The Right to Love
There are many topics and controversies when it comes to the LGTBQ+ community. In case no one knows who they are, it is those who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, queer, or other. As this issue has arisen more in the past, it is a topic that everyone should become aware of. Many people do not believe in a different sexuality, or more than one way of identifying gender, which is why the equality of the LGTBQ+ has become an issue. This set of beliefs goes so far as to cause acts of discrimination, because some in the LGBTQ+ community are excluded from stores, clubs, businesses, and public single-sex bathrooms. While many people do not believe in the LGBTQ+ community, or they do not believe that it is how the world works, the community should be treated the same as anybody else. They are human and should be allowed to be comfortable within an environment and themselves. Their identity does not cause harm.
“LGBTQ+ people could not rely on federal civil rights laws to protect them against discrimination” (Hecht-McGowan). When Donald Trump was in office for four years, the LGBTQ+ community did not feel safe because of all the discrimination and laws intended to be passed against same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ+ equality issues. This changed when Joe Biden took office in January 2021. Many rules were being lifted, such as the bans on transgender people in the military and same-sex marriages. The reversal of discrimination laws is in the works now that Biden is in office, because he is working on protection for the whole country, rather than protection just for the non-LGBTQ community. This goes as far as all the rights a human would have. During Trump’s presidency, the community did not feel safe, because discriminatory actions against LGBTQ+ people were considered acceptable. They felt like they did not belong, or they were not “human” because it did not follow someone else’s morals, the Bible, or “how” the world is supposed to be. As mentioned previously, when Biden was put into office, people noticed the change, reversing the damage the community has received within the past four to five years.
Back in 2016, a tragic event happened at the Pulse nightclub, a gay bar in Orlando, Florida. A mass shooting resulted in the death of 49 people with 53+ wounded. Since this was a gay bar, it seemed like Omar Mateen, the suspect, was against same-sex ideas, couples, or the LGBTQ community. As a result of this event, a movement was created to support the families who lost their loved ones and to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community. “Bars and nightclubs have also provided safe spaces for LGBTQ+ communities. Both personally and politically, freely expressing one’s identity” (Corey). This supports the fact that after the mass shooting, bars and nightclubs of all kinds created their environments as safe places for all genders and sexualities. This allows an individual to feel safe and comfortable within themselves, no matter where they are at. This is something that the community is afraid of because of the inequality and discrimination that takes place. Not that they cannot trust businesses or public places, but because they identify as LGBTQ, they do not feel like they have as much freedom or protection at certain places they go to.
Both sources mention that “Love is love.” This goes for same-sex marriages and couples. The problem is that many people in the LGBTQ+ community cannot receive the same respect from those who respect opposite-gender marriage or couples, because they find it “weird.” Not being straight is out of the line of some religions, beliefs, morals, etc. Since they are human, why can’t the LGBTQ+ community be treated the same as everyone else? Some states have legalized same-sex marriage, which was another controversy for many people. They believed that the whole country should legalize this because it will give them the safety and support their decisions, not because they need the law.
“Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (2012)
“Same Love” speaks about how everyone is only human, and love is love, no matter what gender or sexuality. At the beginning of the song, Macklemore says, “In the third grade, I thought that I was gay,” then continues to explain how he went through denial and could not figure out his sexuality; he was confused. Then in the chorus explains, “I can’t change, even if I tried,” simply stating, that even if the person wanted to change who they are, they can not because that is who they grew to be, and they are trying to accept themselves for who they are. This was also released as an anthem supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage.
“I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross (1980)
Although Diana Ross sang this song, Nile Rogers and Bernard Edward wrote and produced this song from the influence of Rogers coming out as being gay. This song has become an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community because of the main words “I’m coming out,” which refers to someone disclosing their sexual orientation. “I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I want to let it show” was one of the main points of the song, which shows that whoever is coming out, they are proud of who they are since they want “the world” to know. A lot of people have that fear, holding back due to their sexuality, so the song is something that people can feel proud of for their community and themselves.
“Girls Like Girls” by Hayley Kiyoko (2015)
As mentioned before about this issue, a lot of people feel uncomfortable sharing their sexuality, and the world dominantly believes that boys should like girls and girls should like boys. In the song, it says, “girls like girls like boys do,” explaining that girls have feelings, too, towards one another rather than the opposite sex. Girls like girls, just the way boys do. There is no difference when it is a female liking the same sex. Hayley Kiyoko was not yet out about her sexuality due to the fear of discrimination, but the song allowed her to overcome her fears step by step and come out about liking females.
