Different types of discrimination I've encountered

It is no secret that society has problems with inclusivity. Those problems go way back from centuries and it shows how the human species might never be ready to change. Whether it'sexism, racism, homophobia or any type of discrimination that exists, the province of Quebec in Canada is no different from everywhere else. The prime minister, which should be the one to force changes, refuses to acknowledge that discrimination exists. I fully recognise that I can't be able to talk about certain things because I have the chance and privilege to not live them.

As a woman that uses a service dog for autism, that is part of the LGBTQ+ community and fights mental illness, these are quite big obstacles that society putted in the way. School might be the biggest place where ableism, homophobia and overall ignorance exist. The adults (mainly teachers and principals) in this place are not formed to act towards people who are not in the White, Straight, Able, Neurotypical, Cisgender category. The main example can be the PE class. Many autistic people are not known for their endurance. Some can also have motricity problems which can affect any type of physical performance. Those classes were supposed to be known as an easy one. Almost like a free 100% or A+ but for many it's not the case which doesn't help with self esteem. Imagine failing a class that is suppose to be the easiest because the programm is not adapted to your difficulties. You can find some teachers that you compare to jewels because their kindness is so rare but you need to spot them with your own instinct.

Homophobia is actually younger than homosexuality itself unlike the popular belief is. The term "homophobia" is the one mostly used when people describe discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community but there are others since it doesn't have only gay and lesbians. As a bisexual woman, I have experienced some biphobic comments:

"It's just a phase."

"I won't belive it until you bring another woman home."

"How can you be sure you're bisexual?"

It is no secret that the fact that being straight is the "norm" doesn't help. I never liked discrimination but this one makes me physically angry. People sexual preferences and gender identification are not anyone's business and shouldn't affect your life that hard. The phrase live and let live explains very well this. I strongly believe that if someone else's behaviour is not dangerous to other people or to itself, then you shouldn't be bothered that much. Conversion therapy is still legal in many places in the world and let's not forget that many countries will take very drastic measures to "remove that gay in a person" which is absurd and disgusting.

It was never a secret to me that my autism and the stigmas around it make it a lot more difficult to have a job than anyone else. It became more real when my service dog appeared. Employers say they want to be more inclusive but once it's time to act and they see what it truly means, suddenly they back off on this statement. Society is scared of the autistic community. The media only showing the extreme cases or movies like Sia's Music don't help. I do have a strong opinion on Sia's movie and her behaviour towards autistic people when the announcement was made. She clearly never wanted to help the community and doesn't want to rise their voices and listen what they have to say which is not a surprise. Humans want to change but will never help those changes become reality.

When an oppressed community talks and shares their experience, the oppressors will do whatever it takes to silence them and make it about themselves. A great example is men defining feminism. They don't stop saying that if you are a feminist, it's because you hate men and think you are superiour. A true feminist (non-radical ones) actually believes in equality between men and women. Let's remember how much White people wanted to prove that they were oppressed and Anti-White racism was real in the summer of 2020 when Black Lives Matter became a bigger movement. Another example is when the Straight people are so convinced that the LGBTQ+ community hates them and want to do hate crimes towards them. Let's make something clear. If you are a White, Cisgender, Straight, Able, Neurotypical man, you will never be oppressed. Of course every community lives their own oppression. As a white woman, I will never live racial discrimination but I can live mysoginy. They are not the same type of discrimination!

In my previous story, titled Service dogs part 1, I explained one type of discrimination we live which is the access issues but there are more. As I stated, my dog is one thing that stops me from getting a job. Employers are most of the time not informed about the strict training, rules and fantastic behaviours these dogs have. They think that I'm just wanting to bring my dog to work but I have it for a reason. I don't have this dog for fun I need this dog to make sure I can have an easier life. The small amount of people who have seen me before and after she arrived can clearly see a big difference one of them being a trainer which stated that I will always have a dog from now on.

If you encounter discrimination in any way, it's important to use your privilege and act. An oppressor will always listen to another oppressor. They think they are at a higher level and act only if someone on their level tells them. It probably won't make a big change, but for many communities who are discriminated, small victories are what actually counts and it makes us have a little bit more faith in humanity.