College Kids Canvass in Support of LGBT Equal Rights

This summer the ACLU recruited college students to promote equal rights for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender (LGBT) citizens to enact laws to discourage . Donning bright blue ACLU t-shirts and carrying clipboards to collect information, students canvass the sidewalks, determined to get our support.

A good-looking journalism student from Sacramento State honed in on me as his victim. Describing the cause he said, “The LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas: Relationships, Youth & Schools, Parenting, Gender Identity and Expression and Discrimination in Employment, Housing and other areas. Are you aware that LBGT are the most targeted for bullying and cyber bullying?”

I am aware. I asked in return, “Did you know that was voted 5 out of 5 stars for LGBT friendly campuses?”

He eagerly answered, “It is precisely why I love this city and I commend the University in topping lists across academia, athletics, and publicly embracing equal gender. Easy and painless reforms are made in other college campuses because of UC Berkeley’s example of tolerance.”

He kept his pitch fast moving, “College is not like high school. Even if you attend a high school that is accepting of your sexuality or gender identity these kids are still the targets of the worst kind of cyber bullying.”

The ACLU has fought LGBT discrimination challenging laws to advocating for civil rights that protect LGBT people

A gay couple who stood by shared their insights, “At many colleges, the LGBT community is a visible and valued part of campus life. Unlike high school you’re likely to find more activities, more resources and a much wider dating pool. Most schools have LGBT resource centers and many offer a major or minor in LGBT.”

Max and Peyton are tan and fit young men. Holding hands Max  shook his head and offered his experience as an example, “High school sucked.  Many of us who are questioning our sexuality or have been in the closet often find that it’s easier to explore and be open about our sexuality in college. It’s a relief to finally pop the lock off the closet and meet people who have struggled with the same issues. ”

His partner, Peyton added, “Here, we can walk down the street together holding hands and no one does a double take.”

“How do we learn from these experiences to affect change?” I probed.

Max offered a very sound plan, “What we needed was a forum in which gay and straight students could meet and form friendships, discuss and present important issues related to tolerance and solidarity within the broader universal community.  We could hopefully find common ground in a supportive, respectful, comfortable atmosphere. Communication can solve a lot of the issues if we were allowed to address them openly.”

Peyton said, “It is incomprehensible that today we still find people who will not let go of their homophobic ideas.”

“Maybe, maybe not; historically, we are a people who have deeply ingrained ideas that are still in the process of being uprooted.” I replied.

Max and Peyton suggest that we begin by openly supporting and envisioning a world that promotes a loving dialogue and attitude of acceptance between heterosexuals and homosexuals as a gateway to support our LGBT community. Peyton confidently added, “We deserve to be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.”

Peyton and Max live in Berkeley because “it is very attractive to LBGT students.” Max threw in, “Berkeley will never cease to be actively political, supportive of human rights and left-leaning. That keeps it cutting-edge and exciting.”

UC Berkeley’s Gender Equity Resource Center, also known as GenEq, is committed to fostering an inclusive Cal experience for LGBTstudents. GenEq is abundant with resources, services, education and leadership programs related to gender and sexuality. They are committed to providing an experience that promotes inclusiveness, love and equality for all.  Their website is extensive and highly recommended: http://geneq.berkeley.edu/what_is_geneq.  

The ACLU exhaustively works to change our biased laws which allows an opportunity for the LGBT community to rightfully claim empowerment and inclusiveness. I commend the exhaustive work of those at the ACLU; they do not attempt to debate the morality of homosexuality, but demand that we treat LGBT persons with the basic respect every human being deserves.

With that said, whether in college or the ‘real world’ homosexuals may still encounter homophobia at school or at work. Not all cities are as accepting of the LGBT lifestyle as the Berkeley community. 

I have great admiration for the students that canvas our neighborhoods for equal rights. It is no easy task to promote any cause let alone a cause that creates a stir; but what better place than Berkeley? Please remember when you see them out there, they need our support.