Today I read an incredibly upsetting blog post on Guinevere’s Garden. It was about how “gay panic” has been seen as a valid reason for harming a person of the LGBT community. It is incredibly concerning that this law is legal in the majority of the States, and that there has been little done to protect the LGBT community. The article was about how New Jersey has recently banned this archaic law.
I do agree with Gwen that this is a milestone for the state of New Jersey who has just banned the use of “gay panic” as an acceptible defense for violent crimes. By looking at the article she cites, it is clear that only recently have the LGBT community begin to see their rights as American citizen being protected. The first time that the “gay panic” was banned was in 2014 in California, and currently only nine states have followed in California’s footsteps. The rise in the protection of LGBT rights are most likely due to the normalization of LGBT relationships after same sex marriage was legalized across the United States, and the globe.
It is strange for me to see how often people discriminate against the LGBT community since I have moved to a more conservative city. When I lived in a bigger city that was more progressive almost no one would bat an eye at someone who had a different sexuality than themselves. Even though Austin is considered a more hipster and progressive part of Texas, people are still more conservative when compared to the majority of the American population. Yesterday, I had passed an old man who was yelling at passerby’s about the evils of homosexuality. This blatantly rude display of hatred was absolutely fighting to see during the middle of the day. I cannot even begin to imagine the fear and pain that members of the LGBT community must feel when they live in places that do not protect them.
Gwen also discusses the LGBT bar, an LGBT legal nonprofit which has been at the forefront of overturning the “gay panic” laws. It is extremely uplifting to hear that there is work that is actively being done to protect a marginalized community. The article itself also mentions how the Democrats tried to pass a law pushing for equal rights for transgender and queer American Citizens, however, this reform was rejected by the Republican controlled Senet. It is clear that the people must push for change by electing officials who want a country that protects all of its citizens equally. Furthermore, with the major election coming up later this year America may be able to elect a candidate with more progressive reforms.
While I am not able to vote in the United States, I am still able to participate in political campaigns or volunteer for nonprofits. It is up to the people to push for the change that we want to see, and even if you are not a citizen you can still help by raising your voice and offering a helping hand to others.
Here is the link to the blog post and article:
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/n-j-bans-gay-transgender-panic-defenses-n1120416
Gemma: The New Girl in Town 