LGBT speech

the first and only part

This group of people may have a Pride parade every year, but that doesn't mean that all of them don't want or need the support of others. The reason I say this is because some people need support, but are denied it. Support for the LGBT Community is important because some people are; from extremely religious or homophobic families; scared of their family's, friend's, and peer's reaction; of the belief that being gay, bisexual, transgender, or any of the many other identities under the LGBT label somehow make them any less of a human. But it doesn't.

Most people need at least one pillar of support in their life, and some have none. The acceptance and ability to rely on others are both things that some people need more than others, and a number of those people have neither. About 4% of the United States are a part of the LGBT community. While that may not look like much, it really is. The population of the United States is about 325.7 million, and 4% of that is around 13.028 million, which is about the populations of Ohio and New Hampshire combined, and then some. Around 40% of homeless teens and youth are members of the LGBT Community, mostly because they have been kicked out of their homes and/or disowned by their parents because of who they happen to love. Love should not be illegal, yet it still is. Love is the only reason the world is still running. Without love, not you, or I, or anyone, would exist on this planet. Love is the only thing that some people have, while for others it's the only thing they DON'T have, all because of some stupid laws against two people in love being together. Why are people being actively hunted, tortured, and killed, all because of some simple thing that they can't be control?

Some people try to use religion, mainly Christianity, as an excuse to be homophobic. But, to the dismay of many, there is nothing against homosexuality in the Bible. There is an important phrase in the Bible, which is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." This phrase is important, but many overlook it entirely, because some only see what they want to see, and apparently two men in a romantic relationship is one of those things that they don't want to see. The only time when two men are romantically involved is when one or both parties are non-consentual to the relationship or anything involved. Christian people also try to use God against transgender people, because they say, "God doesn't make mistakes." Well, apparently he does, so does everybody else.  Many people want God to be a superior being, a much higher power, when in reality, He probably isn't much different from you and me. People try to use religion against LGBT people, but something my amazing Pastor, Dan Schneider-Bryan, has told us, is that, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you less." God is not discriminatory, and neither is Jesus Christ.

Somebody coming out to you is a sign of great trust. If somebody trusts you with their secret (if it still is a secret), it's very likely want you not to tell absolutely anybody. If you tell somebody they haven't specifically said you could tell, you have betrayed their trust and you shouldn't even TRY to get it back. Trust isn't a simple. It takes a long time to get, because you have to earn it. It doesn't come easy and can be broken with something that may seem tiny to you, but could be monumental to them.  Love is not a choice, but this is gospel and it's better if you do. Do what? you may be asking yourself. Well, you should treat everybody with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, skin colour, height, weight, size, or anything else that nobody has control over. The one thing you should NEVER do when somebody comes out to you, is to treat them as if they were a lesser being than you. The best thing you can do for somebody who is coming out or just came out, is to tell them that this doesn't change your opinion about them. The best thing you can do for them is to always be there for them, to be their support system for future outings, to be their rock, to be someone they can always lean on.

Support is a small thing that can make monumental differences. The most amazing things can happen when somebody feels supported. They can become more confident, more extroverted, more comfortable with themself, and, most importantly, more comfortable with other people. Support is important for everybody, but when people recognize themselves as somebody in the LGBT Community, they may try to seclude themselves from people so as for them to not find out. It takes some people YEARS to tell even their best friend, and even after that, they need more support than one person can give, even if only one other person knows. One person needs to go above and beyond, giving somebody enough for themself, and their family. One person needs to take the place of up to dozens of people, all for one person, because they love that person, because they want that person to be safe with themselves and with others. People have needs, you just have to step up and provide them with those needs.

(A.N. // I'll have you know that I presented this thing in front of my entire second hour class, and I was not prepared at all. I actually said, "Oh this is probably horrible." several times during my speech. but the feedback I got back from my classmates was mostly positive, just that I needed to look up more (I was relying on my Doc because I, again, was unprepared.) I wore my rainbow flag scarf when I sat back down,and my teacher said I should have worn it during, but I was already nervous enough. 'Kay thanks. Imma go now, have fun, or whatever.)