How We Can #EraseHate in an Increasingly Hateful Year
By Christine Siamanta Kinori

Over the past few years, there has been a constant rise in anti-LGBTQ + violence. The latest incident in America is the mass shooting at a gay club in Colorado. The shooting left five people dead and 18 others wounded. Sadly, cases like this are no longer a surprise. Being on alert for a hate crime has almost become part of the LGBTQ+ community’s DNA. There seems to be few spaces where we are free to be our full selves.

This latest attack happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors trans people killed in hate attacks. In some ghastly sense, the shooting was probably meant to create panic and fear in those hoping to celebrate the LGBTQ+ holiday. In most cases, the shootings and the attacks are perpetuated when there is a celebration or a meeting. These attackers plan to infiltrate the gathering and disrupt it. This is what happened across the world this year during Pride celebrations.

In June this year, many states across the US had to cancel or hold their Pride ceremonies under heavy security after increased threats from members of far-right groups. In Idaho, the police detained 31 men from a white nationalist group called the. Patriot Front. The men were carrying riot shields, shin guards, and a smoke grenade, heading to disrupt a Pride event nearby.

In Norway, they were forced to cancel Pride events in June following a deadly shooting in a gay bar that left two dead and at least 21 wounded. The police cited security concerns and warned that the queer community is a high target for religious extremists. In other countries such as Russia, Pride events were not held and those who tried to throw Pride events found themselves in legal trouble.

This year, the LGBTQ+ community was threatened in more ways than with just weapons. Hate comes in different forms and that is clear in the way most homophobic countries are tightening their anti-LGBTQ laws. The US saw a rise in anti- LGBTQ+ bills being passed or brought forward. We are still riling from the bills such as the “Don’t Say Gay,” and the overturning of Roe vs Wade.There are also bills that are meant to traumatize trans children in school and ban their gender-affirming health care.

In other countries such as Uganda, the government shut down an LGBTQ+ organisation that was helping queer youth. This left many queer youth in the country with no safe haven. The systematic oppression of the LGBTQ+ community continues in many African countries. Ghana proposed an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ law that endangers even the freedom of the communities allies and supporters.

In other countries such as Iran, the government used legal gambits to request a stay of execution for two queer activists. Many activists across the world are currently working to save the two ladies from their impending execution following false charges. Hate comes in many forms and so does oppression. 

So what can we do about it?

We need to speak up and out, and teach young people that love is love and differences don’t necessarily mean we are enemies. We all can #EraseHate, but it will take work. It will take sitting next to the quiet kid at lunch, and standing up for someone being laughed at in passing period. It will mean having awkward and difficult conversations. It will mean listening. It can be exhausting reading headline after headline of attacks against the LGBTQ+ community. It’s okay to be disappointed- even discouraged. But when we take action- when we #EraseHate- we can make a real difference.

Read the full article on #EraseHate here!!!

About the Author:
Christine Siamanta Kinori grew up in a little village in Kenya known as Loitoktok near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. All she wanted to do when she grew up was to explore the world. Her curiosity led her to join Nairobi University to pursue a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She later got a job with an amazing travel magazine Nomad Africa which gave her the opportunity to explore Africa. She also writes for numerous travel websites about Africa and tries to create a new narrative in the media about our aesthetic continent.

Christine claims to have somewhat unhealthy addiction to TV and reading, as it is a fun way to keep herself occupied during the long journeys for her travel writing. She is also a believer of letting people be their beautiful selves. To her, love is love and it is the greatest gift we have as humans.

Visit Matthew’s Place and The Matthew Shepard Foundation  their mission is to amplify the story of Matthew Shepard to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people. Through local, regional, and national outreach, we empower individuals to find their voice to create change and challenge communities to identify and address hate that lives within our schools, neighborhoods, and homes.

Our work is an extension of Matt’s passion to foster a more caring and just world. We share his story and embody his vigor for civil rights to change the hearts and minds of others to accept everyone as they are.