On March 21, 2023, the shooting of a teenage lesbian couple in Portland, Texas took place. The young women were found over the weekend in a park with gunshot wounds to the head. Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, died and Mary Christine Chapa, 18, was taken to an area hospital where she is reportedly in serious but stable condition. The two were singled out because they were lesbians. My point for this story is to explain the challenges that the LGBTQ community faces for how they feel, and this isn’t just the beginning of these many problems.

     The LGBTQ community is a diverse and complex group of individuals who face unique challenges and experiences related to their sexuality and gender identity. Members of this community may face discrimination, violence, and stigma from society at large, as well as within their own families and communities. This can lead to higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as higher rates of suicide and substance abuse. LGBTQ individuals may also face challenges in accessing healthcare, employment, and housing, which can further exacerbate these issues.

     Within all these issues, Tennessee has just passed an anti-drag ban. Everyone who chooses to disobey the law receives a 2,500 fine as well as one whole year spent in prison. Any subsequent offenses will be classified as a class E felony. Several other states including Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Utah, are considering similar bans. Despite these challenges, the LGBTQ community has made significant strides towards greater acceptance and visibility in recent years. This has been reflected in a growing number of legal protections and policy changes, such as legalization of same-sex marriage in many countries, the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws, and the increasing representation of the LGBTQ individuals in media and entertainment. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that members of this community can live their lives free from discrimination and violence and have access to the same rights and opportunites as everyone else.