Much of the oppression faced on a day-to-day basis by the LGBT community is covert and comes in the form of comments and jokes, along with body language and other non-verbal behaviors.
Picture yourself taking a nice stroll around campus holding hands with your significant other. You are laughing with each other, and occasionally stopping for a quick, tender kiss. Can you imagine what it would be like if virtually everyone you passed stared at you like you were a creature from Mars with some infectious, horrific disease? You also even hear a few mumbles like, “That couple is repulsive. Yuck, what do they think they’re doing holding hands in public, those revolting rejects?”
I sought some guidance from Thomas Lavenir, a JMU staff member who is also an active part of SafeZone, a program that strives to create an accepting atmosphere for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students at JMU. Thomas was patient with me as I inquired about the issues that had recently come to my attention. My eyes were opened wider than I had anticipated by what he had to say.
This is the kind of oppression that members of the LGBT community face each day of their lives, and especially in a conservative, southern area like Harrisonburg where our extra-tight Bible Belt is buckled two or three times around.
The situation gets graver. Of all hate crimes, those related to sexual orientation hold the third highest rank. Members of the LGBT community are seven times more likely to be attacked than straights. Eighty-four percent of LGBT youth have been harassed, and 50 percent of situations in which New York City youth have been kicked out of their homes have been related to sexual orientation.
Indeed these are extreme cases, but nonphysical bigotry can at times be equally damaging. We have the crucial responsibility to examine ourselves and the respect (or lack thereof) that we show to the LGBT population. We need to remember that just as having a community full of both men and women greatly enriches the diversity of perspectives available, so it is with a community containing these precious people whose sexuality just so happens to not follow the norm.
As a straight female, I have performed more than my share of discourteous actions toward the LGBT community. But today, I come before you a woman with a changed agenda as I wish everyone a happy National Coming Out Day!
I encourage all to walk unafraid in your identity, whether you are gay, bisexual, transgender or straight. If you are currently wrestling with your identity, I applaud you for your struggle and urge you to search boldly for who you truly are. Do not be afraid to seek aid in this journey, for while there are many who will mock you, there are many who are thrilled to support you.
While we in American society tend to celebrate the uniqueness in our range of abilities, jobs and physical attributes, we are prone to forget that we should also revel in our sexuality differences! Today, let us begin to celebrate our diversity. We are each a unique creature, yet we share the same origin.
Sarah Teach is a sophomore dietetics major.
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