“Battle Cry” by Angel Haze ft. Sia (2013)
Angel Haze and Sia performed this song to send a message with love and comfort for those who are going through challenges every day with their family or those around them. Not necessarily is this song only for the LGBTQ+ community, but for everyone, because it speaks about the challenges people face, that keep dragging them down. The message they are trying to portray is, that no matter what the person is going through, they are the key to their own healing. This song was inspired by Angel Haze’s experiences and the challenges she has faced as she is pansexual and gender-fluid.
“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga (2011)
Lady Gaga is a gay rights activist, and shared this song with the public about homosexual relationships and God. A lot of people in the world do not believe that LGBTQ+ relationships are normal, and that God did not create humankind to be attracted to the same gender. Gaga sings, “A different lover is not a sin,” which points to people believing it to be a crime against God and their religion. Gaga shows that this is not the case, and love is love no matter what gender, sexuality, or race.
“Everyone Is Gay” by A Great Big World (2014)
“Everyone Is Gay” was created for the everyoneisgay.com website, which was created to give support and advice to those who are afraid of being open about their sexuality and are bullied for it. A Great Big World was asked to create this song for the website, providing lyrics that new LGBTQ+ community members can relate to, helping them cope. The song correlates with support, because they sing about the person being strong and unique for who they are, as well as still providing support for those who identify as straight. As mentioned before, a lot of people do not receive the support they wish to and may feel ashamed for not being attracted to the opposite gender. The website and the song together allow them to share, grow, heal, and be in their own comfort zone.
“Take Your Mama” by Scissor Sisters (2004)
Even parents can have a hard time hearing the news about their child being gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, transgender, etc., because they did not expect their child to grow up with a different sexuality. It most likely was not something they talked about in their day. Jake Shears was very close to his mother, but once he came out as gay to her, she was not too happy and did not know how to react. This explains the line in the song, “That all she’d wanna do is cry,” because Shear’s mother did not believe in homosexuality and said it was “a death sentence.” It basically shows that as a grown man, it is okay for him to do what he wants with his life, even if his parents do not approve. He must keep moving on.
“This Is Me” by The Greatest Showman Cast (2017)
This song was performed in the movie The Greatest Showman, which spoke about the issue of society not accepting someone for being an “outcast,” like Annie Jones Elliot, a bearded lady, or Benj Pasek, who was gay and hid in the closet as a teenager. People who are different, or think they are different in a way they believe will not be accepted by society, have a fight song in “This Is Me.” It goes to the roots of being proud of who you are. Although they have struggled and have “bruises” from the hurtful words and experiences, they should not be sorry for who they are.
I feel like the issue with the LGBTQ+ community is a huge subject. It opens into many different topics, such as religion, God, community, belonging, and suicide to name a few. This issue matters to me because I am growing up in a world where having a sexuality other than straight is being accepted. To emphasize how this is becoming normalized in society, I have friends and family who identify themselves with the community. I do not believe that loving the same sex, transitioning to the opposite gender, not having a sexuality, not identifying as a female or male, and other forms of orientation are a sin. The person is who they are, and they should not have to be ashamed for it. They were created with the same limbs, organs, and heart. They are human, and no human should be treated differently just because of their sexual orientation.
Obviously, people have a choice and opinions on this topic, but does it mean that they are permitted to treat opposing viewpoints with disrespect? I do not think so. I believe if people took a seat and took time to think about how people in the LGBTQ+ community feel with the harsh treatment, discrimination, and unaccepting society they live in, maybe they would get an idea about how it feels. They will not understand, because they are not living in their shoes, but at the very least, being respectful may help with this issue. People can riot and protest, but this will probably not change the world — we have seen it before. Even if people do not approve, they should accept the LGBTQ+ community for who they are and move on with their own lives. Love is not a privilege for some, it is a right for all.
- Corey, Amy M. “Love is love is love is love: From flaktivism to consumer activism in LGBTQ+ communities.” Queer Studies in Media & Pop Culture, vol. 4, no. 2, 2019, p. 117+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A605476609/AONE?u=mcc_chandler&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=4bce63d6. Accessed 21 June 2021.
- Hecht-McGowan, Emily. “Reversing the Damage Done to LGBTQ+ Rights and Equality.” Human Rights, vol. 46, no. 3, 2020, p. 8. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A655942167/AONE?u=mcc_chandler&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=9abac68d. Accessed 19 June 2021.
