The attitude towards “different” people is changing step by step, although the lack of tolerance for such is still present. The tight-knit community of the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Tolerance Initiative “Respect & Support” is not afraid to stand out: they bravely accept various challenges, break stereotypes and desire to achieve much more. They vocally challenge the deeply ingrained beliefs, awaken the desire to disregard stereotypes and learn about a person regardless of their age, gender, skin colour, origin, social status, religion, sexual orientation.
According to public surveys, a significant part of the country’s population would not want to live in a neighborhood with Roma, persons released from prisons and persons with mental disabilities, Muslims, homosexual persons and other social groups, according to the study of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania “Equality data: data collection, legal environment and improvement opportunities” in the report.
LGBT+ people face discrimination not only at work, but also in their immediate environment, when parents, after learning about their sexual orientation, stop communication. Today, private businesses and various non-governmental organizations and other institutions are trying to contribute to the reduction of discrimination by taking various actions.
They stick labels without even thinking
Antanas Robertas Zakarka, remembers that it was not easy to confess to his parents – he decided to do it just before reaching adulthood, but his parents received this news hostilely.
“Until I told my parents about my orientation, they were very hostile towards the LGBT+ community. However, later I realized that there is no need to hide who I am, especially from my parents. I decided to tell them about my sexual orientation a week before my 18th birthday – I wanted to make my first decision as an adult.
The first reaction of my parents when I told them was really negative – I also received such statements that I am no longer their son. However, later on, the parents started talking about this topic with other people, relatives, and the mother also talked about it with a psychologist. I can be happy that my parents finally accepted my homosexuality – now we have a very good relationship,” A. R. Zakarka recalls.
The guy says that the most difficult thing is that when people learn about sexual orientation, they often don’t even take the time to get to know each other and immediately stick labels based on stereotypes and prejudices.
“What’s really hard is that people tend to judge right away, no matter if you’re a very good person who helps others – some put certain labels without knowing you and without taking the time to do it,” about people’s negative prejudice, with which you have to face, says A. R. Zakarka.
In the guy’s opinion, it is necessary to talk about the LGBT+ topic, to fight against stigmas rooted in society.
“I think that with whom a partnership will be created – a representative of the same or opposite sex – is a personal choice of each person. However, it is important to talk about it, because there are still a lot of stereotypes in society, a lot of people tend to immediately judge you only based on your sexual orientation, boldly stick labels, even though they don’t know you at all and don’t even bother to get to know you.
This makes it really sad, because there are also situations when you save a person’s life or help in some other way, and those people or their relatives look at you as garbage, gossip, tell such events that never even happened, and thus take the easiest way – stick to it label”, says A. R. Zakarka.
Chose to help others
Despite the stereotypes and hostility, A. R. Zakarka chose a profession that is inseparable from empathy, compassion, the desire to help and communication with people.
A. R. Zakarka studying general practice nursing at the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences reveals that he chose this profession after seeing his mother’s example, and even as a child he was fascinated by the hospital environment, the respect that is felt both by patients and doctors.
“Even when I was little, I wanted to help others. I think my mother, who works as a general practice nurse, also had an influence on this – growing up I saw her as an example, I heard stories about how she helped people, and when she worked in the therapy department, I would come to see her work after kindergarten and school. At that time, I was impressed by the hospital environment, the respect felt by patients and doctors, and the opportunity to help others,” says A. R. Zakarka about his choice to study general practice nursing. A. R. Zakarka says that not only does he not feel rejected because of his sexual orientation, but he also receives support.
“I don’t get any hostile reaction from my classmates – in fact, others don’t even care, others just say that it’s good to have a friend with whom you can go everywhere and talk about the same topics,” says A. R. Zakarka.
A guy who works at the hospital says that he feels the same at job: “I’m not sure if all the staff would welcome my homosexuality, but I certainly get support from some colleagues who know about it.”
Relatives can help to cope with hostility
As society still lacks tolerance, openness and is often guided by stereotypes, members of the LGBT+ community often receive stinging retorts or offensive comments. A. R. Zakarka advises not to engage in discussions with such people, but to look for strength in the circle of friends and relatives.
“I would advise you to find good friends who will always support you. After hearing unpleasant remarks at work, on the street or elsewhere, I think it’s best to just ignore them – it’s important to accept the fact that there are all kinds of people and you don’t need to stoop to their level or engage in conflicts.
It’s better to simply ignore the biting remarks and look for strength in the family, among friends or relatives,” says A. R. Zakarka and adds that it is important to build tolerance in society, learn to accept others as they are and not blindly follow stereotypes.
“Tolerance teaches us to accept others as they are, without prejudices, looking at a person with curiosity and openness, wanting to know them, and not just agreeing to stick one or another label on them. Tolerance allows us to accept another person as he is, without trying to change him, without imposing our own perception of what is right and what is wrong,” A. R. Zakarka shares his thoughts.
