by Marianne Sussman
We're your sons and daughters, your parents, your friends and relatives, your colleagues, employees and neighbors.
We're of all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds, socio- economic groups and religions.
Some of us are blind or visually impaired.
We're also gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT).
Someone close to you -- a friend or family member -- is gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgender and you probably don't even know it.
We want you to know.
Blind Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual People (BFLAG) was formed in 1996. We began as a group of people who are gay and blind who sought each other out for support and information. Today, we have a growing membership that includes heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
In 2000, BFLAG received its charter as a special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. BFLAG is the first such special-interest group of the leading organization of people who are blind in the U.S.
Why BFLAG?
The purpose of BFLAG is to provide for the betterment of the lives of those who are visually impaired and who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
- Through a membership organization primarily of visually impaired people who accept and affirm the purposes of BFLAG.
- To provide a forum for the views and concerns of visually impaired people interested in issues facing those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
- To provide information about publications of interest to members, that is produced in accessible format and by encouraging the production of such material in accessible format.
- To facilitate the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information relative to matters of concern to blind people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
- To seek to assure adequate services to those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender by agencies and institutions serving blind people. Anti-gay Prejudice Today
Homophobia (the hatred and fear of homosexuals) is a major basis for the suffering of GLBT people.
Some GLBT people worry about losing their jobs and being disowned by their families. Some family members live in fear that relatives or friends will "find out."
Homophobia exists today in the forms of family and societal ostracism, physical violence, employment and housing discrimination and unequal protection under the law. Fear and shame keep many GLBT people "in the closet," hiding behind the masks which society tells them they must wear.
GLBT people are likely to be the victims of physical, emotional and spiritual violence. This situation can be compounded by blindness or visual impairment.
Many GLBT people are accustomed to running up against prejudice and hostility just about everywhere they turn. They may fear that the widespread homophobia in our society has influenced your attitudes as well. They worry that you still believe the tired old myths.
Myth 1
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are mentally ill. Fact
Homosexuality is not an illness of any kind. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association ruled, "Homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability or general social or vocational capabilities."
Myth 2
Homosexuality is a choice that people make.
Fact
Studies have found that sexual orientation develops "naturally" and at a very early age. The "choice" that gay people must make is whether to accept their sexual orientation or to deny it.
Myth 3
Gay men are child molesters.
Fact
According to the FBI and the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, over 95 percent of all child sexual assaults are committed by heterosexual men with female children.
Myth 4
Homosexuality causes AIDS.
Fact
A virus causes AIDS. Anyone can be susceptible to it.
BFLAG would like you to join our efforts to improve the world in which we live. Become a member, buy our cool lapel pin, and join one of our sessions during the ACB annual convention.
Visit our awesome web site at www.bflag.org.