As many people know, June is LGBT+ Pride Month. While people are celebrating their pride, taking the opportunity to be open about themselves, and spreading awareness of issues that the community faces, many others can't help but wonder, "Why is there no Straight Pride Month?"
One reason why Straight Pride Month doesn't exist is because being straight is not something that society as a whole looks down upon. It's not perceived as unnatural, wrong, or something that needs to be cured. Being straight is presented as normal in American entertainment and media. In fact, one could turn on the T.V. and find a plethora of well written, non-stereotypical heterosexual characters in any show. The same is not true for members of the LGBT+ community. The few LGBT+ characters that do exist in our entertainment are characters that are written stereotypically, and whose stories are all centered around their sexuality. In entertainment, the characters that function as LGBT+ representation are nearly identical . While there is a disappointing lack of variety in LGBT+ characters, or lack of LGBT+ characters in general, if we're being honest, there is no major harm coming from this issue.
A huge reason why there is no Straight Pride Month is heterosexuality has never been something that could cost you your life. Being straight was never, and still isn't, a crime in any country. Homosexuality is still illegal in seventy-five countries, five of which still believe death is an appropriate punishment for love. Heterosexual marriage was never outlawed. Same sex marriage was just legalized in America less than a year ago, yet many couples are still denied their marriage certificates. In other countries, same sex marriage may never be legal. Many forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation are still legal, even in America. Being in the LGBT+ community means that in many states you can be fired from your job, evicted from your apartment, and refused emergency medical services. This discrimination is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to challenges members of the LGBT+ community face, and each example is a reason Straight Pride Month is unnecessary.
A common argument for Straight Pride Month is if we want equality, isn't it fair to have a Straight Pride Month? Well, no. If straight people experienced the struggles that LGBT+ people face, then it would be fair to have a Straight Pride Month. Furthermore, what we as a community, country, and society should be fighting for is not equality but equity. Equity is what levels the playing field and allows groups that face discrimination the same opportunities as groups that do not face discrimination.
Straight people aren't getting kicked out of their homes for being straight. Straight people aren't rejected by family and friends for being straight. Straight people don't have to fear for their safety because they are straight. Straight people aren't losing their jobs when employers discover they're straight. All of these things are happening to LGBT+ people because they are LGBT+. To me, pride means standing strong in the face of criticism and discrimination. It means remaining fearless in a society that works to ensure your failure. It means being who you are and finding acceptance, and loving those who need the same acceptance, as well as loving those who refuse to offer you acceptance. Pride Month is not about celebrating being LGBT+, it's about living without persecution and spreading awareness of injustices done to members of the community. Keep this in mind the next time you wonder why there is no Straight Pride Month, and be thankful that you don't need one.
