More Love for LGBTQ+ Community
More Love for LGBTQ+ Community
LYLLI DUONG Staff Writer
Even though California has many pro-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) laws, there are still many in the LGBTQ community that go through bullying and discrimination. Students that come out are often subject to discrimination and bullying because of their sexuality. They have been ostracized by society, especially in school and work environments for far too long. Schools should not let this go on any longer. Students, gay and straight alike, should join clubs that welcome everyone like the Gay Straight Alliance. Clubs like GSA act as a safe haven for children experiencing unfair treatment because of their sexual preferences. In addition, clubs can provide students with a place to meet others that share similar experiences and make friends that will accept them for who they are. Another way that could be helpful is if a friend of someone in the LGBTQ community talks to young people who are struggling with coming out about the bullying and help them cope. Talking to someone about events that are happening in their lives can make a big difference. There have been cases where LGBTQ people were avoided by or otherwise judged by their peers. LGBTQ members are still people. Some teenagers are known to harm themselves, but this is especially true for LGBTQ students. The main reason is because they came out, and then they were harassed and picked on by other students. The other students becomes bullies and start going after the student that is new in the LGBTQ community. The student could start feeling the pressure and realization of being different from the others around them and then start feeling depressed. People who are depressed are known to do things they would not normally do, like cut themselves. In the past and present, there are people who end up taking their lives by cutting themselves or even taking their own lives. There are, however, many inspirational stories about how a person was able to get over their bullies and the cruelty that life threw them. Those people come out stronger and spread the message to inspire more people to stay strong and to get through the struggles together, as one whole strong community. LGBTQ members should not be ostracized from other people just because they are different. Although there are laws protecting them, they do not always work. Anyone who is being bullied should seek help, but that is not the only solution to this problem. Everyone should be educated about bullying and get the facts about people in the LGBTQ community in order to prevent future instances of bullying before they even happen.