It is no secret that the LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination and constant downgrading in all parts of the world.
Some cases escalate to physical assault and even murder due to their identity, issues we often hear but with no actions taken to prevent it from happening again.
To be part of this constantly shunned community, Silver, a 19-year-old bisexual, emphasizes the importance of Pride Month as part of the celebration of their existence in the society, but most importantly, their freedom.
Most of you may know, but for the knowledge of others, there is a big difference between sexual orientation and identity.
Sexual orientation refers to whom one has romantic feelings with. We can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, and others. Identity, on the other hand, is how we identify ourselves regardless of sexual orientation and our natural gender parts- like how one identifies themselves as transgender, cisgender, male or female.
To this day, it continues to be a challenge for the community to be accepted in their preferred identities.
The introduction of SOGIE bill plays a key role in the sought after protection of the community, however there are various misconceptions about this controversial bill as well.
For one, many assume that the enactment of the bill will put the LGBTQ+ community above those with straight, heterosexual preference. This sparked arguments between two sides, one that has not yet been cleared due to false interpretation of the bill.
Another misconception to address is the pretense of pedophilia, necrophilia, and to some extent bestiality as a sexual preference which might be covered in the bill. This misconception is not by any means true! In fact, these are crimes punishable by law.
Homophobia should be a thing of the past. One should not put a threshold on how one wishes to act according to preference. After all, others DO NOT and WILL NOT define our own identity.
Individuals have been suppressed in flapping their wings to fly. Some were being held down by their very own bloodline. Many still blabber in disgust when one is vocal about their identity. All they ask is to be accepted wholeheartedly without facing judgment and stigma from others.
With all the movements to seek equality, to this day, people are still reluctant to come into terms with the reality that love is for all, regardless of one’s identity. Love does not choose, it only waits for acceptance.
Pride month is not just a mere event of today, but it is a movement to show the world that it isn’t limited only to blues and pinks, but all the seven spectrum of colors. Be gay, and be proud!
Show off your colors, raise your flags, and cheers to never ending love! Embrace your pride with love!
