In the last few days of pride month. Angel Rojas presents a written speech to his fellow members of the LGBTQ+ Community.
Hello, Members of the LGBTQ+ Community
Pride month has come and gone. For one month out of the year, we reflect on those we lost to bigotry and violence. We reflect on those who came before us and fought for our right to exist. However, their struggle is not over. It is still ongoing. We face attacks from both at home and abroad. From laws being passed to restrict our very ways of life. To the laws being passed that label us as nothing more than abominations and unworthy of living the life that others get to cherish. That others don’t know how lucky they are to have.
We remember the queer people of color whom through racism and violence their lives were cut short. We remember the exclusion that bisexuals, transsexuals, asexuals, sex workers and many others faced by the very pride community that was meant to celebrate us. We remember how people shame others because it doesn’t follow society’s traditional ideas of masculinity or feminity.
I ask the pride community to let go of their strict adherence to what society still dictates is supposed to be moral, and to restrictions on our free expression. Let us live. Let us be a part of your community. Like it or not people who are different from the traditional Brady bunch household and lifestyle’s time is coming. It is coming in the forms of protests from those long neglected by their own community.
We remember those words that the pride community is family. Let us be a family. Otherwise, you disgrace the memories of the trans activists and sexually expressive activists who died for our right to be free from brutality and repression. I love you all my brothers and sisters and gender queer family. I love you and I will always stand up for our right to exist and live. Regardless if you want to let it “hang” or let them “show” or wear clothing that will shock others. Because I know you are all beautiful and you have every right to be who you want to be. To love who you want to love. And to live how you want to live.
Let us live. Let us be a part of your community.
To those still living in fear or in the “closet.” I want you to know that you have every right to remain there. But I would also like you to know that I love you. You are valid. You have every right to exist. I know it is scary and hard to not only come to terms with who you are but wondering who will still love you afterward. Well, I love you. That is the theme I want you to focus on which is love. Love for not only yourself but for others as well. Regardless of race or sexual orientation. Don’t be an ableist, age-discriminatory, racist, biphobic, or transphobic. Be a family of love.
Nobody should force a person in the closet or those who are questioning to just come out. Give them time and leave them be. In this age of homophobic leaders and figures like UKIP Nigel Farage and U.S Vice President Mike Pence, we need to stand in solidarity. We need to come together and fight not only the problems within our own community but those who dare to attack us from outside the community. Don’t let their words banish us into the night cowering in fear. Don’t let their mindless hate and bigotry scare us into hiding again. We’re are queer and we are here to stay. So, if you may excuse me. Fuck them! We are human beings. We have every right to exist and live. And if they don’t like it. They can go fuck themselves. I apologize for my use of words. But I have nothing to be sorry for as we are human beings dammit!
To those still living in fear or in the “closet.” I want you to know that you have every right to remain there. But I would also like you to know that I love you. You are valid.
We will as we always had for many years stand strong against intolerance and bigotry. Throw away that mindless phobia towards bisexuals, transgender, disabled and those who want to live as sexually free as they can. This is pride month! And we need pride not only within ourselves but within each other. Yes, I know many of us will probably die. Some of us may face prison or beatings. But it is the price that we must pay for fighting for our right to exist. I think it is morally sick that a little boy or girl ends up committing suicide simply for wanting to love who she wants to love. And my heart goes out to anyway struggling with mental illness or those who lost someone to suicide. You will not be forgotten or held in vain.
I love you all my brothers and sisters and gender queer family. I love you and I will always stand up for our right to exist and live
Finally, as always I want you all to know that I love you all. Regardless of who you are and the fact that we may never meet face to face. Know that someone out there thinks you are strong and awesome in every way. Remember we are a family of love and we must act like it! As always remember to stay sexually and socially my LGBTQ+ family.
-Angel Rojas,
You can follow Angel Rojas on Twitter (@angelrojas450)
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