This is an opinion that some understand, and some don’t. It’s good to be able to be open to people about what your sexuality is, not only because that is who you are, but also, no one should feel the need to hide their true self. I will support the LGBTQ+ community till death, plus I am a part of it myself.

Creating this silly standard where couples are only women and men of the same gender is just so toxic. The LGBTQ+ community gets criticized so much, for just being who they were created to be in this world. Dictating who a person can and cannot love needs to stop. A GLAAD article titled “Guide to Anti-LGBTQ Online Hate and Discrimination” highlights cyber-bullying situations that people in the LGBTQ+ community experience, for example, harassment, hate speeches, and disinformation about the community online.

Homosexuals have a feeling of empathy for each other for having the same experiences when being part of this community, especially knowing that this community has had these struggles for centuries. These struggles and feelings of empathy have created such a long history leading up to gay rights movements. The first gay rights movement was way back in 1924, organized by Henry Gerber, who fought for protection of gay people’s interests. The end goal was to be able to publish the first American gay-interest newsletter called Friendship and Freedom. A recent gay rights movement in the early 2020s was fighting for full legal protection against discrimination, specific federal and state laws to prevent hate crimes, and the right for transgender individuals to live and work without discrimination, including access to healthcare and the ability to change legal documents.

I often hear people say that homophobia is instinctive. An article from PBS and scientific studies titled “Hating Gays – An Overview Of Scientific Studies,” mentions that those who are homophobic are less likely to have met any homosexual people than non-homophobic people. Homophobia is common in those who are older and less educated, and those types of people — older or not — honor traditions, in this case many of those old traditions are surrounding restricting attitudes about sex roles. This creates high levels of authoritarianism and related personality character traits.

“We are powerful because we survived,” American writer and professor Audre Lorde said. This quote was part of her presentation in February 1982, titled “Learning from the 60’s at Harvard University.” The topic that she spoke about was very powerful, because the LGBTQ+ community has gone through so much inequality and hate for so long, which makes them all yearn to be treated way better. The LGBTQ+ community will always fight for what they know is right, no matter how many times they get shut out or shown aggression. I fully believe that one day my community’s dream of getting treated like normal human beings will come true.

“Love is never wrong,” American singer-songwriter and musician Melissa Etheridge said. This quote was part of a song she made titled “Mothers,” in an album called “Heaven and Back,” which was released in 1994. She speaks nothing but the truth. Even such a small quote can have such big effects and a powerful meaning- that can change and bring so many people joy and serenity. This quote also has the power to bring sympathy to those people who have gone through so much pain just trying to be who they are. Some homosexuals have committed suicide because they have been bullied so badly. You should be able to choose who you love in this world, because that is your feeling and you should be able to give that love to anyone that makes you feel so strongly. Life is way too short to just go and restrict such normal things, such as love, in life.