and I promise you will finally find peace. I did it with parts of my family and after a few years I still don’t regret it.

  • thermal_shock@lemmy.world
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    22 hours ago

    Nope, I almost did it, but he stopped pressing my buttons. He thought “grab em by the pussy” was funny, kept talking about trump. Told him the exact same thing I told the ex friend I did cut from my life: I don’t associate with Trump supporters, either cut that shit out or lose my number.

    They have a right to believe what they want, I have a right to distance myself and not speak to them. Their morals are fucked, I will have no part of it.

  • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Not selfish at all.

    I’ve cut so many people from my life. I have a rule. If you exist in my life, and all you do is make me angry, there better be a REASON you’re making me angry. Like when I was TRYING to get my dad to accept help from the government a few years back. His roof is failing. It’s only getting worse. Our city has a roof replacement program for seniors. Totally free roof. His house is rotting. When it rains outside, it rains inside.

    So yeah, I fought him for 2 years trying to get him to take the roof.

    Yeah I made him angry, but it’s because I care about him. And the fight is about getting him to take care of himself.

    Unlike my sister, who will call, just to argue, and fight, with no real reason. I don’t answer her calls.

    And when I’ve had “friends” that only care about you when they need something, fuck off. I’m a generous person, who people think they can take advantage of. And I guess they can to a certain extent. I don’t mind helping those in need. But there comes a point when you realize “I only see this guy every few months, and only when he has some sob story, and needs something”.

    THATS when I stop talking to friends. OR when I realize that I’m ALWAYS the one who has to innitiate contact. Like if I just stayed silent, the friendship would just be over. Ok then. Guess you never think about me if I’m not already in your presense. I don’t need those people in my life.

  • manxu@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Obviously, your mental health and well-being and that of your partner are the first consideration. Please do whatever the two of you need to survive the times.

    That said, when I read, “it’s either me or these beliefs/trump,” I wondered how you would have reacted if your dad had said you have to choose between him and being gay/your partner. I assume you might have shut the door in his face, felt good about it, and never looked back.

    I doubt he’ll feel any different about it.

  • i_stole_ur_taco@lemmy.ca
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    10 hours ago

    “Dad, I can’t do this anymore. You do you and I’ll do me and let’s touch base again in 4 years.”

  • taiyang@lemmy.world
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    I think it’s best to straght ghost them, but I haven’t personal had to do that to family-- only family friends. They won’t change their views for you, it’s really just for your own mental health and a clean cut is so much more satisfying.

    It’s always probably they’ll change on their own eventually and want to reconcile and if that happens, there’s always a way to find someone if one tries hard enough. And if he doesn’t change? People like that deserve to die alone.

  • SolidShake@lemmy.world
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    Talk to him. And however that conversation goes if you feel like cutting contact then cut contact. Family or not toxicity sucks. And you, like many other people, can make a new family from friends

  • illi@lemm.ee
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    By definition it is selfish I’d say. BUT! Huge “but” here, like you wouldn’t believe - sometimes it is alright to be selfish. Sometimes you just need to put yourself first. This is most definitely one of those times.

  • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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    You should limit interactions for your own mental health. This will be unpopular among the more strident hardliners, and I cannot presume to know your situation. Some, if not most of Trump supporters are woefully misinformed. Cutting them off can make them more defensive and further entrenched.

    As time progresses, the cognitive dissonance they are experiencing will become overwhelming and they will need a place to land. We cannot confront this with tough love. Eventually some of them will see Trump for what he is, and only with patience and compassion can we bring them over. The time to take sides will come, and we will need everyone who is willing to help.

  • jackeryjoo@lemmy.world
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    Nope. Do it. I did. It’s rough at first, but it gets better over time.

    You won’t miss him. You’ll miss the idea of who he was, but then you’ll realize he was never the person you grew up believing in/admiring.

    Sometimes you grow up and your dad stays your hero. Other times, you learn he’s a narcissist misogynistic selfish small minded person.

    Cut people like this out of your life.

    • czardestructo@lemmy.world
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      15 hours ago

      You won’t miss him. You’ll miss the idea of who he was

      This hits hard with some personal relationships I lost during COVID because they were anti vaccination. Couldn’t be bothered to care how their decisions affect others, that was ‘their problem’.

  • BassTurd@lemmy.world
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    My brother didn’t vote and in person around family, he is not a Trump supporter but he is conservative. Publicly via social media, he’s never once said a bad thing about Trump and has never hesitated to strawman shit on Dems. During the run up to the election, he made some comments about Kamala after the first debate, and it was all just horseshit takes. I typed a dozen messages and deleted them because what I was going to send would have been one of those things you don’t come back from. Instead I’ve completely cut him out of my life and I’m on active avoidance. The only saving grace for him, is that I know he didn’t vote for Trump, which means almost nothing, but he didn’t actually do the worst thing. Because of that, in 4 years, I’m going to assess the damage of this Presidency and make a choice on if I will ever even consider seeing him again or if he’s dead to me. I will never forgive him and we will never have a relationship, but there’s a chance that we might both be able to go to familial gatherings, like funerals in the future.

    For me, this isn’t a very difficult decision. We’ve never really been super close since he’s quite a bit older, but we were good. I’m fully prepared to miss significant events to avoid him. I’m not sure what your relationship with your father is like, but one thing you have to consider is how it’s going to affect anything else family related, like family reunions, funerals, weddings, holidays, etc. Make sure that you think of all of the effects this may have before jumping the gun and doing something you can’t undo. You can certainly try and salvage the relationship and have a serious heart to heart where you lay it all out, and if that’s not enough, then I suppose that the decision is easier. Alternatively, if you’re ready to be done, you have the option of sending him something with a reason, telling him what’s up and bye, or ghosting him. If you ghost him, that will make any chances of rebuilding a future relationship a lot harder.

    Best of luck.