In Which We Think Of The Children

Time and again, Gentle Reader, a tired old line is trotted out to object to LGBTQIA relationships and lives.

Bingo.

It’s usually trotted out right before or right after something outrageously offensive or ridiculous, like “How will I explain gay people to my kids?”

This is how. You’re welcome.

Basically, they think that acknowledging the existence of LGBTQIA individuals will destroy their child’s innocence. Does the constant exposure to heteronormative relationships make a child straight? Please.

STOP FLAUNTING YOUR HETEROSEXUALITY

Most of these arguments are safely battled out by talking heads in the media, or else over holiday meals with elderly relatives. What people forget, when they invoke the spectre of the children – 

Did someone say Spectre?

– is that children can hear what you’re saying, and they can be harmed by what you’re saying. Just think – either you’re teaching your child to fear anyone who isn’t exactly like them, or, if your child is part of the LGBTQIA family, you’re teaching them to hate themselves.

“No child of mine could possibly be one of those filthy queers!” I hear you angrily froth in my mind.  You have no way of knowing that. That’s not up to you – if you have an LGBT child, you had better change your tune.

What if your child is queer, and closeted, and they hear you spouting your hateful claptrap? Do you have any idea what kind of a childhood that is?

 You’re the reason that 40% of homeless youth are LGBT, even though we’re only 5-10% of the general population. You’re the reason that queer teens kill themselves! And you have the gall to tell me you’re concerned about the children?

*ahem*

You’re the reason that kids are terrified to come out.

You’re the reason that kids lie to themselves and everyone around them, thinking that something terrible is wrong with them that they can’t fix no matter what they do.

You’re the reason that queer parents across this country can’t offer the same protections to their families that you have.

You’re the reason that straight kids feel like that can bully queer kids and gay bash. THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, THEY THINK THAT THEY’RE DEFENDING MORALITY, BECAUSE YOU’VE TAUGHT THEM TO FEAR AND HATE QUEER PEOPLE. 

Don’t you dare tell me you’re concerned about the welfare of the children.