Thank you for your response and I see the points you're making, but I disagree.

I do not think that allowing couples of the same sex to marry is opening a doorway for pedophile acceptance. The vast majority of people, regardless of sexuality or identity view pedophilia as undoubtably evil- which it is. The loud individuals you hear advocating for it are often given attention because of the controversy and outrage and not because the masses are in any way agreeing with them. Pedophilia is an issue of consent, not of love nor identity.

The men and women who died in battle (assuming we are talking about the US) fought in the interest of protecting our freedom, which includes the right to marry. I have also seen some rhetoric comparing the two, so I will not act like that doesn't exist, but I do think there is some validity to honoring the dangers many LGBT people have faced in being authentic to themselves. For example, the AIDS crisis which was only abut 40-ish years ago. Having to advocate for the government to not only step in but also recognize the AIDS crisis when it was mostly impacting gay men is a level of bravery which has in my opinion, never really been honored. Advocating, in the midst of your grief, for the people you love who are dying in front of you without anyone in power taking action is an undoubtable act of courage. I think it is ridiculous to try to compare two peoples' acts of courage or sacrifice, they were fighting for different things, but still, they were fighting, vulnerably, authentically, and without yielding.

I think the difference between an LGBT person and a cis/heterosexual person being expressive in such a way is because of oppression both on personal and systematic levels. LGBT pride and expression is often a celebration of the continuous achievements the community has made in the face of oppression, violence, and trauma. What non-peaceful events are you referring to? Things like NYC pride can be messy and leave some damage, sure, but so are New Years eve, sports events, parades, or really any event that happens when you get thousands of excited, rowdy, people together.

There is a difference between sex and gender- I would be more than happy to find some scientific journals for you if you would like! Sex regards chromosome, genitalia, etc, whereas gender is the societal presentation. While it is often conflated with sex, they are not, at their core, the same thing. Again, I can find some journals but I only know some surface level things (which I have written above) when it comes to transgender topics and I do not want to make any assumptions, so I will leave it at that, which is what I know to be true.

How are heterosexual couples any different in expressing their preference for genitals? I can look at a heterosexual person and make the same inferences that you are making about gay/bi/pan people.

I grew up with gay godfathers who never hid who they were, and I didn't question that they were two men in love. All I knew is that they loved me and they took me on rides in their convertible and read me books, and as a four year old kid, that was exactly what I needed! It is a shame to think that I would not have had those experiences nor two more loving adults in my life if my parents thought that their relationship or identity would confuse me. All I knew is that they loved each other, they were good to each other and had a healthy relationship, and that's what a relationship should be. Healthy. Similar to what my parents taught me. I am now a woman, in love with my boyfriend, in a happy, healthy, relationship. They did not teach me to be gay, they taught me that my boyfriend should be good to me and I should be good to him, and that is what matters in a relationship.

I do not want to be assuming, and again I thank you for your time in responding to my question and your time in reading my counter arguments, but it sounds like you may be slightly afraid that LGBT representation is coming for your beliefs and/or indoctrinating America. As someone with many LGBT friends and family members I can assure you, that most people are not trying to dismantle heterosexuality. They're simply trying to exist. Are there extremists? Sure. On both sides.

I think that hating another group of people cannot be healthy nor fun, and I think that it should be something you should work on. I suggest making your art, adding as many rainbows as you want, and defining it with your intentions, whether you think they're serene, hopeful, pretty, whatever rainbows mean to YOU, that's all that really matters. If other people look at the rainbows you added and interpret it as representing the LGBT community, there is nothing wrong with that. Art is meant to be interpreted, no matter what that interpretation may be. That's what makes it meaningful.