Gay rights. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that this has been a huge topic in the political, social, and religious spheres. Discussions about whether or not the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community (otherwise known as the LGBT community) have the right to be wed and recognized as a married couple by the government have been had in kitchens, classrooms and beyond. Recognition of the fact that this topic is worth a discussion or two is a step in the right direction. Anything is better than remaining silent or ignoring the plethora of rights being denied to our fellow Americans. However, we must now take a step beyond this recognition and act in the name of the suppressed. We can no longer accept "tolerance in moderation" as a nationwide mindset. It is time to end discrimination, and grant rights to the LGBT community just like they deserve.
This is not meant to be a satirical post about an issue many of you have heard me speak of. This is a cry for action. My intention is not to eternally condemn those who are bigoted. Lord knows I'm in no position to do so. My intention is to present the facts and arguments that are being made daily on behalf of a group of people who are being denied the simple request to be considered equal. For those of you who do not support gay rights, I will share a perspective that will hopefully soften your heart towards those who are, at the end of the day, just like you. For those of you who are supportive but passive, know that you can make a change. While it may not be immediately visible, you reside in a country where hearts are hurting. Your vote, your voice, and your actions can change a mind for the better. Once again, consider this my plea for you to do so.
Many arguments have been made opposing rights for the LGBT community. From a religious standpoint, the argument is that gay marriage is a sin, and that God intended for us to be with partners of the opposite sex. High members of churches across the nation have condemned LGBT Americans to an afterlife of hellfire simply because of their love for another person. In the absence of religious beliefs, men and women turn towards discrimination because they believe that being gay is a choice; the wrong choice. They believe that same-sex couples are detrimental to our posterity, and that they are incapable of raising children due to the absence of the opposite sex. These individuals are being considered inferior, incapable, and unnatural.
This is unacceptable on a number of levels. Consider for a moment the damage that these mindsets cause on a psychological level. Attempting to convince an individual that they are inferior to you (or anyone else for that matter) because of whom they love is atrocious. Who made you high chancellor of the realm and granted you the ability to judge anyone beyond yourself? The fallout from behavior such as this is heartbreaking. Americans across the nation are residing in a country where they are told to be afraid and ashamed of who they are. This bigotry doesn't end beyond a certain age group, either. Children are being judged, bullied, and abused because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, and it has led to alarming results. While working on behalf of the Southern Poverty Law Center this summer, I've learned that students have been subjected to neutrality policies that don't allow for an educator to intervene when a student faces gay bullying. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, an estimate 30-40% of teens who are either LGBT or have been associated with the LGBT community have attempted to commit suicide. 20-40% of teens found homeless in America have identified themselves as LGBT. Beyond that, individuals regardless of age can be fired in 29 states for being gay, and in 34 states for being transgendered. These are the facts, and they are terrifying.
Even when approaching this from a religious or spiritual point of view, the argument does not make sense. Consider the fundamental Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. This argument has been made time and time again, leaving LGBT people feeling as if God doesn't love them because of "the choice they've made to be gay." Churches have expelled gay couples from their buildings, messages of hatred have been thrown around, and anti- gay sentiments are perpetuated on the basis that gays are sinners. Now, let us consider other fundamental Christian values in regards to these issues. The last time I checked the Bible, Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). In the eyes of a Christian, we all sin. Just because your sin is different does not place you in some elite club in which you are permitted to jeer at other sinners. What ever happened to loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)? On top of that, Christians claim that God made individuals just the way they are (Psalm 139:15). To judge God's creation is to judge God himself, so while you may feel good about putting your nose up in the air when in the presence of LGBT people, you're displeasing God. Finally, "God so loved the WORLD that he gave his one and only Son" to die for us (John 3:16). Nowhere does it say "God so loved just the Christians, far right extremists, and straight men and women that he gave his one and only Son so that those groups could go on and decide who gets to be deemed a sinner." Succinctly put: You are not the God of your religion, so stop making decisions for others, and stop judging them like you have any sort of divine right.
Lastly, there have been several arguments made that gay marriage will shake the foundation of marriage, and will put the sanctity and tradition of marriage to shame. I don't see how anyone in the US could attempt to protect the "sanctity" of the current definition of marriage. Couples jump into marriage without understanding what it means to be a half of a whole. Over 50% of American marriages end in divorce, leaving kids in broken homes. Now, I will NEVER insinuate that parents are not capable of raising their kids alone or in a joint situation. I was raised with divorced parents, and I am proud to say that I have a healthy relationship with my family even with the divide. However, many children are left with parents who dislike each other and are strained emotionally for years on end. Marriage is not perfect, and even married couples who stay together do not do so without fighting from time to time, but to imply that straight couples are more capable of "keeping it together" than gay couples is absurd. Statistics betray those who believe that the ideal marriage is between couples of the opposite sex. Additionally, there has been an argument that same-sex marriage will ruin reproduction, and could never be true parents. Well, there are plenty of straight couples who could never be true parents, hence why we have children in foster homes. Their parents were incapable of raising them, but for some reason placing children in foster homes due to abuse is more socially acceptable than even giving LGBT couples the chance to start a family. Really, nation? Really?
The arguments of far-right extremists, religious communities, and other anti-gay groups could never sway me, because as I've discussed, they just don't make sense. The rights that I am fighting for here are civil rights. They aren't special treatment, and they aren't going to harm anyone. These rights are in favor of equality and love. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not the problem. It is prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry that tarnish the message and meaning of love. The hatred and intolerance that the LGBT community is subjected to daily is abhorrent, and should end immediately. I've called on you before to take a stand in the name of something you believe in. With this, I'm extending an opportunity to do just that. Spread the word, and expunge the limitations that have been put on love nationwide. There will be no justice until we're equal, so please, stand behind the LGBT rights movement.
Ways to get involved/ show support can be found at:
ACLU.org
SPLCenter.org
Washingtonunitedformarriage.org
Itgetsbetter.org
Glaad.org
Thetrevorproject.org
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