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TURNER DEARMOND
SOPHOMORE
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“The LGBTQ community fits into today’s society and modern love mostly by just existing. Our existence and refusal to be ignored has changed the definition of love, or at least the way it’s seen. Modern love doesn’t just have to be between a man and a woman, it can be between anyone.”
“While people in LGBTQ community now enjoy rights and privileges we wouldn’t have had even a few decades ago, there definitely are still a few things that can change. One of those things is not having the ‘status quo’ or ‘standard human’ be straight and cis-gendered. I’m not saying everyone needs to raise their children as ‘theybies,’ and make a huge deal about it, but simply normalizing being LGBTQ would help many people struggling with their sexuality or gender.
Another thing that could change is LGBTQ representation in shows and media. This has gotten better recently, however, it’s still important and could still use some improvement. Seeing a character on a TV show that was bisexual or gay when I was growing up would’ve shown me that being LGBTQ is something normal and okay, rather than weird and something that should be hidden.
Something else that would better accommodate the LGBTQ community, among other minorities, is to end stereotyping. In many movies and TV shows, there is the token gay character, who is a hyper-feminine male who usually wears pink and talks like a valley girl. It would make so much of a difference for the LGBTQ community if it were known and shown that anyone can be LGBTQ, and that being a part of that community does not immediately define your personality and mannerisms.”
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ANA MANZANO
SOPHOMORE
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“The LGBT community fits into today’s society by being like anyone else. At this point, LGBT people are generally seen as equal, and being part of the LGBT community isn’t as big a deal as it used to be. The fact that I’m bi isn’t a part of my personality, it’s my sexual orientation, simple as that. In the end we’re all just people.”
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“I think a way society can change in order to accommodate members of the LGBT community is to not expect people in the community to label themselves. Some just don’t fit into conventional labels and that’s okay. Understanding that LGBT people don’t owe straight people an explanation of their sexual orientation is really important.”
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QUINN TYLER
SOPHOMORE
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“In today’s world, the LGBT community fits into society as it’s becoming more normalized. Of course there is a stigma but in a world where more people are understanding who they are we are all learning to better accept and appreciate each other. As far as modern love in the LGBT+ community, all I can say is I hope the rest of the world isn’t exactly like Missouri.”
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“I think a major thing society can do to better accept the LGBT community would be to end the fetishization of bisexual females. I think people and men in general view bisexual women as [the defining point of their identity]. Identity is to benefit people who find it attractive. People need to understand that we’re all just people,
weird and hyper-sexual comments aren’t necessary. Sexual orientation doesn’t have to be a big deal, it’s just one of many things that make us who we are.”
