In this day and age, we need to take the small victories!
Many LGBTQ individuals in this country have encountered discrimination in some form at least once. In fact it is fairly safe to say we’ve all being affected in recent times… I mean the Pulse massacre did happen.
Nevertheless, here in the great U.S of A, members of the community do enjoy some perks. For every a***** who has something negative to say; for every parent who’s kicked a gay kid out on the street, for every religious person who will die thinking that being gay is a choice; for every closeted person who hate themselves so much they project that hatred unto those who dare to kick, sneak, peek or proudly sashay out a closet door—for all those people there are at least a few hundred thousand others who will always love, support, accept and protect us just the way we are.
So whenever some idiot yells ‘dyke,’ ‘he-she,’ or ‘tomboy’—and for a second you feel like it’s so absolutely horrible to live here—consider the following:
1. Same sex couples CAN get married—still.
Sure, there are those…umm…..people who’d love to change that! But the fact is that NOW we can marry. NOW is really all we have, and we must protect it. Today we can marry who we want, we can adopt kids in most US states without obstacle, and have kids of our own with both parents being recognized. That oughtta be seen as a blessing and nothing else as we continue to move forward with the fight for total and complete equality.
2. Rainbow flags can actually be displayed in public.
I remember the first time I came to America and my friend took me to the ‘gayborbood’ in Philadelphia. I was excited to see gay people. And rainbow flags…in real life…out in public! And there was no angry mob armed with machetes and clubs beating them all to a pulp.
Although I was beyond excited, I was also overcome with envy and saddened by the fact that I was witnessing something that’s probably never ever gonna happen in my Caribbean home.
3. Make America great again? It’s already great.
That’s right. Your country is already great and it can only be greater from here on out. Sure there’s been many atrocities and there are some monstrosities in places of power who’d relish the opportunity to make things difficult in future.
But the fact remains, you live in an amazing country with the idea of personal liberty at its core, and you should be proud of all the progress that’s already been made. Be not afraid, for ‘When cobwebs unite they can tie up a lion.’ —Ethiopian proverb
4: Law enforcement cannot legally refuse to protect or serve you.
Sure, some of them won’t be happy while doing it but they can’t flat-out refuse. I come from a place in the Caribbean where that happens all the time. I’ve personally seen a group of gay men seek refuge from a mob in a police station only to be told, ‘It’s all your fault, with that dirty lifestyle you chose.’
By the way nothing came of that, so there you have it.
5. Organizations exists specifically to advocate on behalf of LGBTQ persons.
The Human Rights Campaign and other nonprofit organizations have done a lot, is doing a lot and will continues to do a lot for the LGBTQ community here in America. There are people and groups such as GLAAD, NCLR and the ACLU whose main mission is ensuring that the rights of LGBTQ individuals are upheld and not trampled on.
There are places all over the world where gay people exist by themselves, solitary, with no formal institution or organization to advocate on their behalf. So while you dwell on the negatives and foresee impending doom in the United States, take a minute to recognize and appreciate those who are sacrificing everything everyday just so that we as a people aren’t obliterated.