When we are insulted, it is easy to respond in anger. And flash! There is a confrontation. People who are slow to anger, slow to reply to insults are often better able to bring calm to a tense situation.

A person who calls you "lesbo", "fag", "dyke" may not be an evil person. This person may be uninformed or insensitive. There is a big difference. We can help the insensitive learn to be more sensitive and we can inform the uninformed. The next time you encounter somebody who puts you down, try responding as if the person is only uninformed or insensitive, not evil. You may find that approach helps bring calm to a situation that could have become explosive.