HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Natalie Wilkinson 5-1-14 Natalie Wilkinson
Age 16
Bozeman High School
There is an abundance of derogatory terms meant to humiliate and even
dehumanize members of the LGBT community, and a teenager is no stranger to that
vocabulary. Often cruel words will be casually exchanged in high school,with"gay"
being used to describe a person or thing that is weak or effeminate. The saddest part is,
the majority of teenagers using those words are largely unaware that they could be
perceived as hurtful. The Non-Discrimination Ordinance would ensure awareness about
the use of derogatory language, and the trickle down effect at the teenage level would
allow Bozeman High School to be a community of awareness and understanding rather
than ignorance and apathy. Furthermore,the Ordinance would prove to young people in
Bozeman that the community they are growing up in recognizes equality regardless of
sexual orientation or identification.
Bozeman is an oasis from the rest of the world in terms of the sense of
community, acceptance,and empathy that is fostered here. Without the Ordinance,we are
only allowing a sentiment of hostility and malice to grow. It must be established on paper
that Bozeman is not a place of wanton intolerance,but rather of love and sensitivity. In
order to carry out Bozeman's legacy for future Bozemanites like myself,the Non-
Discrimination Ordinance must be passed. It will only make the oasis of Bozeman that
much greener.