coniaz

[coniaz]

A rejection of movement: my story with the lgbtq+ community

Hello, I’m an LGBT youth, and I would like to discuss my experiences that include this community, and my current views on it.

Im not going to deny the fact that there are lots of amazing people who are part of this community, and some of my greatest friends, (along with the person who has helped me get my job as a lighting technician) have come from this very community, and I love them with all of my heart...unfortunately, that’s where all the good stuff ends

Within my experience with this community, i have faced backlash and have seen the true colours of those who have been a part of this group for some time. I never grew up in a household where views were forced onto me. Instead, I gained knowledge of different kinds of religions, lifestyles, etc. Along with this, a basic understanding, and an even bigger understanding of my own country’s history while doing research on it myself since it piqued my interest. This allowed me to form my own views, unique to me. This is where the trouble starts. My first time at pride was spectacular, and I was interviewed by an lgbtq+ organisation member who was doing reports on lgbt youth. He started to ask me how I realised I was the way I was, and how I discovered my sexuality, and when I “came out of the closet”. My response was that it was something that naturally developed, and because of my beliefs in people liking whoever they want, i do the same thing. I then told him that it is a sexual thing, and that the term sexually refers to the person’s sex, their genetalia. Yes, personality is important, but sexual attraction is something that built up basic civilisations and their views on sex, even hundreds of thousands of years ago. I proceeded onto my story on how I came out of the closet...which there really isn’t one. I just brought home and introduced whatever partner I had at the time. There was no “hey, mom, dad, I’m gay” type thing. They never cared. And that’s how I believed it should be, you don’t announce your sexuality, just do what you want, date who you want. He didn’t seem to like my answer, as I believe he was expecting something bigger. He thanked me, and left. While I thought this would be the only scenario, this was not the case.

I started getting involved with my town after I started walking around with friends post shows (I work at a theatre, remember?) I saw a lgbtq+ Center, and I thought “what the hell, they have food”. So I went inside, met some people, and we talked about how we felt about our sexualities. I talked about the same thing I talked to the interviewer at Pride. Some people in the group were very interested in what I was saying, and said that I was good for not making it a big deal, as my sexuality is a part of me just like anything else that’s a part of me. This didn’t go well with the rest of the group though. One of the women there said “well good for you, some of us don’t have that luxury”. I questioned her, and simply asked her to elaborate and explain why anyone can’t acknowledge their sexuality as a part of them if that’s what it really is. After this, she got up from her chair and started yelling at me. The others calmed her down, and then they switched the topic to what lgbt+ really means. They said that it really is a way to spread equality and acceptance of diversity. Once this was said, I questioned again with “if its promoting diversity, then shouldn’t the people part of the community be open to diverse opinions brought up by the members of the community?” They flared at me, and I was asked to leave. Those who were interested in my views left with me. We decided we would like to see how much of the community is like this...but as the summer continued, we’d soon see that there’s an abundance.

Pride road trip: my friends and I decide we’re gonna attend pride in several different states, and we’re all gonna drive there. We all had SUV’s and trucks. I was driving my current partner, and friends from school + my coworkers (I had a big suv my uncle gave to me once he bought his tesla). Our first stop was Oregon. Portland Pride was interesting, and was a perfect chance to see who was just like those at the wellness Center. So my cowerkwr and I set up a table and decided we’d discuss with other people. We eventually got a crowd of people, and they wanted me to talk. I went on to discuss my views, and by the time I was finished, I had people starting to tell me to shut up, or threaten to hit me, saying I was “betraying” the community. As we continued our road trip, this happened more and more. New York was the worst one though. Our table was destroyed, and I was almost pepper sprayed by a drag queen. On our way back, we decided to hit up San Francisco one more time since their pride was going on. We grabbed what was left of our table, fixed it (I always have my toolbox in my suv) and set it up. SAN Francisco was full of conflicting and diverse opinions, which makes Ohio, California, Texas, Indiana, Wyoming, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, and Georgia the states where we encountered those diverse opinions. However...this was just the one summer. We wanted to see what would happen at an lgbt ralley...

Ralley in LA: We made signs, saying we were so called “betrayers” of the lgbt community. And almost 80% of the people we encountered (which was a LOT) said that they agreed. Not even halfway into the event, my sign was taken away by a mid 20’s individual, and I had to call security. When I got my sign back, he said my parents should’ve disowned me, because people like me are the real ones who deserve to be mistreated.

All of this brings me to my thoughts. On the matter. I turn 18 in a few days, and it’s been a bumpy past 3 years. But here’s my final thoughts. The lgbt community is wonderful, in terms of the people that are in it...some of them. But most of them are tricked into this mindset, of having it only one specific way that Is spoon fed to them in the form of corrupt publicity and false media (I know, I sound like I just took a red pill). But in reality, from someone who doesn’t identify with a specific party, that is what’s going on. It can technically be called brainwashing, and I believe it is what’s tearing this country apart. It isn’t those who don’t support the community period, it’s those in the community who are brainwashed into thinking that it should only be one way, instead of being open to new ideas and new thoughts, and actually paying attention to what a person says instead of acting out emotionally. And, in the end, what I believe in is that you don’t have to identify with a community to stand up for what you believe in. I don’t believe in taking part in pride anymore, because the people who attend those parades are those who have been pretty much brainwashed by (and I hate to point fingers) a political party that, and if you have a basic understanding of US history, has never helped any minority period. They started not only slavery, but never before the 2010’s stood up for lgbt rights. Then when that time hits, they swoop in, and take credit for everything. They didn’t do shit. The people who fought for rights years ago to hold these rallies now and speak freely for what they believe in like I did are who we should really be celebrating. Not a corrupt political party who’s only current job is not to promote democracy, but to promote a one way of thinking type world. That’s not democracy, that’s the government trying to take away free thinking and a freedom of speech that was given to every person, regardless of race, sex, height, sexuality, etc.

So now, I have shared my point of view. If you have a conflicting one, that’s great! You are directly acknowledging and doing what the lgbtq+ community and any human right community wants you to do. To be open and diverse, and be able to listen to those opinions and views that are different than yours.

Well, that’s enough of me, let me know what you think.

-CONIAZ