Why we, the LGBT+ community, continue to fight

Photo credit to Jose Luis Magana of the Associated Press

Monday June 26, 2017 marks two years since a landmark decision in the United States Supreme Court.

On June 26, 2015, in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court decided that same-sex couples have the fundamental right to marry according to the Fourteenth Amendment.

This decision legalized same-sex marriage in the entire United States, including the 14 states where it had been illegal.

This would seem like a momentous occasion of the LGBT+ community, and it was.

However, there are sometimes misconceptions that now that same-sex marriage is legal, all is perfect for the LGBT+ community.

The law of the land may guarantee equally for everyone regardless of race, sex, gender and now sexual preference, but society continues to lag behind.

Why is this so? Why isn't everything equal, good and dandy? Why are we, the LGBT+ community, continuing to fight for equality two years after Obergefell v. Hodges?

The truth is, we are not yet equal.

The truth is, we will probably never be completely equal, but we must seek progress.

When "straight pride" ceases to be a thing brought up during the precious days of Pride, we will be equal.

What discrimination, persecution, limitation by law, society and inner communities have straight people faced to require a day of pride where they can be themselves openly without fear of personal endangerment?

When we all, as an American society, built on freedom, equality and liberty, wake up to realize that the history of anti-LGBT+ sentiment is alive and well, then will we be equal.

The history of torture, death and injustice spreads wider than the gays killed during the Holocaust, the injustice seen at Stonewall Inn, the assassination of Harvey Milk and the still-fresh scars of the Orlando Pulse shooting.

The unequal value of life given to the LGBT+ community is seen in our society today.

Until we realize that we ourselves, in this generation of America's ongoing progression as a people, are driving young gay, bi, trans, etc. boys and girls to a life of secrecy, depression and possible suicide, we will not realize that we must change.

When we can know that our lives are safe, then we will be equal.

Until we can be treated equally in restaurants, sidewalks, public restrooms and in our own homes, we will not know equally.

Until the life expectancy of transgender black women increases for 35, until the murder rate of trans women by cis people betters from 1 in 12 and 1 in 8 for women of color, we will fear for our lives.

Until we as a society can overcome our fear of allowing children to be adopted same-sex couples, we will fail as a nation.

When we have the conversation, we will be free from discrimination, misunderstanding and prejudice.

Until we rely our judgment of people based on interaction, empathy, compassion and understanding rather than a body of text written centuries ago that we selectively paraphrase, we will live in a world of misunderstanding and ignorance.

Until society understands the daily struggles of those who are different and engage in the conversation, there will be a culture barrier.

Until society reflects on its actions of bullying, rejection and poor treatment of the LGBT+ community, there will be more Tyler Clementi's, more Seth Walsh's, more Jamey Rodemeyer's, innocent young men shamed to the point of suicide for who they loved who left this world before they could find support.

These brave boys, who died at age 18, 13 and 14 respectively, all lived lives too short. They may have benefited by today's progress as could have benefited from their brave stories and experiences.

In a 2011 study, five to ten percent of LGBT youth attempted suicide. That is five to ten percent too high for innocent, good-doing young boys and girl who simply love the way they do.

This piece will not, can not solve the issues we, the LGBT+ community face on a daily basis. Our hope is that one day, today, tomorrow, some day, we will be at peace.

Our hope is that some day, America's children, the world's children, will come out to the world, go about their days and not be persecuted or attacked.

Our hope is that some day, gay men, trans women, the entire LGBT+ community will have the right to live a normal life, just as they are promised by the law of the land.

This piece will not solve the world's issues, but as President Barack Obama once said, "When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free."

What is more American than freedom, equality and love?

Keep an open mind America, please.

As Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete in U.S. pro sports once said, "Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start."

This piece, the conversation we have today, the openness of that closet door, the openness of your heart to friends, family members who come out to you as gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender or an ally to the LGBT+ community, will bring progress.

All we can offer is progress.

Finally, as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected into office in the state of California, in the city of San Francisco, perhaps the pride capital of the United States, said this before his assassination in 1978:

"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

In honor of his death, in honor of every death for those who died for loving whom they loved, in honor of those harmed, bullied, persecuted and affected for being a member of LGBT+ community or an ally to the community, this piece is for you.

Sincerely,

Alex Marchante

Cas Ryan

Olivia Carino

The Staff of The Bullpen

Photo Credit to Flickr/Benson Kua