In the past few years, LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance have gone up, but even with the acceptance rates going up the community has still been under unfair scrutiny and discrimination.“Being in a school activity that is mainly female there have been times when my identity has been undermined,” said current sophomore Hudson Comption, sharing his thoughts.
Hudson is a part of the color guard which consists mainly of girls or feminine presenting people.
“Even some of the LGBTQIA+ members don’t take my gender seriously because I am in a “girly” activity,” said Compton
Even parts of the LGBTQIA+ community don’t take their other members seriously which causes some issues.
Not everything is dreadful, however. There are many good things about being a part of such a close-knit and primarily accepting community.
“A benefit is that nearly every member of the LGBTQIA+ community has or does struggle with mental health, which makes it a very healthy environment for seeking help and support,” said Compton.
It’s comforting to know that others have faced similar struggles. This creates a supportive community and a safe space for everyone. Many people in the community struggle with how other people perceive them.
Compton explains how he’d like to be perceived, “I would like people to treat me like a “normal” person and not treat me differently because my identity doesn’t abide by what is common.”
He furthermore says, “I think I should be treated based on my behavior and actions rather than my appearance or identity.”
A significant amount of communities tend to have issues with people perceiving them based on the stereotypes that run wild. People should be judged based on themselves, not labels. It’s important to remember that everyone is a person with their own life and story. Hudson shared some of his story.
“I remember crying because I didn’t look like my brothers, and hating all the gender norms of “girl things.” All my friends wanted to play with Barbies and baby dolls, but I just wanted legos and dinosaurs,” said Compton.
Gender stereotypes can be harmful to people in and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community as can other stereotypes.
“I absolutely hate stereotypes. Not everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community has their identity completely figured out,” said Compton.
People like to describe associates of the community as “confused” but that’s not exactly the right word. Everyone goes through self-discovery and changes throughout their life and doesn’t deserve to be labeled as confused. It’s okay to not know who you are just yet.
According to the Williams Institute School of Law, about 4.5% of people in Indiana are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Of these people 10% are unemployed, 13% are uninsured, 27% are food insecure, and 29% have an income less than $24K. These percentages are higher than the ones of non-LGBTQIA+ members.
Facing discrimination in the workplace, school, and the general public makes it hard for LGBTQIA+ members to enjoy and live life. Many live in fear of hatred and bullying.
According to a poll done by Gallup in 2024, 7.1% of American adults identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It’s often noted that it seems that more and more LGBTQIA+ individuals have been surfacing in recent years. Some say it sounds like a trend but that just isn’t true. The numbers of LGBTQIA+ people haven’t changed drastically over the years, it’s just the people who are open to sharing their identities.
It’s much more acceptable to be gay now than it was years ago, but that doesn’t mean that members of the LGBTQIA+ community didn’t exist.
People like Marsha P. Johnson, Frida Kahlo, and Florence Nightingale were some of the foundations for the community today. Without people like them, society would not have come as far as it has in terms of acceptance.
As a member of the community myself I have faced my fair share of challenges.
I have had rumors spread about me, been called unsavory names, and been judged just by who I like and identify as.
Being an LGBTQIA+ individual makes one no different than anybody else. It doesn’t change who a person is. If you liked them before you knew they were a part of the community, then knowing shouldn’t change that opinion.
People shouldn’t be scared of simply existing, and yet they are. Members of the community are constantly terrified of being hated and treated differently due to people knowing their identity.
According to the Center for American Progress, “LGBTQI+ people and other ‘sexual and gender diverse’ people experience structural and interpersonal discrimination that adversely affects their well-being and drives disparate outcomes across crucial areas of life.”
I know many people whose mental health is hurt greatly because of the way they are treated or perceived due to their identities.
Luckily many resources are out there to help people in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Free Mom Hugs is an activist group that attends LGBTQIA+ events. Moms from around America have joined to give out warm hugs to the people of the LGBTQIA+ community who can’t get that motherly love from their own moms.
The mothers from this group are seen at pride events and the smiles that they put on people’s faces are incredible.
Small acts like this can make people’s day, week, month, or even year just because they are shown that they are loved and appreciated.
Fort Wayne has pride events all throughout the year as well. In July Pride is held at Headwaters Park downtown. All throughout the year family-friendly drag shows can be found in many different places. These events bring the community together and are full of love, joy, and pride for individuality.
America has come a long way in the acceptance of LGBTQIA+ members and their identities but it took a long time to get where we are.
Only nine years ago in 2015 gay marriage was legalized. People of the same sex have only been allowed to marry each other for the past nine years. That was a big step in the right direction but it has only been around for a short time.
It’s important to stay true to yourself and love who you are. People can be judgmental, and some may not want to change their ways or opinions. Therefore, be kind to yourself and to others.
If you are happy, having fun, and staying safe, then that’s great! Many of us, myself included, tend to care too much about what others think of us.
Let loose, express yourself, and spread joy and love. Everyone has the ability to make the world a better place, one step at a time.
