What is LGBTQ+?

The LGBTQ+ Community is home to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer and many more people. Parades, protests and more are helping the world to understand that loving the same gender or identifying as something or someone else is just who they are. More people everyday are opening up to this idea, being a part of the community or even being a straight ally cheering them on from the sidelines.

Do LGBTQ+ People Deserve the Same as Straights?

This depends on your beliefs and religion ( however It is not a sin in any of the major religions of the world.) but to me, I believe that LGBTQ+ deserve the same rights as anyone else. They're all human. This is similar to Back then and still in some parts today, there was inequality between men and women where men were “more deserving” or that “men were more important than women '' and “Women don’t deserve to have rights”. I personally don't agree with that. Everyone in my eyes has a chance no matter race, gender, sexuality, beliefs. I believe that everyone should be equal.

Interviews Q&A with LGBTQ Individuals at PFMS

Interview 1

Question: Are you a part of the LGBTQ+?

Answer: Yes, I am Agender. I am fine with whatever pronouns you use for me. I consider myself a Lesbian because I am attracted to women.

Question: Do you believe in LGBTQ+ Should have rights?

Answer: Yes, because they are human beings and they deserve human rights. Preferences should not matter as long as the rights give in to LGBTQ+ people are equal to people who are not the community.

Question: Have you ever had a conversation with someone who did not agree with LGBTQ+ and if so, How did it go?

Answer: “Yes, I unfortunately have, It was online so the website and person will remain anonymous. I had posted online that I was a part of the LGBTQ+ community. After, I got someone posting on my page that I was being sexist because along with that post, I had said that in my opinion I thought boys were immature at this age. I had replied that it was only in my opinion. Then they said that as being a boy they took serious offence to the comment. Not knowing them, I didn’t know why they would make such a scene about the post. Then then proceeded to call me a sexsist **** I reported them and thankfully never got any rude comments and never got in contact with them again.”

Interview 2

Question: Are you part of LGBTQ+?

Answer: “Yes I am a demi girl and I consider myself a lesbian, because I am also attracted to women.”

Question: Do you believe in LGBTQ+ rights?

Answer: ”Of course. I believe they should have the rights because we all live here on planet earth and we all are humans whether we are a woman, man, gender fluid, non binary etc. We are all people in this world, where no one is more deserving or less important. “

Question: Have you ever had a conversation with someone who did not agree with LGBTQ+ and if so, How did it go?

Answer: Sadly yes, this happened during the weekend when me and my sister were happily riding our bikes, racing each other. This was June, so we were really showing our pride. Then, our neighbor came out and stopped us and told us that being gay was selfish, and gay was a sin, and that we were part of the community to get attention. And at that moment I ran away because I did not feel like I was supposed to be there, or I was doing something wrong.

The Stonewall Riots

The Stonewall Riots, (also called the Stonewall Uprising), started in the morning of June 28, 1969 when police raided the Stonewall Inn. The stonewall inn was a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City.

The raid sparked a riot among customers and residents, and led to 6 days of protests and clashes with the police. This was not a good time for anyone to openly express themselves in the LGBTQ+ community. so they flocked to gay bars and clubs, hoping to be able to express themselves and openly love who they loved. But this was wrong in the government's eyes.

In New York City , same sex marriage was illegal. Bars who served alcohol to known or suspected LGBTQ+ people were inspected by police, with the mere gathering of LGBTQ+ people being deemed unruly.

It definitely was a huge catalyst for the gay rights movement.

Inequality

Twenty-five percent of LGBTQ+ people say they experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity a year. Almost ⅓ transgender people who went to a doctor or dentist’s office in 2017 were refused service because of their gender identity. More than 50% of LGBTQ+ students say they felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, and almost half said they felt unsafe because of their gender expression.

Queer or transgender children are 2-4 times more likely to be homeless, mainly because of family rejection. LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender people of color, will probably experience high levels of police profileing and misconduct.

Things to say (or to not say)

If you are not part of it, support the LGBTQ+ community. Maybe make your friend a flag, or defend them from bullies or just be an ally. Ask what pronouns they use so they feel comfortable. This does not help with inequality, but it will make people feel respected, or the first R in roar.
Do not, I repeat do not say “ I support the lifestyle just don’t hit on me,” being LGBTQ+ is not a choice! It is something you are born with like your skin color or hair color or eye color or how you talk. Also avoid saying “ Just don’t get a crush on me” like? Why? What makes you say that? Say you're pansexual(attraction to all genders without gender being a factor in the attraction to someone. { also referred to as gender blind } ) and you work up the courage to tell your friend for them to hit you with a strong, “ Don’t get a crush on me”. Be respectful people!
“ How come you get an entire month? Like I support LGBTQ+ but a WHOLE month? That is too much.” If anyone ever says that to you, you can respond with,” Who do you think gets the other 11.”
“ LGBTQ+ is unnatural.” if that’s true, then why is LGBTQ+ observed in over 200 species, but homophobia is only documented in one? If a grasshopper can get over it, so can you.
Don’t call transgender and nonbinary individuals by their dead name. Ask them what name they prefer.

Conclusion.

LGBTQ+ individuals deserve rights, so please help them get equal rights. If you see anyone being transphobic or homophobic stand up for yourself or your friends or the community. And lastly, remember that we are all human beings here on planet earth.

Sources

https://elizabethwarren.com/plans/lgbtq-equality

https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots

https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights

Interview Credits:

Callista Murray-Wright: Interviewer

Madeleine Ko: Interviewer

Paula Engel-Herbert: Interviewer

anonymous: Interviewees

Interviewer: Paula Engel-Herbert