Visibility can help others see beyond stereotypes
and change their perception of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender community.
If you are someone who has the privilege to marry,
help those who don't. I can't get married. If I get married
in California, not only would my marriage not be valid in my
state, but I might get in legal trouble.
Your support can prevent bullying, suicide, hate
crimes, and unfair treatment.
Hector:
It wasn't until the 60's that the
United States Supreme Court ruled that all bans on interracial
marriage were unconstitutional, even though a majority still
opposed to it. People thought that interracial marriages were
an abomination, and now that thought seems ridiculous.
"I worry because homophobia
and heterosexism have led to violence and hate crimes," but
counters that thought with enthusiasm and optimism, stating
"I believe change is possible. I believe that "positive visibility"
is not about promoting good deeds we do, but about those who
look at us being able to see past their preconceptions. I
also believe that not only do I deserve the same rights than
everyone else, but heterosexism hurts and places me and others
in danger."
Mike
I am quite thrilled to be part of this campaign.
Thoughts on being out and visible and gay
marriage
I feel that it is so important to be exactally
who you are and to embrace all that you bring to the world.
When you hide your true self as a gay person, it tends to
validate the belief that you are doing something wrong for
some people. I don't kid myself that it is that simple for
everyone to be out of the closet, but hopefully through this
campaign, someone will be inspired by us or anyone here and
begin that process of coming out.
I also feel quite strongly about the right
for all people to enjoy the legal act of marriage. Once again
the fact of being out and visible can help this cause. All
of our neighbors need to know and understand who we are and
what we bring to the table. I know that we are a strong group
of people, but, if the population who have been given the
right to be married have not ruined the sanctity of marriage
with divorce, I doubt that we can do any worse.
Hector
Siempre hemos estado presentes. Somos tus hijos,
hermanos, primos, vecinos, y amigos. Y como las personas que
quieres, nos merecemos tu respeto y apoyo.
Es común escuchar personas decir, "
A mi los gays y las lesbianas no me molestan, siempre y cuando
no se metan conmigo o que no anden por ahi anuciandolo."
Pero saben que? la mayoria de los gays y las lesbianas no
se meten con nadie. La mayoria trata de esconderlo, aunque
el esconderlo cueste mucho esfuerzo y dolor. Como gays y lesbianas
solo queremos tener la libertad de ser quienes somos sin tener
que escondernos, sin recibir la estigma y el prejucio que
nos maltrata y nos oprime. El silencio hace daño, ya
basta. Demasiados gays y lesbianas has sido victima de violencia
o se han provocado daño a si mismo/as. Es nuestra resposabilidad,
la responsibilidad de todos, debemos cambiar esto, debemos
hablar, y respetar la diferencias para poder entonces entenderlas
y apreciarlas.
