Write down three words that describe your identity. Not behavior, not traits, but who you fundamentally are. Then imagine waking up to find out that a top leader in your government believes one of those things should be criminalized. Not discriminated against. Criminalized.
That’s what has happened. The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, second in line to the presidency, believes in criminalizing LGBTQ+ people. Again, not simply allowing discrimination, but criminalizing.
Reason it out for a minute. Criminalization means punishment. Fines? Jail time? Deprived of property and civil liberties? What else?
If it was not LGBTQ+ identity but something you regard yourself as, how would you feel? What would you think?
You would likely find it unacceptable. You would likely be angry. Wouldn’t you?
You would likely look back at history and ask yourself, “Haven’t we been here before?”