Problems Facing the LGBTQ Community

Story by De’Von Williams, Kya Uzzle and Makayla Johnson. Photos from https//: ACLU.com

Award-winning actor, Chris Colfer said, “There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.”

Recently, President Trump announced that he plans to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S military. That is unacceptable and illegal. A series of tweets from President Donald Trump on July 26, 2017 stated the following "After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military." "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

Transgender people are fighting against discrimination in employment, housing, and public places—including restrooms. The LGBT community was and still is one of the main targets of hate crimes in the United States. Issues that LGBT people face are even worse for people of color. And, the LGBT community has had a lot of problems with adopting children.   

Here are some facts about the term LGBT. LGBT is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. Some people also use the abbreviation LGBTQQ. The double ‘Q’ stands for queer and questioning. LGBT History Month originated in the US and was first celebrated in October of 1994. Rodney Wilson, a high-school history teacher at a Missouri high-school was the founder of LGBT month. Lesbian and gay couples were not allowed to marry until June 26, 2015, when gay or same-sex marriage was legalized in the United States.

The first national gay rights organization, the Mattachine Society was established in 1938 by Harry Hay. The first LGBT rights organization in the United States, the Daughters of Bilitis, was established in San Francisco in 1955. Although those are some older organizations, the ACLU is one of the organizations that defend the LGBT community.

We believe that LGBT people are just like everyone else and should be thought of the same way. For instance, many things people buy like the iPhone and all Apple products come from companies who employ people in the LGBT community. Tim Cook is a homosexual male and the CEO of Apple. So before you say I hate or dislike gay or homosexuals, think about what you use and buy.

We want to tell our LGBT brothers and sisters that just because you might like the same gender doesn't make you less important or different from anybody else. There is a lot of hate but don’t let it affect you. The best thing is to be you, no matter what other people say. You shouldn’t be judged on what you choose to do with your lives.

We strongly believe that all schools should allow students to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). You can show support for the LGBT community by asking your school to start a GSA. Stand up for those of the community if you see them being bullied in schools or harassed on the streets.

If you don’t take anything away from this, take this away: no matter your gender, sexuality or race, all people need to respect everyone for who they are.

Devon Williams, Kya Uzzle, and Makayla Johnson are 8th grade scholars at Friendship Tech Prep Academy.