I am ashamed to admit this, but growing up I used to be homophobic. It wasn't something I vocalized or consciously acted on but I admit I was. I have since examined and overcome this ignorance; it had to do with my own fears, my own insecurities...it had nothing to do with people who were attracted to the same sex. I have had the chance to ask questions of people who are bi, lesbian or gay and have grown a great deal as a result; I am thankful to these patient people who took my questions seriously and answered them no matter how poorly they were worded or how obvious they seemed. In the past couple years the tables have turned and I have found myself answering the same questions I once asked.
One that often comes into question is the legality of same-sex marriage, as in how do I feel about it.
There is so much hate in this world. One has only to turn on the TV, read a newspaper or magazine, or listen to the latest gossip to confirm this. I am of the firm opinion that love between consenting adults -- gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, monogomous, polyamorous -- should be valued and celebrated in all it's forms; no one type of love is worth more than another. In addition, in this country there are a great deal of legal rights afforded to married couples that are not to those who are not.
Some say it should be denied because marriage is a "religious institution." It appears no one denomination has a copyright on it; religion has it's own rituals and beliefs in regards to it. No religious affiliation is required; just a state-issued marriage license.
I think it is an abomination in this country that it isn't safe to express sexual or relationship orientations other than heterosexual, monogmous. If same sex couples, triads, etc want to express affection for each other just as heterosexual couples would in a similar situation...why not?
This is not to say that everyone in a same-sex relationship wants to get married; just as in the heterosexual or monogomous populations, it varies. Some do, some don't. But the choice should be theirs in the relationship to make, not anyone elses'.
Times change. People change. I like to think we learn and grow individually and as a society. It used to be illegal for women to vote, unacceptable for them to wear pants or own property. Obviously we now know that gender has nothing to do with one's ability to run a Fortune 500 company, wear pants, run a country, or race a motorcycle. The same has happened in regards to other minorities. Homophobia is an old, outdated notion. Time has changed; it's time we did, too.
I believe everyone has a right to their own beliefs and to have their personal beliefs respected; however, when those beliefs are imposed on others or impede the rights of others' access to happiness, love, and the pursuit of success...then it is a problem. This needs to change; it isn't right. It never has been.
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You have a typo in "straight".
And, I was transphobic when I was younger and now I'm mostly-lesbian and a peer counselor for GLBT youth. *shrug*
Thank you for the head's up on the typo. As I tell teachers: just because I can write doesn't mean I can spell. *lol* I really appreciate feedback that helps my writing, so I really appreciate that. I'm going to go fix that now.
I realized I was homophobic one day when I was introspective (as I often am), noticed that about myself and wanted to change it. I'm also thankful to my friends who, when I asked questions never asked why I was asking them, but just answered them (no matter how dumb or ill-worded they might've been) & just let me learn & become a better man. That never included a switch in my sexual orientation but some growth between the ears.
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"Freedom is an expensive thing." ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I think I was generally pretty intelligent as a kid - I don't think I was genuinely transphobic, and not past the age of 11 or so. But I do clearly remember making a rather nasty remark about transgendered people when they came up in a conversation. To my defense I was just going along with the other girls, but still. Ah well, we all have our past foolishness.
I was homophobic as a kid... most likely because I day dreamed of kissing girls when i was 9. :))
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
In cognitive psych class we discussed that as a type of defensive mechanism (professing hate/disgust/dislike for something so no one knows they do). I hope in the future this world will become a better place in regards to who is gay/lesbian/bi.
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"Freedom is an expensive thing." ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
If there would be anything to bring a fast solution to eradicate the root of ignorance, the key lies in proper education.
Kids need to receive a no nonsense reality image of what they can expect or turn into themselves before they get into passing their confusing puberty stage in life.
I sincerely hope my eduction never ends. In this I don't mean the type that has tests & term papers -- can't wait till that is over. I refer to personal growth. I know no matter how hard I try, I can never be an expert in anything for there is always more to learn.
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"Freedom is an expensive thing." ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.