When love wins it’s ‘inviting, safe and thoughtful’

Duwand Constant / Contributing Writer

“Love is winning” was a concurrent theme when same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in late June. It was a triumphant day for those who were part of the LGBT community. I saw this day as a country moving forward.

The legalization of same sex marriage happened sooner than many expected. Many thought it would be another ten years at least before same-sex marriage was legalized. It was reported via the Washington post that people were mainly searching for arguments against same sex marriage up until 2008. Then in 2008, there began a decline in those against same sex marriage and an increase in those in favor of it.

So with gay marriage finally legalized, the masses would think the LGBT community has reached their ultimate goal but the LGBT community still has a lot more work to do in educating the masses and bridging more acceptance in the LGBT community. It’s amazing that a same-sex couple no longer has to travel halfway across the nation, or to another state, just to ensure the legalization of their union that is a blessing within itself.

We see the struggle of the acceptance of the LGBT community and same sex marriage in the recent arrest of Kentucky Marriage License Clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. Uproar grew as news of her arrests hit the airwaves and the media.

Those within the LGBT community seemed to be in favor of Davis’s arrest while those within religious and spiritual communities were opposed to it. Davis should have been fired but not arrested – afterall her job is to issue marriage licenses. Her arrest brings about a question about how truly accepting people are of same-sex marriage and the LGBT community.

A lot of those who may have opposing viewpoints towards same-sex marriage and the LGBT community may not have seen a huge variety of positive representations about that community. The same could be said for those of differing minority racial groups who may have certain instilled viewpoints about other racial groups.

As a black man in America, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from other racial groups, “You sound different from most black people because you talk proper.” Such statements as those has left me angry because they indicated that they believed most black people do not have a mastery of speaking with proper grammar. I’ve also heard the same in regards to my sexuality as to how “I don’t act like most gay guys.” It begs the question “What do most gay guys act like?” Statements such as those mentioned expose the type of ignorance some people may have regarding certain minority groups. It’s not their fault as they haven’t seen either enough positive or varying representations of those respective communities.

The greatest thing that is happening today is that we are seeing these diverse representations. What we are seeing is an understanding of coexisting with the two worlds. A world, where those who are a part of the LGBT community no longer have to feel scared, ashamed or threatened but can now be a part of a world that is inviting, safe and thoughtful to the needs of itself and those around it.

[image from Flickr, resized]