Canada’s LGBTQ+ community versus conservatives

The year 2020 may just be one we will see more decisive action on eliminating discrimination, a daunting task and a long-term project. Our intentions are wellmeaning and many of us in the LGBTQ+ community are solidly involved in working towards some sort of end result. The fact that discrimination has been a problem for centuries strongly indicates that to rid the world of this horrendous problem may well take us into future centuries. We work diligently to rectify the constant hurt and the ongoing stories of abuse, the attacks and killings around the globe against the LGBTQ+ citizens everywhere. Of course, we may be discouraged as we go along, but we must, above all, be patient. The progress is slow, and at times seems to stall. A barrage of news items that are discriminatory in content constantly stare us in the face. Some churches are determined to see the LGBTQ+ community pushed aside and pretend they don't exist, therefore denying equality, which is a human right. Many support gay-conversion therapy because of religious teachings. So conservatism continues on the path of division, seeking to alienate, separate and condemn same-sex love. Why is the obsession in the conservative right-wing part of our world society so filled with hate and intolerant actions? Why is embrace denied and not freely given? LGBTQ+ citizens are equal to all others. Family units develop, children with nowhere to go are embraced through adoption and receive love. We go to work, attend the same schools, shop, speak our minds and so many more ways indicate we are all the same somehow. This world and its inhabitants have so much to learn, to accept and to embrace those who are perhaps a little different, to respect the love that develops between two human beings and hopefully to teach that our sexual orientation, gender equality, transgender identity and expressions matter, in spite of conservative thinking. Why not place energy on embracing instead of emphasizing the differences? If we are serious about making peace, live side by side as neighbours, accept our differences regardless of origin, then we may be proud of our position as equality lovers. This may just be the year that brings us more joy and love among people of all backgrounds. We may be grabbing at straws, have unrealistic ideas of how to move forward and what to expect. Yet, if we do not work in a positive manner, with promising end results, our efforts are worthless to a great degree. Our LGBTQ+ citizens around the world have endured much suffering in many ways. Unspeakable consequences through beatings, slurs, murders and many other attacks occur. Some religious teachings are squarely responsible for much of the discontent because of negativity, resulting in those who take the anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes to the extreme. In order to combat this we must take action, but only positive action, void of hate and discrimination. We cannot fight fire with fire as the end result will not be to our liking. To achieve some success we must, above all, rise to the occasion and become teachers — teachers of equality, teachers of love and teachers of inclusion. A great way is to attempt to infiltrate our schools, our churches, synagogues, the workplace and playgrounds. At times our medical care suffers as some doctors, nurses and other first responders have been non-supportive. Religious teachings forbid same-sex love, so that our teachers, parents, grandparents, clergy and others have historically been exposed to hate. Unless we organize, unless we unify and unless we take on the task with love and embrace, we will surely not realize the positive end result we seek. So many have been exposed to discrimination and hate for LGBTQ+ citizens for decades. Discrimination rears its ugly head continually and is on the increase as more LGBTQ+ folks reveal themselves. The teachings must continue.