When dealing and talking about issues that make you uncomfortable, people always tend to stay away from them or try to avoid the issue. For people that have never dealt with topics like this, they tend to stray away from them. In other words people fell their comfort zones are being invaded and clam up. Its not easy for someone that is not used to talking openly about these subjects that tend to be put in the back burner for no apparent reasons. But when is the right time for these issues to be talked about? Changes need to be made and society should lend an open ear to learn from this. A quote from Mark Nepo: " If I dare to hear you I well feel you like the sun and grow in your direction." This is all we have to do, just dare to hear and that is all. But not everyone feels the need to hear. Society is so slow to hear that by the time they pay attention everything has pass. How can we make adjustments and prevail in making things right not just for the ones that think they rule this world but for every single individual that deserves to be treated with respect and dignity?
In the movie "A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Arauju Story" we are faced with a little boy growing up and force to be someone that he really was not. Trying to fit in this world's depiction of gender definitions of male and female. Strong and heavy issues surrounding the families as they are face with with acceptance and refusal that this young man was demonstrating growing up. Family acceptance was not really an issue here but male understanding sure was. As more and more families face backlash from other family members the burden is place on them to try to make all families understand and at the same time show respect to the decisions taking place. It is easier for understanding among families that barriers tend to fall smoother that when society takes place. nevertheless the outcome should be respected and embraced not just by the family but the whole communities that are involved with the understanding that all human beings should be treated respectfully and with dignity.
After his friends try to find out if he was really a born male in the movie, thoughts came to my mind as to why this issue. They were happy and playful together. This proved that they did not care for his sexuality and treated him like one of their friends, no if or buts. This also brought back a memory about little children playing together with their friend not worrying about the color of their skin and also whether they be a boy or a girl. There was no difference in their eyes when playing with all of them. Why cant we learn from children and be like them?
It's sad as how two deaths don't bring out the same response in the media. Equality plays a big role even when it comes to dealing with death. Miss Heidenreick states that unlike the death of Matthew Shepard , Gwen's death attracted very little media attention. Why is media so likely to cover stories
involving whites than colored? Does all this have to do with ratings? Progress seems to be taking very slow paces when it involves the LGBTQIA community. Gwen's death came with a price and it showed that when family members speak, the whole world has to stop and listen. It's hard for a family to lose a member and still be treated with no respect. What can we learn from Gwen's death? Activism on the part of transgender people is needed and the commitment and action of her family. White trans-activists are among the most visible advocates for transgender rights and thanks to them for pushing to make Gwen's murder public and for demanding justice.
Understanding and treating people with respect and dignity is what we need to know. There will always be treatment of minorities as being inferior and less capable of doing thing right. It is not gender or our sexuality that makes us who we are but the person inside willing to treat others as we would like to be treated. Not just another statistic or label but as a human being that deserves to be treated fairly with respect and dignity. That we will grow into a more acceptable society with communities willing to accept and defend its citizens without criticizing them.
1. Be a listener.
2. Be open-minded.
3. Be willing to talk.
4. Be inclusive and invite LGBTQIA friends to hang out with your friends and family.
5. Don't assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
6. Homophobic comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends,family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
7. Confront your own prejudices and homophobia, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
8. Defend your LGBTQIA friends against discrimination.
9. Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.
10. If you see LGBTQIA people being misrepresented in the media, contact the Gay & Lesbian alliance Against Defamation at glaad.org
Sources:
Holland, Agnieszka, director. A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story. Lifetime Television, 2006.
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