Why Is There So Much Prejudice Against The LGBTQ Community?

   Why is there still so much prejudice against the LGBTQ (Queer) Community?
   Why?
   LGBTQ people have been around for the entire history of humanity. Plus, LGBTQ behavior is well documented in other animal species. It sure is. Don’t believe me? Check out Bonobos, a species of primate where LGBTQ activity is very common.
   So where did all this prejudice and hate come from?
   The answer isn’t simple.
   Numerous factors are involved in creating intolerance and prejudice because I don’t think people are born that way.
    Lack of understanding is a big one. Many people don’t understand what it means to be LGBTQ. They don’t know the challenges and pain many LGBTQs face on a regular basis. They don’t seem to grasp that being Queer is part of who a person is and cannot just be switched off (and shouldn’t have to be switched off). There is nothing wrong with being LGBTQ. Being LGBTQ can and should be a wonderful thing for those who are.
   Now, add on influences from other people, organizations, schools, churches, political leaders, family, and friends. If many of those surrounding influences are prejudiced themselves, that can affect a person’s thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, especially if the individual already has a lack of understanding about the LGBTQ Community. Think about it. Imagine an individual who doesn’t really fathom the LGBTQ Community and may already have a number of insecurities and misconceptions about the subject. Now, picture a scenario where many of the important people in this person’s life don’t get the Queer Community either and often make derogatory jokes at the expense of LGBTQs. This often encourages and can worsen the individual’s intolerant views and behaviors.
   Something else to keep in mind is how intolerance and prejudice can be insidious so that individuals frequently don’t recognize that they are prejudiced themselves. Of course, there are other people who damn well know they are but have so much hate that they don’t care. Either way, they are harming innocent people with intolerant behavior.
   Such hurt can manifest in many ways. It can occur when people make fun of someone just because that person is LGBTQ. Or when an organization refuses to help because those in need are Queer.  Another example is how many people categorically refuse to date someone they would be interested in otherwise just because that person is LGBTQ (Bisexual+, Non-binary, and Transgender individuals are frequently the victims of this).
   In early 2020, Tennessee signed into law new regulations that allow religious based adoption agencies to automatically reject prospective parents just because they are LGBTQ.  This is legalized discrimination. And now there are multiple “don’t say gay” laws as well as other anti-LGBTQ legislation such as those targeting the Transgender Community, and some even going after Drag performers, being pushed in states around the country. Making matters even worse is how the Federal government under Trump is also actively attacking LGBTQ rights to a seriously heightened degree. It’s especially bad for those who are Transgender. Trump is a trying to act like the Transgender Community doesn’t officially exist. This is exemplified by the fact that US passports now only list a person’s gender as the one assigned at birth, refusing to acknowledge individuals who have transitioned. Transgender celebrity actress Hunter Schafer suffered this when her new passport listed her as male, completely ignoring the the fact she had transitioned to female.
   All this prejudice against the LGBTQ Community needs to change.
   Everyone should take a good hard look at themselves, their views, and the factors driving those views. All should educate themselves to better understand other people, including individuals whom they see as different.
  It’s the 21st Century! Time for everyone to open their minds and let go of the intolerance and prejudice pervading society these days.
  It’s time.
  Frankly, it’s way past time.