LGBTQ Rights

Here You Go Fam

LGBTQ+ Rights

Why does my sexuality affect if I get to live or not? For me, and others it does. I will be explaining what LGBTQ+ stands for, exploring the rights, the impact of shootings and what you can do to help as an ally.

I would like to define what LGBTQ+ means. It stands for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer and Plus. Gay and lesbian are where you're attracted to the same gender you identify with. Bisexual is attracted to primary genders. Transgender change from one gender to the other because they feel as if they were born or stereotyped as the wrong one. And finally Queer is an umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. And finally, the plus is for any other sexual/gender identity terms not covered by the other letters. For those who don't know what cisgender means, I will explain. Cisgender is where you fall into the expected stereotype or behaviour of your gender. Ex: You are a girl. You dress, look and behave like one. The opposite of cisgender is: you are a girl. You look like one, but don't dress or act in any way as a girl. And here's the thing though.

Whether you are aware or not, you know someone who is an LGBTQ+ member. The statistics of someone being LGBTQ+ is every 5th person. I know four people who are bi, gay and trans along with being gay. I met one person and have a great uncle who are both gay. And at least one show you watch has one or more actors or hosts that are an LGBTQ+ member. (I.e. The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Big Bang Theory.) When Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory was asked about his opinion on the reactions when he came out, in 2014, he told the New York Magazine. "All the reactions I got were positive. And the other positive was that there was almost no reaction at all, which was, for me, the most close up view of progress I'd ever personally seen. This gets less and less interesting by the day." It may be a start, but our society still has a great length to go with the rights and protections of the LGBTQ+ community. An example of oppression that the LGBTQ+ community faces in their place of gathering, would be a violent open fire.

When Orlando's Pulse Nightclub fell victim to a shooting in 2016, the families were reeling with the shock of this act of hatred. The shootings in public places all hold an impact on everyone close to the victim. In the tragic Pulse Nightclub event, over 50 people were wounded and 49 people died at the hands of 29 years old, Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to ISIS and open fired on over 300 people. The mass shooting was the deadliest attack in the US since 9/11. However, many countries don't allow people of the LGBTQ+ community to use their rights to the full extent. For example. A person who is trans should get a bathroom for their sexuality. But they don't. Except, in some countries, if they do, some people will start to complain. And what about men who identify as being a woman or vice versa? Should they use the bathroom for the gender they identify with, or should they continue using the bathroom for the gender they were born as? We still need to understand the acceptance of LGBTQ+ communities further.

Canada is one of the most accepting countries in the world. 80% of Canada accepts the LGBTQ+ community, but only 60% of America does. Holland was the first country in 2000, Belgium in 2003 and then Canada in 2005. America farther down the line as the 22nd country in 2015 to legalize same-sex marriages. People around the world are sometimes tortured because of how they look, act or even love. 44% of women who are are lesbian, and 60% of women who are bi experience rape, stalking or even physical or sexual violence. 26% of men who are gay and 37% of men who are bi also experience the same thing. And some people might have known their attacker. Everyone tends to discriminate against people who are different than them. Whether it be in gender, race or sexuality.

"Why do people discriminate against these communities?" you may ask. Well, it's built upon years and years of beliefs, traditions, and thoughts that same-sex marriages, a girl taking her girlfriend to prom or even gay men adopting a baby are unlawful and void. But also, it's because of fear. Fear of change. Fear of shift in power. Discriminators think that by hurting and doing other acts, these movements, and Human Rights activists will die down. In truth, it only makes matters worse. Change is good, and change is inevitable.

Now, before you go off starting a protest on the steps of Parliament Hill. Stop yourself Before 2005, people, especially teens had a hard time coming out as gay, lesbian or bisexual. But now, more and more people are coming out. And not everyone is as accepting of this. Especially in America. But, you, others and I can do so much more than decide who and who doesn't get rights. Who gets a bathroom for their sexuality and who doesn't. You can join groups that talk about the LGBTQ+ discrimination issue. You can show kindness to them. You can help stop the issue, just by bringing awareness. You can sign petitions and go to your mayor or senate. Even go to the Prime Minister about these issues. Just be careful where you go with this. Take baby steps. Join a pride group, Gay-Straight Alliance or any other alliance. Help out in your community. Even if it's something small, you're still helping to change the world.