"[W]e Remind The LGBTQI+ Community That They Are Loved And Cherished"
At least during Pride Month
This month, we remind the LGBTQI+ community that they are loved and cherished. My Administration sees you for who you are — deserving of dignity, respect, and support.
As I said in my State of the Union Address — especially to our younger transgender Americans — I will always have your back as your President so that you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.
Today and every day, my Administration stands with every LGBTQI+ American in the ongoing struggle against intolerance, discrimination, and injustice.
We condemn the dangerous State laws and bills that target LGBTQI+ youth. And we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping LGBTQI+ people in America and around the world live free from violence.
So Happy Pride Month, eh? I’d like to think that Americans and corporations will take this month to remember and remind others that there are those among us who still aren’t treated as full members of the American family. Sure, the Supreme Court gave the LGBTQ community the right to same-sex marriage. Don’t get me wrong; that’s a wonderful thing.
But in many states, members of that community are still fighting for basic rights because of who they are. Transgender girls are barred from competing in girls’ sports. Some states still bar same-sex couples from adopting children. And the list goes on. Equal rights are still a long way off, and Christians, Republicans, and other Social Conservatives aim to keep it that way.
Say, when did Jesus say, “Same-sex couples shall not adopt and raise children?” I’m asking for a friend.
Pride Month should be an opportunity for the LGBTQ community to show the world who they are and convince the haters that they’re not “recruiting” or “grooming” children. They’re just people like you and me, people who have dreams, hopes, and aspirations, just like anyone else.
Sexuality doesn’t define who or what a person is. It’s just one part of the picture. Someone may be LGBTQ, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be interested in or passionate about the same things heterosexual people are. And even if they’re not, how is that wrong? Being different isn’t a threat to anyone, and taking that difference as a threat to one’s sexuality says more about the person who feels vulnerable.
Sadly, here in the 21st century, there are still those among us who hate and fear those whose lifestyle and sexuality they don’t understand. Nevermind that nothing the LGBTQ community does is intended to reflect directly on haters. More than anything, they just want to be left alone to live their lives in a manner that feels genuine and authentic.
Despite this, there are still those threatened by the very existence of the LGBTQ community and they’d love nothing more than to see them disappear by whatever mean necessary.
[T]hose GOP wars on LGBTQ+ people are as intense as ever. They're passing their "don't say gay" bills, because they're desperate to groom little white children to become little Fred Phelps-style Bible beaters like they are, and they incorrectly believe that if they just prevent their kids from learning that gay or trans folks exist, their kids won't end up gay or trans. This is also why they're obsessed with removing school library books that mention LGBTQ+ people.
We should also note that, in catering only to their most extremist base, there is absolutely zero reason to believe Donald Trump's Supreme Court full of illegitimately appointed partisan hacks will give a damn about public opinion if they have a chance to get their fangs on marriage equality or privacy rights of LGBTQ+ people to live in peace. Supermajorities of the country want to see abortion rights preserved. Meanwhile, we've all seen Samuel Alito's Penthouse letter to the witch-hunters of the 17th century. The Court's conservative majority doesn't even pretend to think it serves the American people. It thinks it's God's little team of hall monitors.
So, while a majority of the rest of the country has no real problem accepting the LGBTQ community, the Conservative majority of the Supreme Court seems open to ruling them back to the 17th century. Or worse.
Then along comes Pride Month, when those of us who support the LGBTQ community remind ourselves and others that being gay, lesbian, transgender, or whatever the label happens to be is but one part of the whole. It doesn’t define a person, and it’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
‘Course, not everybody gets it….
I’d like to think that Pride Month will be a catalyst for education and acceptance, but what will likely happen will be what always happens. Companies will engage in “rainbow washing” to show their support of the LGBTQ community. That will last until at least June 30th, when they’ll go back to doing what they do.
On July 1st, gays, lesbians, transgender people, and others will revert back to wondering if the GOP will legislate them back to second-class status. Perhaps the Conservative majority of the Supreme Court will stop at overturning Roe v. Wade. Or perhaps they’ll discuss their new-found power and begin to remake the American judicial landscape in their own image.
So much for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” eh?
But, hey, Happy Pride Month!!