So yes, very much I would like to diminish the supposed differences we have.

But that's my point. These people keep on hearing those comments, and they get sick of them. Even when they tell someone "Hey, that's offensive," they get told in return "Oh, that's just how so and so is." or "You need to stop being offended so easily."

...but I have the easiest time respecting someone when I think of them not as another race, not as female, not as gay, but as a human being.

Then think of them as both?