Dear Homophobic Citizens of the United States of America,
Many people in the U.S. are ridiculously unaware of how America’s majorly-homophobic climate affects LGBT people, or more importantly, the LGBT youth. Although studies show that public opinions on LGBT citizens have drastically improved over the years, this so-called ‘issue’ is still a sharply divided topic, especially with newer generations. That being said, an overwhelming ninety-two percent of LGBT students report hearing homophobic slurs on a daily basis. Similarly, a whopping eighty-four percent have reported being called names, teased, or worse, threatened because of their sexual orientation. Thirty-nine percent of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, along with fifty-five percent of transgender students, reported having been commonly pushed around in public places, such as hallways, trans youth being about one-third more likely to suffer the bulk of physical harassment on account of their expression than gay, bisexual, and lesbian students due to their sexual orientation. And despite disgusting incidents that sporadically sweep headlines …show more content…
That’s right, ‘toxic homophobia’ has weaved its way into our lives, too. Surveys show that anxiety about the thought of being gay leads many straight youth to take serious risks—having sex unprotected or using alcohol or other drugs for some examples. Moreover, ending homophobia would improve the health outcomes in all of its young participants—whether straight or gay, lesbian or bisexual, transgender or questioning. But no matter your sexuality, it still doesn’t make an excuse to stand by as homophobic action or insult takes place. We need to do what we can to protect our LGBT brothers and sisters, because like us, they are only human. We can’t help who or what we love; no one can. After all, what point is there in discriminating against
Many people in the U.S. are ridiculously unaware of how America’s majorly-homophobic climate affects LGBT people, or more importantly, the LGBT youth. Although studies show that public opinions on LGBT citizens have drastically improved over the years, this so-called ‘issue’ is still a sharply divided topic, especially with newer generations. That being said, an overwhelming ninety-two percent of LGBT students report hearing homophobic slurs on a daily basis. Similarly, a whopping eighty-four percent have reported being called names, teased, or worse, threatened because of their sexual orientation. Thirty-nine percent of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, along with fifty-five percent of transgender students, reported having been commonly pushed around in public places, such as hallways, trans youth being about one-third more likely to suffer the bulk of physical harassment on account of their expression than gay, bisexual, and lesbian students due to their sexual orientation. And despite disgusting incidents that sporadically sweep headlines …show more content…
That’s right, ‘toxic homophobia’ has weaved its way into our lives, too. Surveys show that anxiety about the thought of being gay leads many straight youth to take serious risks—having sex unprotected or using alcohol or other drugs for some examples. Moreover, ending homophobia would improve the health outcomes in all of its young participants—whether straight or gay, lesbian or bisexual, transgender or questioning. But no matter your sexuality, it still doesn’t make an excuse to stand by as homophobic action or insult takes place. We need to do what we can to protect our LGBT brothers and sisters, because like us, they are only human. We can’t help who or what we love; no one can. After all, what point is there in discriminating against