In June of 2015, the queer community rejoiced as we gained the constitutional right of marriage equality. People screamed and cheered in the streets, kissing their significant others without fear of judgement because, finally, we were all equal. For one brilliant moment, the fight seemed over. For that second, ignorance truly was bliss.
June 12, 2016. The worst massacre in modern United States history takes place in Orlando, FL. The shooting is nothing less than a hate crime against the LGBT+ community, taking place at one of the most popular gay bars in the area, Pulse. The people who one year previously had been celebrating are now hiding away, texting friends and partners frantically to make sure they are safe. The community that had been filled with pride and joy nearly one year ago now feel nothing but fear and hatred.
Never has there been such a clear reminder that we are not equal at all.
In the year since the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obergefell v Hodges, LGBT+ people have seen as much hatred and dehumanization as ever. In 2016 alone, more than 200 anti-LGBT+ bills have been introduced. These range from “freedom of religion” laws that allow people to discriminate against gay couples and refuse them service, to transgender bathroom laws which are currently spreading throughout the nation.
Perhaps the most shocking, and least publicized, example of this LGBT+ abhorrence took place in November of 2015. An event in De Moines, IA, coined the National Religious Liberties Conference, also known as Freedom 2015, led at least 4 different workshops on the issue of marriage equality and “homosexuals”. These workshops were rivaled by equally appalling options, such as “Child Protective Services: One of the Greatest Threats to your Religious Freedom” and “ The Decline of Freedom: From the Bill of Rights to the Ten Planks of Communism, America’s Domestic Enemies and Where They Came From”.
More than 1,700 people attended this event to take part in workshops and hear speakers on the topics above. This is all startling enough to have earned some media attention, but the worst is yet to come.
The Freedom Conference website states that, “The presidential candidates need to hear from us,” so they will have the opportunity to speak on their persecution as Christians and their fears about losing their freedom of religion (this in itself is a laughable statement, but I digress). They sent invitations to 14 individuals who were running at the time, and three responded with a glowing “yes”. Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, and Mike Huckabee all spoke on Friday, November 6, to this group of fearful Christians (once again, it’s hard to refrain from laughing at the phrase). Moments before they got onstage, keynote speaker Kevin Swanson had some frightening things to say about the LGBT+ community. A video of his speech can be found here, but one key quotes show the highlights of what he had to say:
“Yes, Leviticus 20:13 calls for the death penalty for homosexuals. Yes, Romans chapter 1 verse 32, the apostle Paul does say that homosexuals are worthy of death. His words, not mine! … I am not ashamed of the truth of the word of God, and I am willing to go to jail for it.”
None of the presidential candidates said a word or batted an eye at this call for the murder of gay people. These are people who are trying to run the country and they have nothing to say about a call to arms against the LGBT+ community. And, the kicker, this isn't even considered newsworthy information.
It's been one year since the queer community rejoiced our right to marry. For one moment, some of us believed the battle was won and that we were safe. The year since then has taught us better. We know the danger of being ourselves, we see it everyday. Even when we don't see it, we can feel the stares lingering on our nontraditional gender expression and our hand-holding. We may have marriage equality, but the fight for true equality has only just begun.
Brothers, sisters, siblings of all genders, bring your anger, your pain, your weapons. Our lives and rights are worth fighting for.
