For years, LGBTQ+ pride rallies have been events of sanctuary; community events during which individuals across the spectrum come together to celebrate with each other the most fundamental thing in their lives: freedom. However, throughout the existence of pride rallies, there have been those who detest these individuals, sometimes going so far as to commit hate crimes. These people protest the celebration, claiming their own rights have been stunted. Although standing strong in the face of adversity, the LGBTQ+ community has been faced with multiple counts of hatred and hostility.
All due to their desire to live to the fullest, in a country that celebrates the very thing they are.
Pressure at rallies
The LGBTQ+ community faces several instances of adversity. For example,
During the Washington Pride Parade, anti-LGBT protesters disrupted the parade by causing a barricade. This article published by Blaster Michelle Guanzon explains just how serious of an issue this is for people in the LGBTQ+ community. The reason for the hate those in the LGBTQ+ community face from protestors is subject to opinion; protestors come from multiple racial and religious backgrounds. However, these individuals of the LGBTQ+ community are not following an ulterior agenda. Merely, they all want the same thing any of us do: love and acceptance.
Those in the LGBTQ+ community retain their right to feel welcome amongst their own. Pride rallies exist as a testament to diversity, the celebration of differences, without ridicule, judgment, or hostility. The fact that they face protestors who wish to smother their individuality, is equally a testament to how far the "country of freedom" has come in the past 100 years.
President Trump's views on the LGBTQ+ community
President Trump makes his views on the community very clear in this article by Blaster D.T. by essentially refusing to acknowledge pride in the month of June. Regardless of his views, there is a certain moral standpoint to hold up: freedom. The LGBTQ+ community has just as many rights as anyone else in the United States.
By refusing to acknowledge Pride month, President Trump is issuing an enormous amount of disrespect and insult to the LGBTQ+ community. It is as if he is telling the community that their rights don't matter, which is unacceptable in any situation. Donald Trump, as the presidential body of the US, should be upholding the country's regulations and celebrations. If every other holiday, such as Thanksgiving, is held in the utmost regard, why, then, is pride not?
The pictures in this article
The pictures depicted in this article were given to me by a personal and close long-term friend. This pride rally that they attended was very recent, just a couple of months ago. This type of intolerance is still going on in the LGBTQ+ community, and it needs to stop.
If people in the community want to have their beliefs, they should be allowed to, not have to fall under the pressure of people who disagree with the community. In life we as people always have disagreements, and differences of opinions. That, however, does not warrant this kind of behavior. We as a country, as a people, should be open and loving to everyone. Their race, creed, religion, gender identity or sexual preference should never have a factor in how they are treated. In short, the LGBTQ+ community is as worthy as the rest of us to enjoy our basic human rights: the freedom we have as individuals, our freedom of speech, and ultimately, the pursuit of happiness.