Critical Reflection on Social Justice Event

     
      On Wednesday, November 14th I had attended the LGBTQ Thanksgiving in the Donovan Dining Center. Many shared stories and discussed unique challenges for LGBTQ+. People and their families that arise inn the forms of microaggressions and homo/transphobia and coping strategies for dealing with family dynamics in this political environment.

       Some of the stories and strategies that I'll be sharing, I will not give out names of the people who shared.  Some that did come to this event had not shared with their families their sexuality's because they are scared their families will reject them. One women who is a senior at RIC stated "to remind yourself that you are not alone. The problem is not with you but the homophobic family relative that doesn't understand you. To also remain hopeful that the family relative who is homophobic will change their attitude will change after your relative has had some time to adjust and get use too the out-of-the-closet you." Many other adults and teenagers in the room stated to stand up for yourself and to be honest. To also try to help individuals see that stereotypes aren't always accurate. Many people also tried to give helpful tips to everyone in the room no matter if you were LGTBQ+ or straight. One student stated, "everyone should remain calm and patient, also to remind yourself that homophobia is based on a lack of knowledge on the topic. Many relatives are only repeating stereotypes and opinions that they have been exposed to in their environment. But most importantly to be realistic and realize that everyone is different and nobody is considered to be perfect. To love and accept people for who they truly are no matter what their sexuality is."

          Many shared eye-opening stories on how some of their families or family members were ashamed for who they are. Some said how their families truly didn't care what their daughter or sons sexual orientation was, if they were truly happy with who they were becoming as a person was all that truly mattered to them. In today's generation there are so many people that are open to being gay, bisexual, etc... that some people are stuck in the past thinking that there is something truly wrong with these people. Some believe that there shouldn't be a gay marriage and to only have a marriage that would be considered traditional. People today need to realize and learn that times are changing and anybody can love anybody no matter if that's a girl loving a guy or two guys loving each other or two girls loving each other, as long as those two individuals are happy that's all that truly matters. There are bigger situations in this world to worry about instead of worrying about other people's sexual orientation that has nothing to do with you.