LGBTQ+
The LGBTQ+ acronym encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. The plus acts as a symbol for the ever-expanding and understanding of gender and sexual identities.
Queer individuals for decades have been the targets of prejudices, backlash, discrimination, and hate crimes. Many believe LGBTQ+ individuals should not be allowed to marry, adopt children, love who they want, or openly be themselves. This behavior, known as homophobia often creates helpless, uncomfortable, fearful, embarrasing, and dangerous environments for queer individuals.
Homophobic behavior and anti-queer rhetoric can greatly harm a queer person. Anxiety and depression have been closely linked to the LGBTQ+ community for years as a result. But, learning to grow comfortable in one’s skin and accept oneself is the first and most important step one must take in understanding themselves and gaining the tools to combat homophobic and fearful rhetorics.
Racism
Racism is the bias or discrimination against a person/group of people on the basis of identity in a specific racial or ethnic group. This dangerous prejudice is closely associated with affecting mental health, self-confidence, pride for one’s culture,
Racism can be found in many elements of life such as social actions/ interactions, practices, and even political systems.
To combat this harmful discrimination, one must identify racist rhetoric around them, and denounce it when they recognize the behavior. Another key tool is creating an open and comfortable space to learn about and better one’s understanding of race. It is crucial to continue the forever-changing and ongoing conversation surrounding racism to familiarize ourselves with the discussion and gain the tools to stand up to it in the future.
Ableism is an often overlooked form of discrimination. The term refers to a set of beliefs and practices that devalue and discriminate against people with mental or physical disabilites.
The world wasn’t built with people with disabilites in mind and as a result, society often fails to take into account the challenge of disabilities. This can be seen from wheelchair accessibility, closed captions on televisions, to even asking someone what is “wrong” with them.
To better equip ourselves to understand ableism, it is crucial to simply treat and view any disabled person as equal. So, do not use labels on a person without knowing first, ask someone with a disability if they need help before assisting, and never treat the person as a child or someone to be pitied.
Often, society feels it must show sympathy for people with disabilities but this only makes ableism more systemic of a problem.