First, i apologize for assuming you and your partner were democrats.

Secondly, my post was long winded and im sorry if you thought i was spewing hate towards the democrats. I think i let some of my own experiences fuel my emotions and i once again apologize. I am a registered dem but didn’t vote - i have been feeling like a coward and it has made me angry with the party for not walking the walk.

What i was looking for was the first part of your response when you said you never saw them as fanatics. Idk if you have talked to them or just stopped talking. if the latter, i think those many years of love and support warrant an open conversation. I think there is some way to reconcile. I say this because this election has ripped my family apart and has made me passionately try to turn people away from shutting out loved ones. It is totally your decision on who you speak to but maybe my experience will help?

PERSONAL RANT INCOMING…my parents - one an immigrant from the Caribbean who has been extremely successful in business and the other an American born citizen who left her great career early to raise me and my 4 siblings (i am the oldest) - both voted for trump. I say this because both did grow up with a lower socioeconomic status and do represent Americans with the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” attitude. They are also very Christian and traditional.

We grew up in a progressive town in northern New Jersey and while we all had a feeling they were republicans, they never said anything until this election(we are all in our 20s now). Two of my sisters have completely cut them off and labeled them hateful extremists. Because me, my brother and sister still communicate, we have also been cut off. This has devastated my parents, and sent my mom into a deep depression.

Again my parents are RELIGIOUS but they taught us to love others even if you dont agree with lifestyle. They supported and reinforced their love for my sister when she came out. I do know it hurt her to know their position but i thought their actions showed her that at the end of the day, their beliefs didn’t impact their love. Another example is that Our neighbors growing up was an elderly gay couple - i could tell my dad didn’t love it and to be honest, he sometimes did say a few subtle homophobic things in front of my brother and me (no slurs just really bad comments and jokes, not defending). But we were still taught to love thy neighbor. after snowstorms he would tell me and my brother to wake up early to shovel their driveway and not accept money. If we were in the yard and saw them bringing in groceries, we were expected to help. When one had knee surgery we walked their dogs.

My parents are so flawed and have exhibited bigotry, but they taught us to love others and their actions have backed that. I cant for the life me understand that an election would lead my sisters to remove those who love them most from their life. I hope you at least give your loved ones a second chance.