By Jamie.
I was born and raised in the Deep South in the Great State of Mississippi. Despite my love for what our state has to offer, I can conclude that we are behind in many areas. I personally work on informing others about their sexual health and provide information about what they can do to keep themselves healthy and aware. From doing the work I do, I have seen an interesting culture present itself in our state. I often find in my school a lack of compassion and understanding for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who walk our halls.
Starting from when I was young, I had an aunt that had a life partner. She and her partner identify themselves as lesbian women and are proud of who they are. I know my father’s four other brothers and sisters had a hard time coping with their sister’s new identity because their Baptist beliefs are deeply rooted in our family. Over time, I saw my aunt continue to show me and my family how to become better, more compassionate people, and I continued to love and support her, as did my family. Even though my family often lets their religion shield the relationship they have with her, they continue to love just as anyone should.
On the other hand, many students in my school do not have a role model like my aunt. I see LGBTQ students constantly questioned and misunderstood in the conversations that occur at our lunch tables, in the halls, and through group messages. I instantly love and accept them like I would anyone else because I know that it is the right thing to love others as you would want to be loved. I cannot help but feel compassion to these students because they are constantly questioned and misunderstood every
day.
According to TheTrevorProject.org, a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth, LGBT students are 4 times more likely to commit suicide and questioning youth are 3 times more likely. I never want my non-acceptance of someone’s life to hinder their own growth and feeling of self-worth. I believe that everyone is put on this earth to serve a purpose no matter what the circumstances. I see in our state a lack of compassion to the LGBTQ community because many are not open and accepting enough to see past their own beliefs to tolerate the life of others.
I would love to have a deep and rich compassionate love go to all LGBTQ people in Mississippi because everyone is human just like you and me. Everyone has value they can give to better our society. Everyone deserves to feel love and support. We need to get past our own stubbornness and see beyond ourselves and grow compassion towards others in order allow everyone to thrive and prosper within our state and nation.
