The main purpose of an LGBTQ+ event is for people of non-binary genders to celebrate who they are, and why they matter; I think this was exactly the case at the event I went to last night, and I am glad that I, as a cis-gendered male, was allowed to observe it. But I also think that another, deeper purpose, with the event being a sort of "safe space," was to allow for non-binary gendered people to come to terms with the internalized homophobia and transphobia they are pressured to deal with amidst the stigmatization in their workplace, their household or their social setting. Knowing about the normativity of this social exclusion, I was to be conscientious of it when it was addressed. That being said, I did not expect to learn about the level of psychological pressure they are faced with, and I think that, as Millenials and as part of a country that is viewed by the world as a means of inspiration for inclusivity, we need to do better.

In many ways, gender discrimination is still kind of a big deal. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 40% of the high school students in the LGBTQ+ group, here in the U.S., have seriously considered suicide, and 29% have tangibly attempted it over the past 12 months. Those of this group are also 5 times more likely to use drugs, which perpetuates their stigmatization further. Having this identity means being more likely to experience significantly degrading mental health issues. While these facts are shocking, my focus at this point is also on what this psychological trouble stems from: us.

The main issue that any given LGBTQ+ individual and I had to deal with at the event was the widely held idea amongst those in this underrepresented group that they are viewed as marginalized and need our support, and that I came there just to judge them without saying it. The terms "underrepresented" and "marginalized" are not nearly the same, and to think of them as synonymous is to disrespect the entire community without even realizing it. A transgendered individual is so because this is their gender identity. To just acknowledge their presence without interacting with them, which is something that the majority of us tend to do, is to diminish their self-esteem. All those of this community did not change themselves to some abstract idea with no real existence; they are the gender or the orientation they identify with, and it is tangible. This means that they are as worthy of social inclusion as everyone else is, not that they must undergo the stigma, silence and judgment they do every day. Just because June was Pride month does not mean that using a Facebook Pride reaction or an equal to sign or a rainbow profile picture is enough; it means that LGBTQ+ individuality should be understood and respected. While the whole point of the event was to celebrate, I felt a growing division amongst the group, and us, as the Millenials that identify with a binary gender, that is widening and it's all totally and completely our fault.