*The name Sam has been used to protect the identity of a source used in this article
Growing up, many people were taught that the final destination of life is marriage. Girls should find a husband to start a family with, and boys should find wives to support them. This idea has been ingrained in our culture for a very long time, but it is far from reality. The world of relationships is not black and white, but a broad spectrum. This includes a diverse range of people, and though the LGBTQIA+ community has seen increased representation in modern society, they are still often overlooked and discriminated against. According to the Trevor Project, 60% of LGBTQIA+ youth have faced discrimination due to their sexuality or gender identity in the past year. This number will likely increase due to the many recent anti-LGBTQIA+ executive orders passed by President Trump, which include restrictions on federal gender markers and criminal prosecution of teachers who affirm LGBTQIA+ students.
Mason Tiffany, junior, said he thinks that queer people are not as open with their relationships, and that cisgender-heterosexual relationships are more frequently publicized. He said while there is representation for the LGBTQIA+ community in society and in the media, they would be more understood if they were routinely brought to light.
“I feel like in the media, not a lot of [relationships represent] everybody, since there’s such a broad spectrum,” Tiffany said. “They commonly focus on gay people and lesbians, and that’s really all.”
Tiffany also said he thinks being queer can affect family dynamics and friendship, and that people are often treated differently after coming out. He said others are unsure of how to act or what to say moving forward.
“I feel like people need to know that it’s not like they’re suddenly a whole new person,” Tiffany said. “[You just] know more things about them.”
Sam, sophomore, said there has been some unease in her family ever since coming out to them. She said she is extremely close to her mom, but that there is a lot left unspoken in regards to sexuality.
“I feel like I can’t say some stuff around [my mom],” Sam said. “[She has] different beliefs [that] just create tension, which is sad.”
Sam said her friendships have been impacted as well. She said both friends and family have made assumptions about who she is attracted to, and changed their behaviors toward her. Sam said her mom shifted her attitude toward her friends, even though nothing was different about their relationships.
“My straight friend thought I liked her because I [told her I was gay], and soon after that we stopped being friends,” Sam said. “I’ve had friends that weren’t allowed in my house or in my bedroom because [my mom] thought we were dating. [When my friend] had a sleepover, [my mom] didn’t want me to go.”
Dominic Pioter, English teacher and co-sponsor of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), said he has seen the club have positive impacts on many students. He said the GSA has been a safe, non-judgmental space for many, and even if a student is not a member, the club’s existence can offer peace of mind.
“Not everybody is ready to go to a GSA meeting,” Pioter said. “They might still be questioning, or it might not be safe for them to come to a meeting. Just knowing that [the GSA] exists, I think, has an impact.”
Pioter said he thinks that many LGBTQIA+ students feel acceptance at KHS and in other areas of their life. He also acknowledged that many feel they have to be cautious about expressing themselves and their identities.
“As a queer teacher myself, I don’t necessarily know if people are going to judge me, or if it’s a safe space,” Pioter said. “Even though the [GSA] is ultimately about building relationships with each other, without knowing who’s in the room, [students wonder], is this going to be a safe place?
