Every time I think the board is making progress, they take ten steps backward. I was thrilled that many of you listened to the issue with the Lyman yearbook situation and took actual action to amend the initial decision - but here we are again discussing LGBTQ+ rights.

Many of those who oppose the proclamation claim that it's dividing students, but that is an incredibly immature way of viewing the situation. All we're doing is asking to be acknowledged and supported, as neither of those things are currently happening. Saying stuff like, "what's next, redhead awareness month?" is unbelievably undermining the actual core cause and is plain childish. We're asking for support because queer students are brutally bullied, raped, murdered, and attempt suicide on a regular basis. I don't know why so many people think that helping a community in desperate need of support is somehow divisive, but that is simply untrue. And for those of you thinking "those things happen to straight people too!" of course they do. But no straight person is killed for being straight. Gay people are killed for being gay. That is the difference, and it isn't a hard concept to grasp.

If you continue to disappoint the LGBTQ+ community with your lack of action, I want you to know that you are all responsible for every instance of bullying, every suicide, every murder, every rape - all of it is on your hands. Does that sound harsh? Good. If you're uncomfortable, good. If you feel that way, just imagine how the people who are actually experiencing all those things firsthand must feel. Imagine the gay kid who got cornered in the boy's bathroom and was beaten to death just for loving the same gender. Imagine the trans kid who was followed on the bus ride home and got horrifically raped and murdered. Imagine all of the queer people who have been let down again and again and again by a group of people who's job is to protect them, but instead choose to end their own lives rather than having to live even one more day in a world where we are not safe.

How pathetic is it that I, a high school student, have to stand up here and BEG for something as simple as safety? This is my fifth time doing this, and none of you have so much as raised a finger to help us - to help me and my struggling community. You should be uncomfortable. You should be embarrassed. You should be ashamed of yourselves. We aren't asking for much, but somehow still nothing at all has been done. Every day I have to watch my fellow students, friends, and family live in a society where we can scream to the world that we need help, but still end up ignored. Still end up assaulted, still end up hopeless, still end up dead. Please, let this be the last time I ask. Help us.