I’d like to talk to you for a minute about the plebiscite that is going to happen in Australia.
First of all, I want to acknowledge that the LGBT community is often a defensive one. And you know what, its fair enough. Every time you meet a LGBT person you are meeting someone who has had to actively practice self defense in order to survive. This is because if we have not been bashed, we know someone in our community personally who has. If we have not been kicked out of our homes or disowned by our families, we know someone in our community personally who has. It is because the buildings we congregate in, and the places we live are vandalised on the daily. It is because while we have existed as long as history has been recorded we are still having to fight to be treated like human beings. As a community we have become strong, and self sufficient, and dare I say it; proud. But now we are at a crossroads.
For so long we have been defensive. And now, we are being forced into a state of vulnerability. Because of this plebiscite, as a gay woman, I now not only have to endure the rising level of hatred, and violence, and condemnation that comes when change is proposed, I have to do it gracefully. Because I now have to ask the Australian people, who I do not know personally, and even worse, I have to ask my friends, family and colleagues…do you think I matter?
“Hey citizens of Australia. Hey mum, dad. Hey, friend I went to high school with and haven’t talked to in years. Hey co worker. Do you think I matter enough? Do you think the way I love matters? Do you think I matter enough to deserve the legal protection marriage provides? Do you think I should have the same civil rights as you? The government elected doesn’t want to choose, so you get to decide! What do you think, do I matter enough?”
I personally have worked really hard on not caring what other people think of my sexuality. I have always told myself that it doesn’t matter. But my friends, right now, it matters. Suddenly my defenses are gone, and I am having to be okay anyway. My heart hurts, for myself and for everyone in my community right now who is also feeling my level of vulnerable. My identity is under attack and my rights are up for debate. What I’m trying to say is this: if you can vote, vote yes. Don’t get mad at my community for being defensive more now than ever, understand how vulnerable we feel at this moment. If you are a friend to someone LGBT, love them extra hard right now. We have always fought hard and valiantly, but man, this shit can still hit us hard. And if you are LGBT… my friend; we matter. Repeat those words over and over until you believe them, and eventually things are going to be okay.