In a recent Youtube video response to Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, famous actor and activist George Takei reaches out humorously to fight against this legislation. He says “By not talking about gay people, they can simply make us disappear.” When I saw the video thought it was a joke, then I realized how serious this is. What an ingenious way to fight against discrimination with humor.
Being a gay Asian American myself, I found this to be funny yet effective. Denying our existence and preventing teachers and faculties of grade schools from discussing gay issues is a spit in the face. When I think about this bill passing and reaching its fruition, I think about all the children who are gay and questioning, where they will have no one to turn to and no one to talk to about their concerns.
I understand that sometimes these issues are better explained at home by parents and family, however, there are still troubled kids out there who feel like the only people they can trust are teachers. I don’t believe this bill will do anything but encourage more bullying and discrimination.
How many times have we heard stories about gay teens committing suicide because of bullying? How many times have we heard about gay bashing? As one of the most diverse countries in the world, shouldn’t we be past this already? I’m almost ashamed to call myself an American.
We shouldn’t hide who we are and we shouldn’t deny who we are either. Why should there be a document that tells us who we can and can’t be? It’s inhumane.
In a recent article on The Slatest, it reveals that the bill has already passed the Senate and is on its way to the Tennessee House of Representatives. I’m quite disgusted at this. Think of our future, think of the children and what kind of example this will set. We shouldn’t live in the kind of world that bashes and criticizes people for who they are. A country based on freedom of speech? Don’t make me laugh. This is not freedom of speech.
