LGBT Discrimination and Bullying
There is growing validation of a type of oppression syndrome for those in the LGBT community. As a result, we as a society more and more simply accept that they are being discriminated against. We have a President, Federal and State agencies, large corporations (e.g., Disney, Amazon), and others with power, who insist that LGBT bullying and discrimination happen on a widespread basis, and as a result, put laws and rules and policies in place to eliminate and/or prevent it.
We see many examples of reinforcement that those in the LGBT community are not safe from “us”. Just recently, I was traveling and saw a rainbow background color police badge in a coffee shop window and it had these words: “SAFE PLACE, Report Hate Crimes, this location is a safe place for victims of hate crimes and harassment to call 911 and wait for police to arrive”. I wonder if they have a badge with a cross or unborn child on it to support those who are victims of hate crimes and harassment because of their faith or pro-life stance?
It's reasonable to wonder about LGBT discrimination specifically here in North Dakota. Organizations like the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law have looked into this. The William Institute appears to be a respected and essentially pro-LGBT entity, that conducts surveys and research to, “ ensure that facts — not stereotypes — inform laws, policies, and judicial decisions that affect the LGBT community.” Looking at their facts, they found that if ND laws were put in place to prevent LGBT individuals from employment discrimination (as have been proposed at multiple state legislative sessions), the number of sexual orientation/gender identity employment discrimination complaints would increase state-wide. By how much you ask? By 3 complaints.
What about other types of discrimination, such as discrimination at our state's colleges and universities? The Williams Institute surveyed 629 LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ students across the nation on discrimination experienced at their four-year institutions. Let’s assume that the surveying was a 50-50 split along gender/sexual orientation lines, then roughly 315 survey participants would have been LGBTQ. If these 315 LGBTQ students were geographically spread across all states based upon state populations, then slightly less than 1 LGBTQ student was surveyed in ND. If we take yet another approach and spread those 315 LGBTQ respondents by state shares of LGBTQ individuals, it would mean just under 9 students were surveyed. Since the study found that 33% of LGBTQ students experienced bullying, harassment, or assault at college – that’s 3 college students in ND. While this should never happen, keep in mind that North Dakota has tens of thousands of students in 4-year institutions.
Does discrimination against LGBT individuals exist in ND? I’m sure it does. But it’s clearly far from any catastrophic situation we would be led to believe by our government and the media.
On the other hand, I can personally attest that bullying and harassment does happen on a significant scale to those of us on the other side of LGBT issues. People and organizations that try to protect your values and biblical foundations of marriage and sexuality, such as NDFA, are called homophobic, sent hateful and vulgar emails and letters, are cursed at, and more. Event organizers focused on gender issues are harassed, and social pressure is exerted so that businesses are afraid to sponsor and be associated with anything public proclaiming the truth about the LGBT movement. And this is not in California, New York, or Oregon. This is in North Dakota, folks.
So, where do we go from here? Let me be clear that I bear no ill will toward individuals of the LGBT community. They have been created in the likeness of God, as we all have, and everyone in their community has inherent worth and dignity. I may not agree with their lifestyle choices, but such is a pluralistic society. In fact, those on the opposite side of LGBT issues and I have occasionally briefly chatted at the Capitol when testifying. I actually appreciate these civil conversations and hope we can have more, so that I can better understand their perspective on issues and vice versa (yes, this is an invitation!).
In contrast, I am not as enamored with the leaders of the LGBT cause on the national level. They are the ones with wholesale social change at the top of their agenda, the ones pushing for federal laws that infringe on your and my rights, the organizations and individuals who are crying “victim” and influencing everything from national politics to the books in your child’s classroom. They are bullying corporations to adopt politically correct policies, lest they be shamed and have it impact their bottom line.
It is incumbent on us as Christians to do two things in these matters. First, never give up our values and our desire to preserve the fundamental biblical truths upon which this country was established. Second, never stop loving those who differ from us on this issue. I think we can agree that discrimination and bullying of LGBT community members should not occur in North Dakota. It may not happen to a great extent in our state, but I certainly hope and pray that it is never by you and me, followers of Christ.