LGBTQI+ Rights

Everyone should be entitled to love who they want and embrace their identity, and yet 83% of LGBT people hide their sexual orientation, 350 transgender murders occurred in 2020, and LGBT youth are four times more likely to seriously consider suicide, plan suicide, and attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Despite advancements for the LGBT community, a few being the legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states and The Equality Act, there is still a lot of work to be done. While rights are important and protect LGBT people legally, they do not eliminate discrimination, and that is the root of the problem. For instance, The Equality Act is meant to protect LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, jury duty, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education. Yet, due to bias and stigma, LGBT youth are more likely to experience bullying and violence in schools, which can lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, mood disorders, and feeling it is unsafe to come out. These alarming facts make it clear that eliminating discrimination and LGBT stigma is the key to creating an inclusive space for all. That's no easy task but a worthwhile one all the same.