Vampires Demand Your Blood… And Social Acceptance.

Research on Vampires Puts Twist on Culture of Acceptance

by Josh Guckert

Katherine Timpf of National Review recently reported that researchers from Idaho State University and College of the Canyons and the Center for Positive Sexuality in Los Angeles have released a study entitled “Do We Always Practice What We Preach? Real Vampires’ Fears of Coming out of the Coffin to Social Workers and Helping Professionals.”

The study examines 11 “real vampires,”distinguishing them from “lifestyle vampires.” Real vampires were born with a belief in the “need to take in ‘subtle energy’ (called feeding) from time to time from a willing ‘donor’ in order to maintain physical, psychological and spiritual health.” According to the study, the real vampires were born this way (like those who are born with a sexual orientation), whereas “lifestylers” have seemingly made a conscious choice.

The lead researcher of the study Dr. DJ Williams states that others should not be bothered by these vampires’ desire to drink blood, as it is expected that they “should act ethically and responsibly in feeding practices.” The real problem, in Williams’s mind, is that others judge them for their blood-drinking practices.

This is because the study suggested that all 11 participants were able to function normally based on questions about their psychiatric histories. In spite of this, it was reported that nearly all participants preferred to “stay in the coffin” for fear of being misunderstood, labeled and potentially having to face severe repercussions to their lives.

Williams said that “The message is to not take things at face value, to be more aware of our stereotypes and our judgments, maybe focus on commonalities that people have.”

This study marks the newest chapter in the emergence of rapidly changing social norms. As libertarians, we have never had any issue granting respect and equality to anyone. However, new research like this can perhaps make us all step back and ask: where are we headed?

With the long-overdue acceptance of gay Americans taking hold, transsexualism took the stage when Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner in a highly publicized Vanity Fair cover. Most agreed that if Jenner wished to be recognized as a woman, she should be granted that right.

Months later, Rachel Dolezal, a white woman, was found to have been pretending to be a black woman for years, as she ascended to leadership roles in her NAACP. Seemingly attempting to capitalize off the sympathies which Jenner had found, Dolezal identified as “trans-racial,” saying that though she was born white, she “identified” as black.

This saga was mind-boggling for many and tested the boundaries of what Americans would accept. Granted that Dolezal’s story seemed much more disingenuous that Jenner’s, new questions arose as to just how much leeway we are willing to grant to what people “identify” as.

Most importantly, as proponents of the liberty movement, it is always important to note that we advocate equal treatment under the law for all persons, no matter how out-of-the-ordinary we may see them. What makes libertarians unique however, is that we view rights not as allocated to certain groups (e.g. women’s rights, gay rights, etc.) but rather as reserved for individuals.

The problem comes when those on the “politically correct” left move from mere acceptance to an imposition and demand of special recognition. This is to be expected with new “groups” being created daily, all demanding special privileges.

There is certainly a thin line between guaranteeing equality and attempting to forcibly change thoughts. While progressives once adopted a “libertarian” philosophy on these kinds of subjects, it seems that as social tides have gone their way, they have once again decided to side with authoritarianism.

If someone wishes to identify as a fictional character like a vampire, we cannot stop them; in fact, it would be wrong to attempt to do so. However, there are no “positive” rights for any kinds of groups; they are guaranteed only the same natural rights that we all deserve. Vampires may indeed live among us, but it is important to insist that individual rights always prevail over collective rights.