Accident Prone Chap Story

Dear Jack,

So it was in the fifties today here in NYC. Due to a snowier winter than normal and few days over 32, the snow piled up. On corners, there were masses of heavy packed snow and ice. Today much was melting, and so one had the choice of wading ankle deep in brown sludge, or risking the slippery icy sides. I risked the slippery sides. The ice mounds, however, had melted from below due to the water eroding the ice along the ground. Thus as I stepped on a 7″ high ice mound to cross, it gave way and my foot sank into 5″ of icey slush.

The Olympic games in Sochi have highlighted the plight of LGBT Russians, the anti-LGBT “propaganda law”, and the growing homophobia in that motherland. Yet, let us not forget that at this same time homophobia is not a solely Russian ailment.

There are laws in much of the Middle East that are harsher to LGBT people. Several countries in Africa are wrestling with laws enacting death penalty or life imprisonment for LGBT people–as well as punitive action to family members, friends, and clergy or doctors who do not report them. In the USA homophobia manifests itself as well–and not just in bigoted ignorant comments by TV personalities or right-wing radical clergy. Daily lives of LGBT people and their friends and family are impaired.

Look at the many who are bullied to the point of suicide; to being homeless because their family has thrown them out; to the rise in trans attacks in even liberal NYC. We need an awakening to the true meaning of human rights–and a mind change that effects all of our hearts. Early Christian immigrants to the US often referred to this land as a city upon the hill–let us be that beacon. Let us live up to the truths professed in our founding documents and truly break asunder the chains of oppression wherever they manifest themselves.

We are on the verge of this change as more and more states bring a level of legal equality in marriage to LGBT people, and the federal government recognizes these state laws. More laws must be passed and enforced–in NY state that means GENDA. However, just as racism has survived past the 13th and 15th Amendments, sexism has survived past the 19th, both past the Civil Rights Act of 1964, so too will homophobia and transphobia survive many years to come. But we have to keep pushing forward.

I think it is our duty as Americans to move forward in this. It is our duty as humans to do this in all countries, and to help those suffering oppression. As is often quoted of MLK, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.