As a Lakota graduate, the recent incident where a Lakota graduate’s plume was cut from her cap by the Farmington district is deeply disturbing. Graduation ceremonies are supposed to be joyful celebrations of one’s hard work and achievements, yet this act of disrespect and cruelty marred what should have been a moment of pride and honor for this young woman.
The school administrators’ actions in cutting off the culturally significant plume from the Lakota graduate’s cap signify a lack of respect for diversity and individuality. The excuse given of wanting students to look uniform is not only flimsy but also reeks of a power trip from those in authority.… Continue reading
It is truly disheartening and infuriating to see that one of Trump’s Day 1 priorities, if he were to win back the White House, would be to reverse transgender student protections. The fact that protecting the rights and dignity of transgender individuals is not only disregarded, but actively targeted, speaks volumes about the deeply ingrained hatred and discrimination that exist within his base and the Republican Party.
The idea that on the very first day in office, Trump would strip away protections for transgender individuals, who have done nothing to warrant such cruel treatment, is not only morally bankrupt, but also showcases the blatant disregard for basic human rights and decency.… Continue reading
Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I cannot help but feel a certain sense of frustration and disappointment when I read about the recent events in Utah. The tip line that was set up to report violations of the bathroom law has been flooded with hoax reports by transgender activists in an attempt to block enforcement. As much as I understand the need to stand up against discriminatory laws and regulations, I cannot wholeheartedly agree with the method being used.
It is disheartening to think that individuals who identify as transgender have to resort to such measures to make their voices heard and their rights respected.… Continue reading
As I sit down to process the recent news coming out of my beloved state of Texas, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. It’s disheartening to see Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leading the charge in a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s new Title IX guidelines that protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in education.
The fact that Governor Abbott has ordered schools in Texas to ignore these new rules is not just unacceptable, it’s downright cruel. How can we, as a society, allow our leaders to actively promote discrimination against a marginalized community?… Continue reading
Iraq has recently made same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in jail, a move that has sparked outrage and disbelief among many. The fact that this is considered an upgrade from Iran’s hanging or Saudi Arabia’s beheading for the same offense is truly shocking. The West’s intervention in Iraq, allegedly to remove Saddam Hussein’s oppressive dictatorship and establish a democratic government, seems to have missed the mark entirely. Instead, Iraq has elected a government that is sympathetic to Iran, leading to the codification of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community into law.
Homosexuality has always been taboo in Iraq’s conservative society, but there had not been a law explicitly punishing same-sex relations until now.… Continue reading
As I read about the incident where London police threatened to arrest an “openly Jewish” man near a pro-Palestinian protest, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock and disbelief. The fact that a man was targeted simply for being visibly Jewish in a public space is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted antisemitism that still exists in our society today. The idea that someone’s religious or cultural identity could be seen as a provocation, or worse, a justification for potential violence, is both alarming and deeply troubling.
The notion of being “openly Jewish” should not be a cause for alarm or a reason for someone to be singled out in such a hostile manner.… Continue reading
John Leguizamo’s recent statement about Trump’s lack of support for the Latino community is incredibly powerful and rings true in so many ways. As a Latina myself, it’s frustrating and disheartening to see fellow Latinos supporting a president who clearly does not value or respect us. The reality is that Trump’s xenophobic and racist policies directly harm the Latino community, yet some individuals within our own community continue to support him.
It’s perplexing to witness Latino Trump supporters who ignore the blatant racism and discrimination that he promotes. They may believe that supporting Trump will somehow exempt them from the same prejudices and injustices faced by other marginalized groups.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the heartbreaking reality of trans folks resorting to peeing in bottles or avoiding water altogether due to the traumatizing harassment they face under Florida’s discriminatory bathroom law, I can’t help but feel a range of emotions. The fact that residents have taken it upon themselves to police restrooms, often incorrectly enforcing the law, is appalling and deeply disturbing.
The very idea of someone monitoring bathrooms and challenging individuals based on their perception of gender is not only invasive but also dangerous. The accounts of trans individuals being denied entry or harassed in public restrooms are a stark reminder of the hatred and bigotry that still exists in our society.… Continue reading
As a parent of an autistic child, it is extremely disheartening to hear about the recent incident at a Lake Worth-area private school where Autism Awareness Week was canceled after a pastor deemed it ‘demonic’. The level of ignorance and discrimination displayed in the pastor’s email is truly shocking and unacceptable. The pastor’s statements about Autism Awareness Week being idolatrous and demonic because it supposedly takes away from Jesus are not only misguided but also harmful.
The pastor’s narrow-minded view that anything that teaches children to have their identity in anything other than Christ is demonic is not only a dangerous mindset but also a form of religious extremism.… Continue reading
As I sit here reading about Best Buy offering to screen LGBTQ nonprofit donations after conservative pressure, I can’t help but feel disappointed. It’s disheartening to see a company cave to the demands of a conservative think tank, especially when it involves organizations that support LGBTQ individuals. The fact that Best Buy is considering screening donations to LGBTQ causes is a clear indication of the influence that these conservative groups hold.
The proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Free Enterprise Institute, urging Best Buy to end its partnerships with LGBTQ nonprofits and initiatives, is alarming. The language used, referring to these organizations as “predatory butchers,” is not only inflammatory but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker