By Stefan Varner
The resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry was extremely disappointing as it omitted reference to many Americans who every day suffer the consequences of discrimination and bigotry – the LGBTQ community.
The resolution, which was drafted and adopted following comments by first-year Rep. Ilhan Omar that were interpreted as anti-Semitic, condemned “every form of bigotry and hatred against people based on religion, race, or place of birth and origin.”
But there was not one word about those of us in the LGBTQ community who face such hatred and bigotry every day of our lives. To me, that was an egregious, unforgiveable, omission.
And, compounding that disappointment was the fact that the resolution was drafted and passed by Democrats, the party that I have chosen to support and that has claimed to be “non-discriminatory.”
Because of that stance of professed support, I have focused my efforts to electing Democrats to office. While this action – or lack thereof – on the part of Democrats in the House of Representatives was disappointing to say the least, I still believe that this is the political party that best represents the interests of the greatest number of Americans. The party of Donald J. Trump certainly does not.
While we have all watched, and worked, and waited, and prayed that the courts, the legislatures the political parties, and the municipalities would finally, or even incrementally, step up to the plate and really enforce the equal protections for LGBT citizens guaranteed by the United States Constitution, we are still in an under-class status.
Is it really 2019?
Some Good News
We are, however, elated by news reports of many Methodist churches rebelling against their very own denomination’s anti-LGBTQ stance. Members of the "Religious-LEFT" are finding, and using their voices, and standing up for their fellow man. I rejoice! And so, I refocus yet again.
Yet, we cannot look only to one source of support in gaining our rights and our dignity. We must put consistent and forceful energies into multiple fronts, be they political, religious, familial, or secular.
This takes courage. The fight must continue so we can protect the next generation of young LGBT people.
The struggle is not over.
Stefan Varner chairs the Democratic LGBT Committee of Myrtle Beach, SC. He works to raise awareness that the additional votes needed to change our political future lie in the usually overlooked 11.58+ percent of the population that is the LGBT community.