IDAHOT 2022 Reflection
What is IDAHOT? "The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people, and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder." (https://may17.org/about/)
IDAHOT 2022 Poster - Celebrate the power of love
I have experienced my share of violence in my beloved country as both a woman and a lesbian. Many LGBTQ Jamaicans continue to experience violence despite the strides Jamaica takes towards some version of tolerance.
Tolerance says to many of us, "you are here, so, ok, but don't be up in our faces flaunting your lifestyle. Actually, can we still pretend as though you don't exist? Or, at the least, can we separate your sexuality from you and deal with the part we're comfortable with, you know, the 'not-gay' part?"
Tolerance usually is an indirect ask for us to make ourselves invisible. Asking this causes psychological and emotional harm. Those of us who refuse to be invisible (or who are privileged to reject such requests), live with the threat of physical and sexual violence to force conformity.
Our government still asks us to be invisible - or, at least, not to press the issue. Our music still warns us to keep it to ourselves (though there have been changes in the music scene). Many of our churches still tell us that we are sinful and hell-bound.
Dr. Marcia Riggs reminds us that, "the harm we do [to others] is sometimes psychological/emotional; other times, physical; and frequently manipulative/coercive or exploitative. The harm we do, in any of these - forms, is always violence."
From the book bans and anti-trans policies in the US to raids on safe spaces in Uganda, LGBTQ folks across the world still face violence.
This IDAHOT, I offer a prayer for every LGBTQ person experiencing or who has experienced violence or might need a word of encouragement.
I pray that you are surrounded by a loving community who can be there as a supportive barrier around you. I pray that you find peace, restoration, and healing. I pray that you know that you are not broken, not a mistake, not sinful or hell-bound. I pray you are told and that you know: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE ENOUGH.
One of my colleagues recently introduced me to this moving piece. I share this with you today.
Spencer LaJoye - Plowshare Prayer (Live)
