Living with PRIDE

Picture Source: https://www.militarynews.com

Having been a part of many workplace trainings, this one in particular, turned out to be more inspirational than I thought.  My organization had arranged for an LGBTQ2S workshop, to help orient us to the needs of this community when working with them.  Although I am familiar with this concept superficially, I was amazed to have a closer look at this perceived "other world". The best thing was the workshop, being conducted by two trainers of the community; in a community center run by them in the City of Toronto, who introduced us to The Rainbow World. Just like many other communities who have faced hardships as a result of their being perceived different, this community is still struggling to gain the much-needed recognition on a global platform. Although Canada has stood up for them for the most part, there is still a lot of work to be done. As the trainers provided, lived experiences of challenges faced, it made me realize how easily prejudices turn into norms. It made me reflect on thousands of incidences that we- who call ourselves typical, have encountered in our daily life. Things like:

“you have to dress like a girl", 

"why do you want to cut your hair like a boy”, 

"don't you know; pink is the color of girls, blue is for boys", 

"how come you ride a motorcycle, are you a tomboy", 

"why do you cross your legs like a girl", 

"why is your voice so high pitched like a girl", 

"isn’t your hand bag too girlish", 

"don’t walk so stiff like a boy". 

And this still continues with,

“why do you cook if you are boy", 

"why don’t you know cooking if you are a girl" 

"you should be earning more than your wife because you are the guy" 

"why won’t you be a stay-at-home mom since you are the girl",

"why don’t you take your husband’s name after marriage" 

"you won’t be able to drive so well since you are a girl! 

And the list just never ends. .....

And how readily we accept these things because isn’t that normal in the so-called straight world? And then we fight for equality, racial discrimination, justice and all those big and heavy words!

As an Occupational Therapist, I have worked with kids with special needs for the past 5 years and it has opened up another new world for me-  a world with differences; not just in these kids but also their caregivers, their healthcare providers and the community at large. 

And the basic theme remains the same- be sensitive, be aware that each person is different. Physically, emotionally, spiritually and sexually! Just because something has been followed for generations does not make it right. Quickly jumping to conclusions, the moment, you see someone - even if in good spirits is a complete no-no. Instead can’t we just pause, take some time to talk to someone, and if we don't have the time, just let someone be? 

Not all of us have the capacity to be leaders or activists! And certainly not all of us have the inclination to “change the world”. Acceptance is also a precious thing to ask for! But the least we can do is be humane ... if you cannot help, at least do not attack! Let’s all co - exist peacefully. That itself will go a long way into paving a path for the much-needed acceptance! Equality, discrimination, Justice and all those big words will resolve themselves on their own! 

Isn't that what we have always been learning from the same societal norms "LIVE AND LET LIVE"

Time to put that into action....

Arohi

Disclaimer: I do not intend to hurt anyone's feelings, nor am I any expert on this topic. Any feedback is appreciated.