How much does the average voter know about sexual orientation or gender identification? Do they know that they are not the same thing? Do they know that it is not a personal choice or a "lifestyle"? Do they understand that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide this year and that 1 in 5 transgender and non-binary youth attempted to end their lives. Let's be clear. LGBTQ youth are not prone to suicide because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but because of the way they are mistreated and ostracized in society.
Why? Why do we bully people just because we don't understand?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a bully as "a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable". I think the statistics from the Trevor Project above, demonstrate just how vulnerable LGBTQ kids feel.
To put it as simply as possible, being transgender means that you are morbidly unhappy in your own skin. Every fiber of your being feels like the gender you were NOT assigned at birth. They are in a constant state of unease.
How are we diminished by simply accepting other people for who they are? The answer is we aren't. Just that simple.
But ask yourself the question in reverse. How are we enhanced by accepting and loving people for who they are? We have helped to put a person at ease. We have made them feel welcomed and loved. We have made a friend perhaps. We have broadened our understanding. We have made a hard life easier. We may have saved a life. We have chosen love over fear. We have become above average.
Winston Churchill said that the best argument against democracy was a five minute conversation with the average voter. I challenge each of you to choose to be above average. Aren't we tired of the hate? I know I am.
Let's make sure the people we elect in Washington County are above average.
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