Attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community have risen drastically in the United States this year, especially in the political sphere. Bipartisan voting is the best way forward.
Recently, the LGBTQIA+ community has come under fire in the political sphere. According to the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures,” close to 500 bills restricting the LGBTQ community have been introduced, debated on, and passed in the United States in the 2023 Legislative Session. Just recently, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of a Christian website owner and stated that she, and other business owners, can turn away LGBTQIA+ customers at their wish.
On top of this, more aggressive and violent rhetoric has been introduced against the queer community, with many labeling queer individuals, such as drag entertainers, as “pedophiles” or “groomers.” It seems as though, out of nowhere in these last few months, Conservative and religious politicians have launched what seems like a full-blown attack on LGBTQIA+ Americans. One of the scariest moments I saw in this fight was when Michael Knowles, a host of the Daily Wire, called for “transgenderism” to be “eradicated” in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Coalition. The seeming normalization of this type of talk has me concerned.
Now, more than ever, voting is the only power that can save our community. According to a 2022 study conducted by Pew Research Center, “about six in ten adults (61%) express a positive view of the impact of same-sex marriage being legal.” A Gallop poll titled “Americans’ Satisfaction With the State of the Nation in Different Areas” found that 62% of respondents were satisfied with “the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the nation.” Another Pew Research Center poll from 2022 found that 64% of respondents favored “protecting trans people from discrimination, even as a growing share say gender is determined by sex at birth.”
Even though the majority acts in favor of LGBTQIA+ individuals, the voice of the minority seemingly holds more power. This is due to wildly exaggerated claims, such as the ones listed above, the media is forcing children to become queer, and that acts of gender-affirming care for transgender minors are bodily mutilation. Those in favor of removing queerness from this country use fear-inducing speech and expressions to convince constituents in their favor.
I am not a proponent of forcing beliefs. But this tsunami of action to erase queer existence directly contradicts our Constitution’s call for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You may not agree with the idea of another living as queer, but you shouldn't terrorize their existence. We must unite across the aisle to put an end to these defamatory speeches, threatening bills and destructive policies.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author.
Sources
Borelli, Gabriel. “About Six-in-Ten Americans Say Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage Is Good for Society.” Pew Research Center, 15 Nov. 2022, www.pewresearch.org/short- reads/2022/11/15/about-six-in- ten-americans-say- legalization-of-same-sex- marriage-is-good-for-society/
Jones, Jeffrey M. “Americans Offer Gloomy State of the Nation Report.” Gallup, 2 Feb. 2022, news.gallup.com/poll/389309/ americans-offer-gloomy-state- nation-report.aspx
Kilander, Gustaf. “CPAC Speaker Sparks Alarm with Call for Transgenderism to Be ‘Eradicated.’” Independent, 4 Mar. 2023, www.independent.co.uk/news/ world/americas/us-politics/ cpac-transgenderism-daily- wire-michael-knowles-b2294252. HTML
“Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures.” American Civil Liberties Union, 23 June 2023, www.aclu.org/legislative- attacks-on-lgbtq-rights? impact=health&state=# categories
Parker, Kim, et al. “Americans’ Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues.” Pew Research Center, 28 June 2022, www.pewresearch.org/social- trends/2022/06/28/americans- complex-views-on-gender- identity-and-transgender- issues/
Comments