I saw a comment on Twitter, wondering why Black Lives Matter is supported by the LGBTQ2S+ community. So, I thought about this. A thought that resonated with me is that it isn't okay just to not be racist, we must be anti-racist. The reason I got this, the reason I understood it, was because I could liken it to my experience with homophobia. Unless proven otherwise, I often assume everyone is homophobic. Perhaps this isn't fair, but for me, it is safe. I have some amazing friends who've invited me to join them at city hall to fight against conversion therapy. Friends who watched my monologue, and talked to me about it, showing their support. Friends who knew I was gay before I did, and stuck with me as I figured it out. Friends, who asked with excitement, to see my wedding pictures. I have other friends, good friends even, who've never convinced me that they are not homophobic. They've never opened up about their perspective, never gone out of their way to show support. Perhaps they don't have to do this. Perhaps it is asking too much. Perhaps it isn't safe for them. But their silence leads me to wonder if I am safe around them. If they don't make it apparent that they are anti-homophobic, I am quick to fear that their anti-gay religious upbringing is still directing their thoughts.
Enough about this. What am I doing to show I am anti-racist? How can I be a safe person for BIPOCs?
Identifying as part of a marginalised group helps me understand a little bit what it is other marginalised groups experience. Perhaps this is why queer folk are quick to support Black Lives Matter, to some extent we get it. But BLM isn't a queer issue, it is a people issue. BLM is about people, about supporting our brothers and sisters of colour, This is something everyone should get behind.
"I might not be the same But that's not important
No freedom 'til we're equal
Damn right I support it" - Macklemore
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