Don’t be fooled, the progress on LGBT rights has never been enough

We’re leaving the kids behind

Now, as I think about it, I would not win the perfect attendance award for any aspect of my identity.

Whether it’s race, religion, sexuality, or nationality, people may consider me AWOL or question my allegiance.

Sometimes I’m off base. Sometimes I’m in left field. I write what I research and what I feel. So, if you find my prose and tone punchy, it’s because something just aroused me in the worst way. I’m often late to the parties. I’m often the last one to know and show. And I have found wheels to be good resting places.

So, as a gay man, I’m not a perfect gay, okay? I don’t know everything. I’m not on every email list, and I don’t get the memos.

Before the Trump Administration, I thought things were going well for us. We got marriage rights; we got more visibility, even the military and the Boys Scouts made changes.

And every poll in the United States read better and better for LGBTQ people. I noticed how the most staunchly opposed religious and political groups were going our way.

The haters are moving toward LGBTQ support by centimeters, but they are moving. So, yeah, I felt our society was going in the right direction.

But, I also knew progress for the trans community was way behind. I know of the horrors trans people face, particularly trans people of color. So, I would’ve said we should put our focus on the trans community, and that’s still true.

Then the Trump Administration happened.

And then the Supreme Court AKA the Demean Court happened.

Mm. Right now, it feels different. The heyday looks like it’s gone away and I long for yesterday.

I can take the temperature. We are in frosty times with cold-veined people who want to freeze out LGBTQ people. The hate is hailing and raining from all directions.

I could hashtag, “elections have consequences.” I could think this shivery shutdown of LGBTQ people isn’t the true will of the people. I could think the future elections will fix this and…