Much Progress To Be Made On LGBTQIA+ Rights

     The United States of America is a nation that is generally regarded as a progressive one among more backward peoples in different parts of the world. However, in many areas regarding social justice, the USA falls behind dozens of other countries. Nowhere, ironically for a nation that should be represented by a rainbow, is this more apparent than the issue of LGBTQIA+ rights.

     In the courtrooms, people are allowed to claim that they committed assault or murder ssimply because the sexual orientation of their victim drove them temporarily insane.

     In the military, gay people are discriminated against and transgender people are banned from serving their country.

     In schools and churches, children are taught to hate themselves and are not taught how to lead safe and healthy lives when they become adults.

     In adoption agencies, homosexual people unable to have children of their own are turned away under the guise of religious freedom, despite the fact that the Constitution explicitly states that the use of the provisions we call the Bill of Rights for hate is not protected. 

     On the streets, homelessness, drug abuse, and suicide in this community are several times higher than the already-high rate in the United States.

     In the areas of housing and medical care, access can still be denied to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Only 2 months ago did the Supreme Court rule discrimination in employment was illegal. In everday businesses like bakeries, even, people still face discrimination for who they love. 

     There is much progress to be made on LGBTQIA+ rights, but there is hope. The movement is much stronger than ever before, and the generation of hate is dying off. If we keep making noise, we will live in a world where those who do not believe that LOVE IS LOVE are reviled as hateful exceptions to the society in which they live.