Acceptance for the LGBT community has grown widely over the past 50 years. Tremendous improvements have been made, although just like any major political movement, there's room for growth. On June 26, 2015 when The Marriage Equality Bill was passed by the United States Supreme Court legalizing Gay Marriage in all 50 states, our country took a huge step forward. But it doesn't stop there, we have a long ways to go regarding TRUE acceptance and understanding.
Some of the worst lines I’m constantly hearing when the topic of the LGBT community comes up are, “I’m okay with gay people, I just hate it when they flaunt it and throw it in your face, or act gay, like we get it, you’re gay!” or “I’m fine with gay/lesbian people, as long as they don’t hit on me,” “I’m fine with people being gay and stuff but i don’t like when they act gay”... What does that even mean, honestly. These phrases and ideologies need to go real quick. It’s funny because people think by saying these things they are supporting the LGBT community since they “accept,” when in reality they’re actually doing the opposite and hurting the cause...
Acceptance is not just being tolerant.
First of all, the LGBT community has every single right to “throw it in your face” as they have come a long way and endured a lot of things that many people may never understand. It’s all about wanting to gain acceptance and feel safe, aren’t we all entitled to that?
After being oppressed for years, even still today with marriage being legal in all 50 states, the LGBT community is still constantly facing a lot of discrimination, insults, judgements, and sometimes even violence…
I can’t bring myself to understand why a person would go out of their way to insult another for wanting to be proud of who they are. It takes a whole lot of courage to step out and be yourself in such a judgmental world. I think everyone, whether they are gay or straight, struggles with some form of self confidence issues. We’re all just trying to find our place in the world. Once someone reaches a point of individual satisfaction or confidence, why knock them down again?! Let them live! We are supposed to build each other up and work together!
By insulting another person for their identity, who they love, or for their feelings is just plain cruel. It’s as simple as that. These statements place LGBT people in a classification of “lower class citizens”... think about it. As long as “THEY don’t hit on me…” as if someone of your own gender finding you appealing is the worst thing ever. Or heaven forbid someone acts like their true selves... their true selves, which you classify as “acting gay?” Do you see how silly this sounds?
It’s putting yourself on an unintentional pedestal. As if you’re not gonna stop it, but you’re not actually 100 percent okay with it... you’re just gonna deal with it...
People have every single right to “flaunt” their pride because should be proud of how far the community has come! It’s not flaunting. It’s pride. Pride of individuality, proud to be able to walk this earth and show the world their strength. If people didn’t speak up and exhibit this ‘exaggerated’ amount of pride *please note the sarcasm* we’d probably still be where we were 50 years ago...
50 years ago it was extremely frowned upon to be gay. Many young people were afraid to come out to their parents and friends with fear of rejection from society. Many families practically disowned their children just for coming out... There are still many people dealing with this same fear today. Our goal should be to try to eliminate these fears by creating safe zones where everyone can feel safe to express their true selves. Let’s help the next generation to be able to love whomever they chose and not have to be afraid that they’ll be stomped on and degraded.
I really can’t stand these arguments. They’re so wrong and disrespectful. Why can’t we just view each other as equals? Why are we unable to set aside gender and attraction differences? People just need to let others be who they want to be. I will never understand how someone being gay affects another person. How are their sexual preferences are hurting you or are damaging to your well being. If someone is proud of themselves and wants to represent then why not?
If a person is LGBT, it really honestly is not affecting you negatively WHATSOEVER.
I’ll never quite understand how another person’s love interests or preferences affect other people directly. Why can’t we just let each other LIVE and LOVE who we so choose. Shouldn’t this be simple? If someone wants to marry someone of their own gender, or was not born in the gender they were meant to be it’s honestly their own life and isn’t hurting you at all.
No one is forcing each other to be gay, or transition. That isn’t what pride is about. Pride is about doing what’s best for our own lives and helping inspire others as well. Pride is about embracing our individuality. Pride is about the struggles we have overcome. Pride is about the strength and courage thousands of people have shown in order to gain more acceptance. Pride is advocating. Pride is speaking out for the unheard voices.
So next time you think someone is “throwing it in your face” or “doing too much” think about how maybe that little extra “too much” has really made a difference.
