Many of us are tired of politics, but we can not escape it – it’s wherever we look. The thing is, policy should be valued as much as daily duties: doctor visits, vehicle maintenance, and inspection by a trusted accountant.
It’s time to pay close attention, especially with the increasingly complicated violent political developments worldwide and the Roe vs Wade controversy.
These events show us that nothing is set in stone – even though bills on the rights of gay marriage have been passed, for example. In 2022 alone, GOP lawmakers have put forward about 200 government bills that could erode rights and diminish the protection of LGBTQ + teens, children and their families.
Therefore, more than ever, it is crucial for minority groups, such as the LGBTQ + community, to keep abreast of what is happening in the political sphere. But where to start?
Knowledge is power. Knowing exactly how your congressman and representatives are voting and how this aligns with your own political ideals can mean informed voting decisions and stopping this kind of law withdrawal.
Government resources, such as the U.S. Senate or U.S. House websites, and reliable independent sources for drafts and polls, such as WeWillDecide, can help build an impartial and complete picture of our political situation.
Studies have revealed that the youngest generation of LGBTQ + Americans are “far more committed to politics than their straight counterparts.” And it’s amazing. But what about everyone else? We must overcome the political apathy that keeps so many people from getting involved. But how?
As a healthcare professional, I see the political influence in my workplace every day, even more so during the pandemic. We brought a level of political ideologization to a simple act: to wear a mask. The politicization of a virus has been incredibly frustrating. And more and more issues are being tied to politics and religion like never before.
The disappointment of our broken political system inspired me to launch the WeWillDecide platform. I wanted to create a way to digest political information in the most transparent way possible, without any bias creeping into the opinion-forming process.
It minimizes the possibility of falling for the conspicuous clickbait and fake news that is an irresistible temptation for many. It will also give the “apathetic voter” a way to engage in the political process again without trudging through the overwhelming noise that always accompanies it.
The creation of WeWillDecide promotes critical thinking to give anyone the opportunity to build their own political views and analyze what actions representatives have taken. The platform provides an easy way to become its own political analyst based on hard data. No opinions, only facts.
Most importantly, if representatives fail, we as citizens, not just in the San Diego community, but nationwide, should not be afraid to discuss it in our community – with the same passion, devotion and criticism that we use when we talking about our beloved Padres.
It is also important to get rid of the illusion of not being able to have a tangible influence. We have previously lived our lives peacefully in a “ignorance is bliss” mindset, and either we do not vote or vote blindly due to being bombarded with endless influences. But we no longer have the opportunity to ignore the current political catastrophe we are facing – so many of our rights, which we have taken for granted, are in jeopardy.
Take the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ireland in 2015, when #hometovote took off on social media. Irish nationals abroad flew home in droves to vote and support the LGBTQ + community. A clear indication that individuals can come together to create a great, unique effect.
Engaging in politics requires courage, but we must also base our knowledge on impartial sources in order to broaden our perspectives and learn to validate information.
Learning to empathize and see value in the opinions and beliefs of others has also become more and more rare. Socrates assumed that people keep their faith at a superficial level. So try Socratic skepticism to challenge your views. This technique questions every idea we stand for and deconstructs it to understand the core meaning.
Finally, remaining true to our political values can disrupt another person’s perspective and heat up a conversation. But it is not the message that is harmful – it is how we express it.
Once we have learned to conduct valuable critical debates, we will improve our political knowledge with something you cannot find from one source – the experiences and opinions of others. But conflict is not always a bad thing; it will build a robust social environment with political acceptance.
As citizens, we hold the key to the future of politics and LGBTQ + rights. We just need a little bravery to talk about the topics we are passionate about and build arguments based on impartial information. Imagine a world where politics is calm and fact-based. Just imagine.
Kelly Riordan is a heart sonographer and CEO and founder of WeWillDecide, a website that helps voters make informed decisions.
What is the 2 Spirits program?
2 The Spirits program was originally established to provide health education and community development to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to establish networks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and sisters throughout Queensland. This may interest you : 5 facts about political tweeting in the US.
What do the 2 stand for in LGBTQ2? September 19, 2019. Sexual orientations and gender identities that are not heterosexual or cis-gender are often described with the acronym LGBTQ2S. LGBTQ2S is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and Two-Spirit.
What is the Two-Spirit flag?
Two-Spirit Pride Flag Two-Spirit: An umbrella term for identifying queer Native American individuals with traditional and cultural understandings of gender roles and identity. History: Two-spirit is a concept that existed before European colonization of North America.
What are Sistergirls and Brotherboys?
Sister girls are native women who were classified as men at birth but who live their lives as women, including taking on traditional cultural female practices. On the same subject : The owner of a local business is asking for help after his computer is stolen. Brotherboys are native men who were classified as female at birth but “choose to live their lives as men, no matter what stage / path medically they choose”.
When did LGBT start using rainbow?
It was first unveiled at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. Read also : Oh Canada: A Canadian Risk Assessment of the United States. After the design was unveiled, participants in the parade proudly waved the new symbol in solidarity.
When did homosexuals start using rainbows? It dates back to 1978, when artist Gilbert Baker, an overtly gay man and a drag queen, designed the first rainbow flag. Baker later revealed that he was encouraged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, to create a symbol of pride for the gay community.
Why does a rainbow represent LGBT?
Also known as the gay pride flag or LGBT pride flag, the colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. The use of a rainbow flag as a symbol of gay pride began in San Francisco, California, but eventually became common at LGBT rights events around the world.
What does this flag mean 🏳 🌈?
This particular flag is used to represent the LGBTQ community and is used to express pride in this community. Both the flag itself and the emoji that displays it are often referred to as the Pride Flag.
What does the P stand for in Lgbtqiapk?
Pansexual: a person who feels attracted without regard to gender identity (The term bisexual is used about people who experience attraction to the established binary genders of male and female.)
What does Lgbtqia + stand for?
What does P in LGBTQQIP2SAA stands for?
LGBTQQIP2SAA | An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexual, pansexual, bisexual (2S), androgynous and asexual.
