Reflection On The LGBT Panel

To start off, I would like to say that I am completely okay with my paper being shared with the panel members. Panels are a very good way to inform listeners about a certain topic. They allow for the listeners to learn the basics of a subject as well as be able to participate and ask questions throughout the process. I found the LGBT Panel to be very informative as well interesting. In this paper, I will be speaking about what I learned from the panel, one question that I had that was not addressed, and how the panel has changed my views on the LGBT Community. There are many things that I learned throughout the duration of the panel. First off, I was surprised when each member of the panel introduced themselves by explaining what pronouns

At no point in my life did I previously approve of the any individual who was LGBT. However growing up in a small community, I was not immersed in the community and did not get to experience individuals firsthand. I learned that these individuals are called numerous harsh names such as “Gay Kid, Fag, Queer, and Homo”. One individual explained that he was beaten every day that he attended school, and another girl said her entire family disassociated her until she changed her views of sexual orientation. I cannot imagine going through every day with the world against you. Just because of one decision, which in all reality is not even a choice, they are shunned. I have a cousin that attended the University of Northern Iowa, who was and still is homosexual. He did not come out until he was at college and his direct family was definitely not accepting of his sexual orientation. I am glad that UNI is a very open towards LGBT individuals. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, no matter if you are heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pan-sexual, or any other sexual orientation. I want to thank the panel for giving up a part of their day to educate others on the LGBT