We are family..

Each day I wake up and am amazed by the unity of the gay and straight community, nation-wide, even globally. People truly are reaching out and educating, linking arms, and becoming visible. In the aftermath of the passing of Proposition 8, I have done a lot of thinking about the recognition of gay marriage and what it means to families... a commonality between both the opponents and supporters of 8.

Family: Family denotes a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, and co-residence .(Webster.com)

Family is something that is important in nearly everyone's life. Though it may not always be blood-related family, people create families of their own. Too often, GLBT youth and adults find that their sexuality separates them from their family. Parents disown their children, brothers and sisters feel they cannot relate, grandparents find no way to be supportive, and members of the GLBT community become isolated from their very foundation. I have done some research and these statistics are appalling:

Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

In one study, 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents/guardians were told they must leave home

Homeless LGBT youth are more likely to: use drugs, participate in sex work, and attempt suicide

LGBT youth report they are threatened, belittled and abused at shelters by staff as well as other residents

And alarmingly:
There are no city-, county- or state-funded initiatives targeted at specifically helping LGBT homeless youth.
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Those are a small portion of the many disturbing statistics and facts I have found. A very small portion.

So - you may ask, what does this have to do with Prop 8 and gay marriage?

Prop 8 may be directly worded to legalize gay marriage, but for the gay community it does a lot more than that. Not only is it legal recognition of our love and relationships, it removes our second-class citizenship and makes us completely equal with every other person in our state. This is something we have yet to become and we remain separate and unequal.

Our current legal state sets the precedent for many unfair judgements, misunderstandings, and long-lasting stereotypes to constantly inhibit us. The ability to be seen as equal will help remove those stereotypes and misunderstandings that too often end in violence. It will help parents realize their child is still their child and lovable. It will help create safe-places for youth and a sense of community and equality.

Many people are unaware that the GLBTQ community has been active in obtaining equal rights since the 1960s, if not before then. This is something that has been happening and will happen until equality is achieved.

What would you do if your family disowned you for simply loving? Where would you go if your friends didn't understand? Millions of children and adults are in this situation... what if it is someone you know? It's likely it is...

Hope-filled,
Whitney