College Assignment: Idea for a Mobile Application

My idea for a mobile application is a news and information app for the LGBTQ community.This app would solve the problem of having to search and dig through countless search results to find information specific to the user’s area and information that is solely associated with LGBTQ topics/interests. People of the LGBTQ community would want to use this app because it would be a convenient way to get locations of gay friendly businesses, bars/clubs, articles about LGBTQ life, etc.

Once starting the app, the home screen would allow you to enter your location so that any information that needed to, would be altered to your area. After entering your location, you would select a category which would then display the desired content. Examples of screens are shown below.

The Difference Between You and Me (Straight and Gay)

Growing Up

As a child, I was not much different from other girls my age. I was a daddy’s girl;  always attached at his hip. I liked to play with my cousins and friends. I loved to sit in the kitchen and watch my grandma carefully put together each meal. I had an older sister who I’m sure I annoyed at times, and a younger sister who returned the favor. I dreamed about what I’d be when I grew up. In my innocence I claimed I wanted to be a doctor or an astronaut. Then I grew up and realized science was a large part of those career choices. Next, I wanted to be a lawyer, then a journalist. I guess that last one stuck.

I always assumed that one day, when I met someone who treated me well and loved me unconditionally, I would get married. I knew I wanted a big wedding. I wanted all my friends and family to celebrate my joy and happiness. I wanted a big party with dancing, flowers adorning every inch of a grand ballroom, and a towering cake. I wanted to have a baby of my own to love, care for, dress up, and protect.

Reality

We often want a lot of things as children that we aren’t necessarily going to get. Once we are old enough, we realize that perhaps some of those things are out of reach. Maybe wanting to be an astronaut is something we can look back on and laugh at. We can see that we had the new, fresh eyes of a child yet to be tarnished by the real world. We laugh at our innocence and our sincere belief that anything was possible.

Difference

The difference between you and me is, not only do I have those moments when I realize I was silly to ever think I would go to space, I have to deal with the reality that I can’t get married either. I can’t have a baby as easily as I had thought. If I did have a wedding, regardless of the fact that in my state it would not be recognized and we would not have the same rights as other married couples, chances are a large number of family members wouldn’t attend because I’m a lesbian. If I were to decide to have a child with my future wife, one of us wouldn’t be recognized as a “legitimate” parent of the child we decided to bring into the world and raise together. If we did have a child, we would have to figure out what to tell our child the first time their peers make fun of them or cast them out because they have two mommies. How do we console our child when the world tells them that they are a product of something unnatural? How do you explain the blatant stares and slurs cast on us on a daily basis?

As I transcribe my realities into this post, I am at the verge of tears. My tears are shed because all of these realities shouldn’t exist. I shouldn’t have to base my desire to have a child on worries of the world punishing them for something they could not help. I shouldn’t have to give up my dream of a wedding with all my loved ones in attendance. I shouldn’t be discriminated against because I love someone the government says I shouldn’t.

My tears are just as real as yours. My future family is just as valid as yours. My love is just as strong as yours. Don’t I deserve to have the same rights as yours?

The majority of the United States still prohibits same-sex marriage; including my state of Texas. See where your state falls in the equality department on the HRC website.

Political Progression: A Glimmer of Hope

Making History

For the first time in U.S. history, a sitting president has endorsed marriage equality. President Obama has not only stated his personal support for marriage equality, but has established it as one of the main points of the Democratic party’s platform this election year.

Immediate Outcome

The President’s actions have had, and will hopefully continue to have, a tremendous impact on LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) American citizens. The fact that this statement and gesture has been made is a triumph in itself. It is important that those in leadership roles use their positions in the public eye to create social change. President Obama’s actions will hopefully encourage others to use their platforms to speak up and support marriage equality and LGBTQ rights.

Locally (Austin, Texas) we have already seen what I consider to be a result of the President’s progression. The Austin City Council has become the first in the state to endorse and support marriage equality. While this statement may not result in immediate change in legislation, the significance of this step is valid nonetheless. Considering that Texas has a reputation for being a majority “conservative” state, the fact that this has been accomplished in the capitol city is impressive.

Future Hope

From the President’s endorsement of marriage equality,  to LGBTQ characters not only being incorporated in mainstream media but stars of primetime television shows, LGBTQ citizens are witnessing important changes every day. These changes will contribute to shaping an open-minded society and do wonders to terminate the taboo nature of the topic. However, the fact that the President’s endorsement comes during an election year means that the chance of him putting his words into action is dependent on his victory. Therefore, the biggest stride towards equality of all American citizens is in the hands of the voters.

This election year is one of immense value for the LGBTQ community and its supporters. What happens on November 6th will change the course of American history in the making either way. Our votes can move us forward, or possibly halt progression towards equality. Make your voices heard. It is our duty to help mold the direction that America is going. America is beautiful because we embrace diversity and strive for equality. Let’s make the decision that will represent what America stands for.

Right and Responsibility to Celebrate Pride

Notoriety

Many people outside of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Questioning) community tend to see pride as something silly and extravagant. A gathering of the brightly dressed, lustful creatures that prance around half-clothed, if clothed at all. With this assumption it is easy to dismiss the importance of pride events.

True Meaning

Gay pride is not just a big, fabulous party. Rather, It is about the celebration of accepting oneself as is, even when society deems homosexuality as taboo at best, and an abomination at worst. Pride is about acknowledging the struggle of the people who were the first to take a stance and fight for rights of the LGBTQ community.

History

Society has yet to fully accept the LGBTQ community. While this is still a tremendous struggle today, we have come a long way. In the 1950s and 1960s being openly gay was damn near unheard of. With good reason, there was a definite lack of visibility of the LGBTQ community. During this time, people who were openly gay could be arrested and put in jail.

Police raids of establishments that were suspected of being gay bars was not uncommon. With this knowledge, it may not have been a surprise to the community when the New York City Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn located in Greenwich Village. The Stonewall Inn was known to be a hangout for many of society’s outcasts of the time, which of course included the LGBTQ community.

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, members of the  LGBTQ community rioted against the NYPD after the raid on the Stonewall Inn. The initial riot led to more protests from the LGBTQ community. The newfound fight in the community quickly resulted in the organization of activist groups that worked for the fair treatment of the LGBTQ community.

The Stonewall Riots are credited by many as the most prominent event that helped launch the modern-day gay rights movement. It was the first LGBTQ group, of a notable size,  to stand together and resist arrest. The modern-day gay pride parade and events were organized to commemorate and acknowledge this huge step towards visibility and equal rights.

Continued Struggle

Austin Pride: Protestors shout slurs and condemn festival-goers to hell on September 22, 2012.

Today the LGBTQ community is more visible and, for the most part, more tolerated in today’s society. Even with this being so, there is still a tremendous amount of discrimination towards the community.

People who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning continuously struggle with judgement, oppression and violence against them.

While we may not ever be able to change someone’s personal views on homosexuality, we should always have equal rights as American citizens. Part of what we are entitled to as American citizens is the ability to pursue happiness as we see fit and to be protected equally from unjust attacks. We should be able to be who we are, love who we love, marry who we choose and be proud of all of the above.