In recent news, an armed man came into an LGBT club on June 12 in Orlando, leaving 53 injured and 49 dead. I have seen and heard so many people a part of the LGBT community discuss how they still feel unsafe to be who they are, regardless of how much progress this country has made towards equality. I personally feel for these people, and in fact, I agree with them. No matter how much our nation attempts to show support by sporting rainbows during Pride Month and people are becoming more open to the LGBT community, there will always be a group of people that will hate them for the simple fact that they’re different. There will always be a person who will question why straight people don’t have a parade for being straight, or why the LGBT community even deserves equal rights in the first place. I’ll answer both of those questions with this statement: because you already have those rights. You are not afraid to hold the hand of the one you love. You could get married and be recognized as a legal marriage in all 50 states before June 26, 2015. You are not afraid of being harassed by hateful people just because you are different. You are lucky enough to not see the ugly face of humanity turned towards you.
On that note, we can’t let hateful and ignorant words/actions bring the community down. We should take this tragedy and come together as HUMANS and support each other during this sad and difficult time. With every tragedy the LGBT community has faced, they’ve become stronger. When the Stonewall Riots happened in 1969, it became a huge turning point in history for the community. The LGBT community was recognized more than ever after that. The men and women who fought those riots are the foundation of modern LGBT rights. It’s disheartening to know that it is Pride Month and such a terrible tragedy had to happen during a time where these people should be excited and proud to be who they are. So, instead of giving into the fear, fight back. Let these people know that you are proud to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, genderfluid, nonbinary, or just simply a supporter.
Love is love. Everyone deserves to know what falling in love feels like without the judgement of others to the point where their rights are limited or they’re afraid to even walk down the street. I am a huge supporter of the LGBT community, and I will stand up for their rights because there is no such reason that these people should live in fear. We are all human, but built just a little different from one another. In the words of Lady Gaga, "Same DNA, but born this way."
