I can walk through the halls of my school and get shot dirty looks, pushed, shoved, and cussed at. You would think that I had done something personally to them, but it's only one thing. The fact I am a lesbian. Unfortunately, this is the reality for me, and thousands of other teens across the United States. The only reason why they are isolated, beaten, and rejected as a whole, is because Sally likes Jane, and Jessie just wants to be Jessica. The bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth is a real problem. One that needs a real solution.

Senator Michele Bachmann has been know to be "anti-gay" and has even made several remarks proving it thus. Such as "It isn't that some gay will get rights. It's that everyone else in our state will lose rights. For instance, parents will lose the right to protect and direct the upbringing of their children. Because our K-12 public school system, they will be required to learn that homosexuality is normal, equal and perhaps you should try it." That's just the same as how we are taught how segregation is wrong, African American's are normal and equal, and you should "try" being black. That same natural attraction straight people feel towards the opposite sex is the same that gay people feel towards the same sex. Transgenders don't try it, they spend years, with body issues, confused, wondering why they hate themselves, and you have the audacity to try to keep who they are bottled up inside them.   This isn't a choice. Gays don't think, "Oh hey, this would be fun to try!" Why would anyone choose to be considered a freak of nature?  Over 50% of LGBT teens are rejected by their parents, making them 6 TIMES more likely to commit suicide. 28% drop out, due to not feeling safe in a school environment. Gay teens often hear over 25 anti-gay slurs a day, and are verbally abused at least 10 times a week, and even more often, no administrators care. Now, tell me again, that we choose.

Some people also say that being gay or transgendered is a disease. Does that mean I can call into school or work gay? The American Psychological Association has even done studies and cleared that homosexuality is in fact, NOT a mental disorder, nor disease. The only thing close to this is the fact that isolation in society and rejection from parents can cause stress and even form anxiety disorders. This isn't them. This is the close-mindedness of the public that has lead to the destruction of their lives.

Hope isn't lost though. Everyday more and more stand up against people who think it's OK to abuse children for simple differences. Due to organizations like PFLAG, GLESN, And The Trevor Project, children's spirits are lifted, and not only feel better, but not alone. PFLAG, or Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, have greatly helped the cause to promote equality in the public. One of their missions is to "Create a world in which our young people may grow up and be educated with freedom from fear of violence, bullying and other forms of discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation or that of their families." They are one of the most famous organizations when it comes to LGBT support. GLESN or Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, focuses mainly on LGBT equality in schools. Doing things such as launching "The Day of Silence" where we acknowledge the silence that so many LGBT teens have had to face. Even though these organizations have done so much, the Trevor Project, really have done tremendous things for me personally.   During a time in my life, when I was confused, and felt overwhelmed, I found the Trevor Project website. Simple things saying, "Talk to me" and "It Get's Better" let me know, that I could make it through the night. After I joined TrevorSpace, I learned that there were kids just like me, in the same situations, and people all around me, just waiting for me to open my mouth, and talk. And even if there wasn't anyone, the Trevor Lifeline was open, giving me reassurance, that if I had nowhere else to turn, I could always call, and always had someone there for me. All these organizations see the truth. Why can't you?

Unfortunately, not every LGBT Teen knows that hope is always available. But there can be change and there will be change. James Baldwin said, "Everybody's journey is individual.  If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy.  The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality." Being gay or transgendered isn't a choice, but teaching your children bigotry, and to despise a whole group of people is. Even you, sitting there in your seat, can make a difference. Let someone you know that you are there for them. Teach others that gay bashing ISN'T cool. If everyone puts in an effort, than one day, when Sally likes Jane, she can walk safely through her hallways and know, I'm accepted.