We are Humans: LGBTQIA+

It may not be pride month, but still continue on raising the flag. Photo retrieved from bento.cdn.pbs.org 

“Race, gender, religion, sexuality, we are all people and that's it. We're all people. We're all equal.”― Connor Franta

     During my English class, I got a wonderful opportunity to meet Michael, the writer of a letter that my English teacher gave us to read. In his letter, he disclosed to his parents that he was homosexual with no one influencing him. There he opened how being gay is, what it taught him, what he experienced as a child and when he found his home, San Francisco. And in the end, he thanked his parents of what he became and reminded them that he is still the same Michael.

     Every coming out story is different from others, some will have to repeatedly undergo the same process to different people and some will have to do it once. However, it will always be hard for those people who wish to come out fearing that they will be judged, shunned away by their family receive hate and discrimination.

     It's gratifying to know that Michael was able to reveal his sexuality because that would mean he had the courage to come out with confidence despite knowing of what backlash he might or might not receive from his parents, although he did it when he was an adult. No one could blame him though, he struggled to receive acceptance from the people around him at a very young age that rejection became a norm to him. It is also a pity because at such a young age he experienced that and sometimes that would lead to trauma and loss of self-confidence. Keeping such a big secret sets a heavy burden on his shoulder and everyday is a struggle because at any given moment, anxiety and depression could have eat and suffocate him. I know this feeling because I've once experienced something similar. At some point in our lives, we might experience identity crisis or become a gender-queer and I was able to experience both stages until now I'm still confused. I haven't told anyone about this except for three people and its eating me, I have yet to find the guts and courage to tell this to my family.

     Judgement and fear will always be the factors that hinders one person's courage. We live in a world where people will push you down, or judge you for what you wear, for how you act or for your appearance, its a rarity to see people with pure hearts and intentions. Because of those negative individuals, people like Michael will always fear them especially to those who weren't given an opportunity to free themselves. In the end they would deny who they really are to fit in this prejudiced world. By doing this, they are sacrificing their happiness to satisfy those narrow-minded people and this negatively impacts them mentally, emotionally and physically.

     We are now changing and everyone should understand that, and that means we must change our perception and beliefs including our perception on the gender preference of a person. We were born and assigned to be in these bodies we occupy now with no choice, some agrees to be whatever he/she is with that body but there are those who didn't think they fit with their vessel and that's fine. We were given the ability to decide for ourselves and we must use it. However, the reason as to why there are still people who are against this is because being straight or female/male is something that has been considered as normal for us until now. Their perception of gender is of that and when there's something new or abnormal, we consider it as something to be rejected.

People raising the rainbow flag in support to the LGBT community. Photo retrieved from cdn.britannica.com

     This is placing a sense of stigma upon the LGBTQIA+ and that should be diminished because this would negatively impact the LGBTQIA+ community. People in that community would question themselves, "Is something wrong with me?", and because of that they would silence themselves. This could lead to isolation, depression or self-harm. As I've mentioned earlier, not everyone gets to come out and this would just burden them. The pressure and stress because of the loss of ability to disclose their gender could lead to suicide. A study in England says that young LGBT people at the age of 16-25 are at high-risk of suicide and 25% did not ask for any help when they were suicidal. Why? Because they fear for the consequences if they reveal their gender identity.

     Not only do they have to fight against themselves but as well as the people in the community. Discrimination is very common and it comes in different ways, either by benign jokes, verbal insults or worst case, physical violence. This could happen anywhere, at home, in school, at work or in the community. According to Michael Friedman Ph.D, there were cases in school where LGBT children are affected, 40 percent report physical bullying and 19 percent report being physically assaulted at school because of sexual orientation. Bullying can be so intense that 30 percent of LGBT children miss school because they feel unsafe.

     Its crazy how the perception of people could affect a person's well-being. This is so sad because it is clear how these people have such control over the LGBTQIA+ community when they just wanted to be seen and accepted as themselves and not just be tolerated. Tolerance and acceptance are different because tolerance is being patient while acceptance is approving. Tolerance has limitations while acceptance is lifelong and that's what this community is fighting for.

     My support will always be there for people like Michael, I believe that they shouldn't be treated that way because they don't deserve it. Some people in the LGBTQIA+ community has not done anything that goes against the law so I don't see why they have to experience such hardships. I've had debates, arguments, unwritten essays, and made extemporaneous speeches about this matter and what was my common answer? They are human, like any of us. They breathe, eat, drink, poop like any other humans out there, the only difference is our gender preference. There is nothing wrong with them and they shouldn't ask for forgiveness for sin they didn't commit and I'd spread this word in support to the community and to my friends who are a part of this. Let us find peace and live within us and with these people.

Russian civilians, holding love is love banner as to support love for the same or both sexes. Photo retrieved from theconversation.com.

Refrences:

Friedman Ph.D, M. (2014, February 11). The Psychological Impact of LGBT Discrimination. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201402/the-psychological-impact-lgbt-discrimination

Koshal. (2014, December 15). Difference Between Acceptance and Tolerance. Retrieved from https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-acceptance-and-vs-tolerance/

McDermott, E. (2020, February 18). Why it's often still so difficult to be out and proud. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/why-its-often-still-so-difficult-to-be-out-and-proud-66655

QueerCultureChats. (2018, September 30). 21 best LGBT quotes in honor of pride. Retrieved from https://queerculturechats.org/2018/06/04/21-best-lgbt-quotes-in-honor-of-pride/

• Friedman Ph.D, M. (2014, February 11). The Psychological Impact of LGBT Discrimination. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201402/the-psychological-impact-lgbt-discrimination

• Koshal. (2014, December 15). Difference Between Acceptance and Tolerance. Retrieved from https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-acceptance-and-vs-tolerance/

• McDermott, E. (2020, February 18). Why it's often still so difficult to be out and proud. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/why-its-often-still-so-difficult-to-be-out-and-proud-66655

• QueerCultureChats. (2018, September 30). 21 best LGBT quotes in honor of pride. Retrieved from https://queerculturechats.org/2018/06/04/21-best-lgbt-quotes-in-honor-of-pride/