"It takes no compromise to give people their rights ... it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression." -Harvey Milk

During June, we celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community. The month of June was also chosen for LGBT Pride Month to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, an event recognized by most people as the most significant event for the gay liberation movement.

Although it's been over fifty years since the days of the open bigotry that led to the uprising in Manhattan in June 1969, and despite many advancements for the rights of people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, little has changed regarding hostility towards the LGBTQ community. In 2023, intolerance toward the gay community has become more brazen, direct, and openly hostile to a point at which it seems like any advancements in LGBT rights are being stripped away before our very eyes.

Cloaked behind such terms as "grooming" and "protecting minors," communities in Greater Danbury, Connecticut, and across the country are waging war against the LBGT community with draconian legalization aimed at demonizing a segment of our population and driving them back into the shadows.

Since the election of Donald Trump, one political party has not only embraced bigotry but has also made intolerance against the LGBT members of our society a part of their political platform. 

From banning books in schools and libraries to passing ridiculous ordinances that specifically target the LGBT community, intolerance based on sexual orientation has increased over the years and shows no sign of subsiding soon.

As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, it would be refreshing if our society rejected the narrow-mindedness that has gripped the segment of our population that desires to turn our country back to the days before the Stonewall Uprising. 

In the same manner that society pushed back against discrimination against women and people of color, it's just as vital that we take a stance against the open intolerance towards the LGBT community that we're witnessing play out in communities nationwide.  

"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Homophobia's got to go!"