HE/HIM, SHE/HER, THEY/THEM - WHERE IS WE/US?

It is becoming increasingly suitable for the ground of the earth to transform into a playground of divisions, especially during a time when we are stressing strenuously to break free from them. Among all the movements we have established, the PRIDE movement claims much significance as it pertains to a community of minorities who have endured abuse since the dawn of mankind. Though the efforts to gain the right to live have reaped much fruit, the price of this victory is once again, ostracization.

But, this time, it is self-imposed.

As biological beings, we have always been expected to belong to one of the two genders and be attracted only to the opposite gender in order to ensure the growth of the human tree. When deviations occur in this convention, they have always been deemed dirty. Perhaps it was the fear of disrupting the process of procreation, or the envy that there existed on earth a feeling they could never experience. Either way, it fostered the first symptoms of hate in the hearts of those who only conformed to traditional gender roles. The emergence of such new concepts further intensified the flames of animosity, thus beginning the ostracization of the supposed 'others.’

With the passage of time, these 'others' found an audience for their voices. This audience would embrace the empathy in their own hearts unlike those who succumbed to the perceived laws of humanity. These unwritten laws of love seemed to strip fellow humans of their right to embrace their true selves, ultimately extinguishing their right to live. Striving fiercely for acceptance, the differently identifying individuals took to the streets to strongly announce their coming together as a community. As their voices resounded through that of the audience, recognition was rendered, not instantly, but resolutely, as they came to be seen as 'one of us.' However, as the movement gained momentum over the years, the community focused solely on inward expansion, inadvertently leaving behind the voices that remained.

Of course, it can be debated that it was necessary to maintain a sense of isolation to protect the established identity from getting provoked further. The society, despite its claims of reform, still harbors individuals who deeply harness transphobic and homophobic ideas. Keeping the community closed would indeed prevent it from being invaded by phobic narcissists who inch closer solely to inflict harm. However, such a process also erodes the proximity between community members and well-intentioned non-members. Consequently, an uncalled-for and unconscious division befalls, leading to the widening of the distance that took the entirety of the human lifespan to abridge. So, where did things start going wrong?

At the inception of the movement, the focus was to unite as a community that supported its members whilst leading a normal life out of the spectrum. As the movement picked pace over the course of years, the focus shifted from the need for equitable living to the need for external acceptance. Consequently, a paradigm shift in the mindset of members ensued: “My orientation is the identity with which I wish to get identified.” It is this very notion that neglected the integration of the LGBTQIA+ community into the fabric of society. It ended up providing fertile grounds for haters to build upon the burgeoning pattern of segregation and reinforce further the distressing idea of ostracization. Should this way of proceedings continue unimpeded, there would be a total termination of any semblance of purpose beyond the boundary of sexual orientation.

Should this trajectory manifest as the future for the community, we would cease to witness the greatness of Alexander The Great or James Baldwin, the aficionados who fearlessly shattered the rigid gender norms of their respective eras. Their lives stand as substantial evidence that LGBTQIA+ individuals should aim to integrate their sexual orientation into their personal identities rather than shaping their entire identity around the orientation. Because, when the latter approach comes into practice, there is an automatic withdrawal from those who don’t identify differently, thereby crushing the chances of a potential 'WE/US.'

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, NRSV)

The hard-won freedom now hangs precariously in the hands that once united to forge it. While the community's recognition remains stronger than ever, their diminishing desire for genuine integration threatens to propel their struggle into a downward spiral. To rise above the ashes of acceptance, individuals must cease their quest for external validation and instead boldly announce their truth to the world with unwavering pride. For, true pride resides not in asking but in showing. It lies in leading the way to greatness for our entire species while wholeheartedly embracing the differences that mark our diversity. Thus, alongside the usage of 'he/him,' 'she/her,' and 'they/them' pronouns, it is high time we find a way to fervently include the pronoun of ‘WE/US.’

REFERENCES:

Header image courtesy: unfurlingdesigns

https://www.them.us/story/the-complete-history-of-pride

https://www.advocate.com/world/2016/7/08/20-lgbt-people-who-changed-world#rebelltitem33

https://www.hrc.org/resources/what-does-the-bible-say-about-transgender-people