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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The dangers of neglecting women and LGBTQ2S+ members of society

Mar 22, 2024 | 6:00 AM

WHILE THERE ARE INCREASING CONCERNS about a rise in anti-Semitism and general hatred and violence, gender-related issues are of the most concern to me.

Women have faced erosion of their basic rights in the past few years — rights that have taken centuries to obtain. Women are still being abused, trafficked, forced into the sex trade and with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe versus Wade, losing control of their own bodies. They still aren’t paid what they’re worth, shunted off to less meaningful jobs while incompetent men are put in their place. We should surely be raising a call to battle.

We males need to support this cry. Women should lead this battle and they are more than capable of doing so. But we as men should be a strong support and lobby group because it is something that is morally necessary. When basic human rights are ignored, all of us are affected.

Gay and lesbian relationships have been a part of society for centuries. They have traditionally been “behind the curtains” to avoid the consequences. But they are now more accepted in open society.

I am concerned even more, though, with transgender issues facing young people, in particular. Pride groups in schools are accepted but those who participate are, more often than not bullied, made fun of, even physically attacked. We seem to feel that the high school quarterback and the pretty cheerleader are the standard by which we set the bar for relationships. If a biological boy marks “she/her” on his gender identification, or “he/him” for biological girls, that’s a problem for those kids — a problem that very few are able to rise above.

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Despite the fact we claim to want a more inclusive society, that’s not happening. These kids are often lonely, hurt, intimidated. Friends among the general populace are harder to find. Many of these kids simply end their lives because they just get tired of fighting.

A recent BC Adolescent Health survey showed that while these gender-diverse teens make up only five per cent of the total number, they account for a great proportion of those who are struggling to maintain their physical and mental health. They don’t need parents to tell them what to do, they need parents to listen to their concerns and help them find resources to help give them the strength to deal with their issues. They need an anchor — not to drag them to the bottom of the sea, but instead to provide a secure base from which they can launch a successful life plan to be free to live in an environment that supports them and offers them hope.

We’re a long way from that right now.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.