By Cristina Picozzi, Executive Editor
Taylor Swift is right. People are mean. Words are like knives and swords. They hurt those they cannot understand. There will always be someone who disapproves and someone will always judge a book by its cover. However, there are times when we can be our own worst enemies.
I am a firm believe that education opens eyes, and the fear of not knowing or understanding is what has always pushed me to learn more.
I have always been open minded, but being in high school in the south is very different than going to college in the north. I had never seen anyone transgendered or dressed in “legit” drag. In fact, I had only had friends that were bisexual in high school. Some of which only acted that way because they thought it was trendy.
Moving to New York was a culture shock and at first I didn’t know what to do when these situations came my way.
By my junior year of college I had been exposed to a lot of things that the south didn’t offer, but there was still a lot that I hadn’t encountered. I don’t necessarily know if it was fear or just confusion from not understanding, but regardless I pushed myself to become more familiar and understand.
I read about transgendered culture and its history. I learned about kings and queens- the real and the no-so-real. I know the difference between transgendered and a transvestite- and yes, there’s a big difference. My senior year I felt like I was actually getting a grasp on LGBT culture, but there was and still is so much to learn.
My ignorance makes me feel out of place sometimes. I also find myself still judging those around me because I’m human and we all do it.
The first time I had ever been surrounded by a large number of member of the LGBT community was at CNY PRIDE a few years ago. I couldn’t believe the number of people in Syracuse as well as the crazy costumes and music. It was like being a 12-hour concert. It was completely entertaining; however, I was completely embarrassed and overwhelmed by everything I was experiencing.
I know it’s rude, but it’s partially true; I always thought of other LGBTs as loud and obnoxious. I fight the fight while keeping a low voice, but at PRIDE everyone is yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. It’s all for a good reason, but I think because I had never been to a PRIDE festival before I was in awe and shock.
I have made myself try to see things from others point of view. Being bisexual I know how I feel about equality and what it was like coming out, as well as what I’ve heard other people say they think about bisexuals. But I’m a bisexual women, not a man. We might face similar hate, but it’s still different. I’m also not a lesbian, so I don’t exactly know how they feel either.
I’ve talked to queens about their experiences with “doing” drag, and how they got their start. I believe it’s important to know about something before I judge it or turn away.Those conversations definitely opened my eyes to realize it’s about having fun, being comfortable with yourself and allowing yourself to let people see the real you.
We’re all just trying to be comfortable with ourselves. Worrying about others, or what others think about us is unnecessary. Just like Americans learn about American history, I would challenge everyone in the LGBT community to learn something about a part of the LGBT community. Learn about the riots, the origin of our terminology and what is going on today so we can make tomorrow a little better for the next generation. Education is the only way for us to grow as individuals and as a people.