Everyone else is talking about it so why the hell not....

So everyone is up in arms about the suicides of many young teens in the LGBT community. This is nothing new. LGBT youth have had a higher rate of suicide since this statistic has been recorded. I am extremely happy that this is finally getting some press. The problem is that people are only looking at the small picture. Bullying is an issue, a large one, that should be addressed. What it is really though is a symptom of a bigger problem.

We live in a country that, everyday, tells LGBT people that they are second class citizens,both implicitly and explicitly. People telling the community that they don't hate us, they are just trying to "protect their children" from things they view as immoral. And this is a nationally supported idea. That it is okay to be a bigot if its to "protect your children" or to practice your religion. There are several things wrong with this. For one, saying you are protecting your children implies that people in the LGBT community are something to be feared, monsters or dangers to society. This is wrong and we need to stop makinng it an acceptable thing to say. It is also incorrect to use God as a cover for your bigotry. Yes the bible does say that homosexuality is a sin. That effects nothing. LGBT people are still citizens of the united states,they can still love,and shockingly enough GOD LOVES THEM. I know its hard to hear that God can love people you consider to be sinners in the same way he loves you (and you never sin right?) but it is the truth.

We, as a nation,MUST stop making it okay to talk about a group of human beings this way. We need to stop having this debate even be necessary. The fact that on 2010 in America we have to debate what should be a basic human right. We need to stop being afriad of what we do not understand. And we definitely need to spread education and awareness to our children, not hate. These bullies were not born hating or being bullies someone taught them that this was okay, and I think as a nation were responsible for that because we tell theses kids everyday its okay to hate,because what else are they seeing from us?

We got to get our shit together kids....lets get this shit done.