Why do some in society spend countless years trying to tell people how to live their lives?

As someone living in modern day America, I have come to take for granted how much more accepting people are of differences and different lifestyles, but I am fully aware that there are those who prefer that we return to the dark ages and that they dictate how people should live their lives.

I am realizing that we must work to silence who block progress, and I had the honor of getting involved in the activism that the Gay-Straight Alliance Network was organizing for youth in Fresno.

Additionally, the Fresno chapter of GSA Network convinced me to work with the Statewide Advocacy Council which consisted of 10 to 20 young people from all across California.

High school students from all around the state are banding together to initiate legislative action and gain the rights that they ultimately deserve. The Queer and Trans movement has been active for centuries now. Recently, it has become more socially active in — restoring justice, protecting the rights of students and keeping them in schools instead of prisons.

We are committed to making lots of changes for students who are LGBT and/or disabled who are being pushed out of schools and into juvenile detention for ridiculous reasons or sometimes, for no reason at all.

Working with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, in both the Fresno region and the Statewide Advocacy Council, taught me how to vigorously pour passion into my beliefs. In 2014, the Gay-

Straight Alliance Network proposed a bill pertaining to the rights of transgender individuals in California.

This bill, commonly known as the School Success and Opportunity Act, or more formally, Assembly Bill: 1266, would give transgendered people freedom to use restrooms, play sports and use the locker room facilities which match up with their gender identity.

I joined other individuals to lobby for this bill in 2014. There were, of course, backlash from those opposed to according transgender students that right, causing concerns that those the law are meant to protect could suffer because of it. It was a long fight, but the bill passed and and because of it, transgender individuals like myself now have access to public restrooms.

However, it hasn’t always been a complete success for other folks; in fact, there have been quite a few downfalls. As a member of this movement, it has been quite difficult for me to deal with those who aren’t open to the idea of same sex couples or the queer and trans movement itself. No matter how much I try to stay positive, I continue to hear the negative comments and I must use all of my mental strength to not throw back derogatory and hurtful words at them.

Activism has been taking place for centuries, and it is possible you know someone who is involved or you may even already be a part of it. It‘s important to know that this movement is highly impacted by our youth. The youth are currently turning it into a fight of a lifetime for the rights of all people — people of color, undocumented folks, disabled people and many more. The beneficiaries become the benefactors — all giving back to further protect the rights of others who are being disenfranchised.

Our ultimate goal — our brothers, sisters and everything in between will one day be protected by the law, free of discrimination. Until that day, some in our society will continue to battle for what is right.

It is important to know that people are slowly, but surely, opening their minds to differences. Being different is not and will never be a bad thing. There are always going to be looking down on others for the way they are born.

It is up to you to take a stand for what is important to you. Meanwhile, nothing can change you, so learn to accept and love yourself and the ones around you.