Ever have to go up to your third grade teacher and ask if you would still be able to do a family tree since you're adopted? Or have your sixth grade teacher tell you that it wasn't necessary for you to do a genetic traits chart? On a lighter note, it also makes some school assignments a little awkward. You could be a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. Sometimes it's knowing that you were never really wanted. Sometimes it's knowing that your adopted parents tried to have their own children first. Sometimes it's knowing that you were ripped away from a beautiful culture and language. Sometimes it's knowing that she carried you for nine months but didn't think of a name for you. Sometimes it's wondering if the woman who carried you in her belly for nine months ever even held you in her arms. I can tell you that it isn't always being grateful that your birth mother decided to give you life and give you away. I have felt and lived in the pain that can come with being adopted. If I wasn't given the choice to keep my child, if my only options were adoption or an abortion, I would choose an abortion. Personally, I think that once you give the government control of reproductive choices, you cannot take that power back. Some have put restrictions on the number of children women could keep. Some have forced women to become pregnant and bear children. Other governments have put laws in place governing children. I'm pro-choice because, if the government took away my choice, I would choose abortion.Ĭonfused? Don't worry, I'll explain more. Unfortunately, there are still many ways in which individuals and organizations can legally discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, the most controversial being the recent spread of “bathroom bills” that target transgender people. Additionally, legislation has been passed in many states that provides protection to LGBTQ+ individuals. Since the Supreme Ruling on June 26, 2015, however, marriage equality has almost become a nonissue in the US. Historically, Pride celebrations have also included an activism component centering on gay rights, focusing on issues such as HIV/AIDS, violence against the community, and marriage equality. Many cities host even more unique and specific events for many sections of the LGBTQ+ community. In the 1990s, Black Prides emerged as a powerful and beautiful celebration of the LGBTQ+ communities of African descent. Today, Pride includes the “traditional” celebrations but has also expanded to include orientation- and identity-specific celebrations and days of recognition.