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Already many years ago the erstwhile Ten Commandments became the Ten Suggestions. Well, here are ten suggestions how you might personally contribute to improving the lives of members of the LGBTQ community. I didn't come up with these suggestions: I found them in my inbox under the heading "Ten Things You Can Do". Since they were originally intended for Jewish recipients I have taken the liberty of editing them to make them more appropriate for a general readership. They won't all be appropriate to your situation, but many of them will be.
1. Ask your pastor, priest, elder, rabbi, imam to give a sermon (or write your own) about the tragic events of the past month and our responsibility as human beings to speak out and work to end homophobia. Here's an example from a rabbi in UK. You could use it as a base: I'm sure he would be delighted: http://keshetonline.org/files/D%27var_Torah_Parashat_Noah_2010.pdf
2. Speak out. The next time you hear someone say "That's so gay," tell that person why those words are hurtful and can have disastrous consequences.
3. Make your support visible. Post a GLBT Safe Zone sticker in your church, mosque, synagogue, classroom, camp bunk, office, or website.
4. Take action for equal rights. Contact your legislator (if you live in USA) to support ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that prevents people from being fired or discriminated against at work for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
5. Keep youth safe and supported. If you are an educator or administrator at an educational institution, provide training and resources for your staff on how to create safe, inclusive spaces for GLBT and questioning youth. Help start a Gay-Straight Alliance.
6. Come out as an ally. October 11 is National Coming Out Day. If you are a straight community leader, let people know that you are an ally to GLBT people and keep the messages of support coming.
7. Come out. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and/or queer, come out and keep coming out. This simple act will help others.
8. Talk to your children. Middle and high school students witness homophobic and transphobic bullying and teasing every day. Tell your children you support them and that all kids deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.
9. Tell your story. Whether you are queer or a straight ally, upload a video to the It Gets Better Project and share your story with young people who need to hear your message. Visit the Make it Better Project to see powerful stories about what young queers and allies are doing right now to improve their schools and communities.
10. Seek support/give support. If you or someone you know is struggling with issues around sexual orientation and/or gender identity, know that you are not alone. Crisis support is available (in USA) 24/7 through The Trevor Project, 1.866-4.U.TREVOR.
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The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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