Give me a break...

I spent the evening with my brother tonight. We went to dinner, saw a movie and talked a little bit. Overall it was a good night, we got along how we normally do. The thing is, we normally see things from completely different angles. 

This became apparent, again, in a conversation that we were having about minorities taking offense to comments that could subjectively be taken as derogative, depending on the context. I tended to side more with the minorities in their desire for non-oppressive language, or even language that could be construed as maybe offensive. My brother was more for the side of people needing to not be so sensitive and letting things roll off their backs. 

During the conversation, a thought occurred to me: 

I take strong offense to negative comments made about GLBT people because it takes away from me feeling whole, feeling like a person worth much. Not to say that every comment makes me feel worthless, but if someone is never affirmed in their identity, or a part of who they claim to be, then the anger, frustration and hurt will never cease.

My question is how can we spend our time seeing how people's identities have value in our own lives and communities instead of breaking into separate groups that feel attacked and misunderstood?