2-18-26
This is a scary, disturbing, infuriating time for those of us in the LGBTQ community because we are seeing so much of the population of this country actively supporting (or willingly going along with) rights being taken away from us. It makes us feel increasingly isolated, hated, and alone. It can feel like a punch in the gut when relatives and other people we know are willingly voting for political leaders who are clearly saying they want to take rights away from us.
What is wrong with people? What the hell happened?
Of course, bigotry has been going on since time began, with the LGBTQ community being prime targets for thousands of years. But it particularly hurts right now because it had felt like things were starting to go in a positive direction. There were still far right haters, but it seemed like most people were becoming more tolerant and open-minded with regards to those of us who are queer. Same gender marriage became the law of the land with a significant majority of the population supporting it. But with the political rise of Trump and others (including the religious right): prejudice, bigotry, and hate are becoming more open and prevalent these days with a growing number of political leaders actively trying to take rights away from us. And what makes this worse is how so much of the population is either actively supporting these attacks or are at least willing to go along with them.
I have a news flash for people: prejudice and bigotry are wrong. Attacking other people’s rights just because they’re different from you is wrong. And it causes harm. Attacking our rights deeply hurts, decreases the quality of our lives, and increases the likelihood of queer suicide. Numerous studies and statistics show this.
So why are people okay with all this prejudice and hate?
I think there are numerous factors involved. Unfortunately, there are some on the far right who are so consumed with hate and prejudice that they love this. They love the fact that LGBTQ people are suffering right now. They thrive on it. But I think there are others for whom ignorance and denial play important roles. There are still too many people who don’t understand the LGBTQ community, and this is especially true when it comes to how they see those who are transgender. People often fear what they do not understand so that instead of opening their minds and trying to learn about what it’s like for transgender+ people, they jump to fear and ignorance. Denial also comes into play as they try to convince themselves that their views aren’t prejudiced and that things aren’t so bad for queer people. But I have news for them. Attacking the rights of transgender+ individuals as well as of other LGBTQ people is extremely hurtful and deeply prejudiced. When they go along with rights being taken away from transgender+ people, they are increasing the suicide rates of those individuals. This is a fact.
So you see: these are deeply troubling and scary times for those of us in the queer community.
That then leads to the question: what can we do about it?
Well, we have a challenging journey ahead, but we cannot give up. As many of us who are able (LGBTQs as well as our allies) need to peacefully stand up and speak out for our rights as well as the rights of others, striving to educate people and open minds. We must also vote in overwhelming numbers so that we can vote as many Republicans out of office as possible for the foreseeable future since it is clear that too much of the Republican Party has become twisted with narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and hate.
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Views and Observations 