Picture Credits : Eduardo Pastor
June was chosen to be the time of year that we celebrate Pride month because it was in this month that the Stonewall Riots occurred in 1969, which are considered to be the beginning of the LGBTQIA+ movement and the fight for equality. As people living in a society it is our responsibility to understand these minorities and respect them for who they are so that they can have equal rights as everyone else.
Don’t Hate What You Don’t Understand
John lennon
The History
The first Pride march was held by members of the gay community in New York City on June 28, 1970. After years of protests and activism, it was decided that Pride month would be commemorated every year. The month started out as Gay Pride Month but has now transformed into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or LGBTQIA+ and is considered a time to observe history and heritage, culminating with a celebration of LGBT culture.
The Struggle
Today queer, trans and third gender people are being killed in large numbers. In some countries they can get arrested on basis of how they look, where they are going, who they love or what their gender is. If a person belongs to any of these communities , then getting married may prove problematic. It is not rare for couples belonging from these communities to be separated by their families at a very young age. the gay rights movement has been striving hard to make a mark in our society. LGBT community is not only struggling against police brutality but also with family members and friends that do not accept them for who they are.
Common Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer. These terms are often used as umbrella terms for anyone who doesn’t identify with their birth gender and/or sexual preference. While they encompass a wide range of identities and personalities, there are some key points that should be understood if you want to gain insight into how they feel. One thing you can do is dispel some of these myths by spreading awareness and showing compassion during Pride month. You can read our post GENDER Related Terms You Must Know as a step towards inclusivity.
Language Use
Third gender individuals often face a lot of struggle because they are trying to live a life they love while dealing with people who look down on them and call them things that demean their identity. It is important for queer community members and allies to support our friends and family who are gender non-conforming, or transgender, etc., by getting informed about their experiences and appreciating how much work goes into being true to oneself.
The most commonly known is transgender, which itself is an umbrella term that covers trans women (people born male who now identify as female), trans men (born female and now identifying as male), non-binary/genderqueer individuals (those who do not identify with either binary gender) and more.
Dispelling Myths
Throughout history, every subculture that has been regarded as different from society at large has been surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Because of these misconceptions, prejudice and discrimination can spread like wildfire. For example, a common misconception is that being gay is a choice (it isn’t). On that note, it is also untrue that being gay or transgender equates to sexual deviance or abuse.
How to be an Ally?
There are many ways we can act as allies in our community. By educating ourselves and others, supporting those who identify within it, and using media to increase acceptance, we can reduce stigma and bring positive change. The most important thing you can do is get involved with local LGBTQIA+ events and people. If there’s a pride event coming up, attend it. We are all lucky that more people now identify as allies than ever before.
