This winter just isn’t letting up.
Seemingly every few days, the Philly area gets hit with another snowy, slushy mess, shuttering schools, city government and, as angry residents can attest to, trash collection. The start-and-stop of the workweek has thrown many into constant catch-up, delaying deadlines and complicating goal-setting.
The impact of Mother Nature’s unrelenting wrath this winter is not unlike the on-and-off push for LGBT progress in Pennsylvania. Some days we’re moving steadily forward — favorable court rulings, record-setting lists of cosponsors, incredible personal and professional accomplishments by all sectors of our community. Other days, however, we’re halted in our tracks — pledges by lawmakers to kill pro-LGBT bills, violence against our community, infighting among LGBT people. At times, it can seem like every point of progress is matched with a pitfall.
But, if this winter has taught us anything, it’s that preparation is key. When we were socked with our first big storm of the season back in December, forecasters predicted a scant 1 or 2 inches, and the area was blanketed by more than half-a-foot of snow. Those who hadn’t yet gotten their rock salt or shovels or kept on with their outdoor plans may have been left out in the cold; but those who were ready to take on the unpredictable Mother Nature may have weathered the storm a bit better.
Likewise, here in Pennsylvania, we need to be ready for all that could be awaiting the LGBT community. Resting on our laurels and assuming the forecasted upwards trending in LGBT acceptance will carry us to equality in the Keystone State isn’t good enough.
We need to be prepared to present lawmakers bent on quashing the proposed LGBT nondiscrimination bill with evidence of constituent support and arguments tailored to sway each individual legislator to our case. We should be ready to confront anti-LGBT harassment and violence with a united front. We have to embrace all members of our community for who and where they are, and value each individual’s role in our overall movement.
As this is being written, the forecast for days from now is oscillating between rain and a potential 2-and-a-half feet of snow. We won’t truly know what’s going to happen until it happens, just like we won’t know the coming victories and losses for LGBT rights until they occur. But the only way to make sure we can keep momentum moving forward, despite some stalling, is to be prepared.