 "Photo: Anthony Salinas / The Pan American")
On Monday, at 12:53 a.m., 11 years ago, Matthew Shepard died of injuries sustained after a vicious attack of hatred.
Matthew was beaten to death because he was gay.
Today his memory lives on and many fight for him and all those who are victims of hate crimes. But they also fight for why he lived; the freedom to be happy. Through the history of America the country has continuously fought for the establishment of new freedoms.
The expulsion of hatred and the ushering in of equality are enduring causes.
This weekend President Obama addressed the Human Rights Campaign, the leading organization that fights for gay rights. He provided sound calls for equality that most in the gay community lauded. However, he provided no timetables for action, which is a necessity.
The LGBT community places its trust in Obama to move forward with civil rights, but its members must make sure he provides action to go with the words.
The day after Obama’s speech, a rally with thousands of people was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to ensure that national leaders hear the rising voice and push for the civil rights of the LGBT community.
It is indeed a fight for civil rights, and nothing less. The gay community is one of the last minorities to have to battle for full recognition.
But this is not just a campaign for the gay community to wage; it should be engaged in by straight people as well. Gay people are your brothers, sisters, co-workers, friends, aunts, uncles, classmates, and cousins. They exist universally in every society across the world.
It is a tough life, growing up different than everyone. You’re told you should act one way, but then you feel a natural contradiction.
The ridicule gays face when growing up is grotesque and immensely taxing, and it takes an incredibly strong person to endure it. LGBT people not only face verbal ridicule, but also physical threat, and at that a physical threat that can lead to death as in the case of Matthew Shepard: to come out takes an unbelievable amount of courage, and it is something to be respected.
The other week I walked through the Student Union and I saw a presentation by the Gay/Straight Alliance. The members held their heads high and offered welcoming smiles. Gay or straight, they joined together in the effort, and that partnership is something to be proud of. It’s crucial to progress of LGBT and the fight for civil rights.
A few months ago I was in the airport about to head to Dallas. It so happened that Judy Shepard was waiting to get on the same plane. My deep appreciation for her efforts made me want to say hello, and thank her. However, I was rather shy. A professor I was traveling with grabbed me and took me to her. It was such a simple thing, but it was such a deeply meaningful measure of support from her. It is a moment that I will carry for the rest of my life, and I am very appreciative of her providing me with that opportunity.
Gays need support like that from their peers, siblings, parents, and co-workers alike.
To those who would say that civil rights for gays defies the will of God: to end slavery defied His will, to give women rights was blasphemous, to allow whites and blacks to marry was not His will.
In the mid-20th century a white woman was interviewed in regard to the education of Mexican immigrants. “If the Mexican children were supposed to receive an education, then God would have made them white,” she said.
God has always been invoked by those wishing to keep oppressing minorities. However, throughout history the U.S. Constitution has prevailed. That’s why it would take a Constitutional amendment to ban marriage between same-sex couples. The Constitution does not allow for laws banning civil rights. If the Defense of Marriage Act were to go before the Supreme Court, it would be ruled unconstitutional; thus the need to amend the Constitution.
Obama must end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Gay people will fight for this country no less than their straight comrades. If they are willing to die for the USA, then that is an act to be admired, not punished.
Gays are not some extremist group, as some conservatives have said. The LGBT community is a natural part of this society and must be embraced, not feared or ridiculed.
Everyone knows a gay person. Show them you care. Offer them your support. They need it.
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