Legislature targeting LGBTQ+ community
Instead of focusing on our state’s affordable housing crisis, our broken unemployment system, or helping those impacted by the ongoing pandemic, legislators are once again targeting the LGBTQ+ community in particular and diversity efforts in general.
Having served as a pastor for
10 years, I recognize the fundamentalism and intolerance behind these legislative efforts. The people who hold these ideologies have never accepted the progress of inclusion or the celebration of our various and intersecting identities. In a season where extreme conservatives are seeking to score political points, our diverse and marginalized communities have once again become the target of their efforts. They seek to erase our stories from classrooms. They are pushing back against the work that has been done to make our workplaces safe and welcoming for all of us.
As a gay parent of school-age children, I want every child to be able to see representation of their unique and beautiful family structure in their classroom environment. Our children need to hear stories in school that reflect their LGBTQ+ identities or those of their loved ones. Our LGBTQ+ students need to know that they are safe to be their full selves at school. Especially here in Central Florida, we need students to be free to learn about the violence of the Pulse tragedy and the support for the LGBTQ+ community that has emerged from that horrific event. We cannot allow legislation to prohibit honest conversations and the creation of these vital safe spaces at school.
Decades of effort to make our workplaces truly inclusive across differences of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status and other areas are also under attack. Too many of us know the daily challenges of navigating workplaces, coworkers or supervisors who still do not have the skills to welcome us as whole persons. We cannot allow legislation to create a hostile environment for diversity training, which would then create hostile work environments for diverse employees. Working with a broad coalition of LGBTQ+ serving organizations at One Orlando Alliance, I see the beauty of our community every day. Our Alliance is committed to transforming Central Florida into a community where all LGBTQ+ people can belong and thrive. So much work has already been done, and we are continuing that work every day. This legislative session is targeting not only our progress, but our very well-being and safety. When harmful legislation is passed at the state level, it sends the message to our community that we are not safe. It also empowers those who oppose inclusion to be more open in their personal opposition through harmful words and actions.
We need everyone to take action right now to defend the progress that we have all fought so hard to make. Call and write to your state legislators and the legislators who have sponsored these bills. Engage your friends and neighbors to use their voices as well. Join us at noon Feb. 26 in front of Orlando City Hall for the Rally for LGBTQ+ Rights. The Central Florida we all want to create depends on you raising your voice and joining us.