Harsh Homophobia

WHY? – "Harsh Homophobia"
Current mood: accomplished

WHY? "Harsh Homophobia"
Michal Jones

"I believe in the sanctity of marriage."
Is there even such a thing anymore? What picture comes to mind when "marriage" is mentioned? For some, a happy little family. The wife stays at home, taking care of the house and children. Taking the kids to their soccer games, cooking the dinners, and making sure that her hard-working husband's cocktail is ready by the time he gets home.
But I grew up in a different situation, as many of us have. When I think of marriage, I think first of divorce, then of something that the people I love the most have to fight for. Imagine that. Homosexuals all around are fighting for basic rights. Don't tell us that you believe in the sanctity of marriage, Mr. President. That is not a justification for the laws you pass. You're simply a homophobe, like so many of your other right-winged friends, and there's nothing more to it than that.
Homophobia: insecurity about being heterosexual. Hatred of gays. Hatred of blacks. Hatred of people. Homophobia is just as bad as racism, sexism, or any other "ism" that I can think of. Discriminating against someone for something that they can't help. Constant discrimination. Let's imagine a different world.
"You're definitely going to hell…liking the opposite sex and all…"
"How, in God's name, could you be attracted to the opposite sex?"
"Oh, that is so straight!"
"The Supreme Court has today ruled against heterosexual marriage."
"President Bush's approval ratings have plummeted since he came out as a heterosexual just days ago."
Hard to imagine, isn't it? Being oppressed for sexual preference. Perhaps for heterosexuals, but not so much for homosexuals. We are ridiculed and denied rights that others are guaranteed. We are assumed sick and sinful because of our "unnatural" tendencies and preferences. Well let me just clear up that little assumption. If it happens in nature, then it is natural.
"Homosexuality goes against God."
Another common argument. The last time I checked, America is not a theocracy. Let's all just assume that everyone in the country is Christian. That wouldn't stop homosexuality. If God wanted us all to be the same, then why are we all so different? And why is it assumed that everyone in the entire country is of the same religion?
"Gay marriage is against the Constitution."
Yes, every good Patriot is loyal to that document. I guess I'm not very Patriotic, then. Why would the "pursuit of happiness" even be included in today's society. Maybe changes should be made to it, then. "Pursuit of happiness for all heterosexual, native-born Americans, except for maybe the colored ones."
Yes, I'm sure that Thomas Jefferson, who never gave his many slaves liberation before he died, can understand the ideas behind a so-called "pursuit of happiness". So, doesn't the denial of marriage rights to homosexuals also go against the Constitution? I thought that this document was supposed to protect basic rights. Come on, folks, let's be good Americans here!
Others may argue that homosexuals are not fit to raise children. They may poison their unnatural ways and/or even worse – turn them gay! How horrible! The most innocent people on earth, being exposed to such awful caretaking! It's obvious that any child that is raised by a gay person will be deficient in growth and development!
The way I turned out has nothing to do with whom I grew up with. It has to deal with my personal, unpleasant encounters of the past. My mother's "sickness" has not "rubbed off" on me, it simply means that I don't have to face the strong opposition and hatred that some gay kids have to upon coming out. I have been most fortunate.
Bad parenting is an equal opportunity phenomenon. It has absolutely nothing to do with race, gender, sexual identity or sexual preference. All of us who desire children are different, but all have a common interest: the children themselves. We bring children into the world because we want the experience of parenting. And that is not related to their identities.
From the moment I was born, I was taken under my mother's wing and she has showed me endless love and support. She gives endlessly and I do my best to give back to her. Our relationship needs work in some places, yes, but is stronger than any mother-daughter relationship I have seen. And homosexuals can't raise a child?
So tell me, heterosexual partners, how is it to be married with children and guaranteed about 1,100 more rights that others don't have? You probably don't know, because you don't think about it. You overlook the privileges you have like so many of us. I never thought we could reach that day where marriage was a privilege, but here we are now.
And who is gay marriage hurting, anyway? Who is it going to hurt? Is everything in society going to fall apart if gay marriage is legalized? Equal rights? God forbid! That would ruin everything in this country! What is this, anyway, a democracy?
Rights in this country should be given to all unless it puts others in danger. Please explain how gay marriage is harmful. Whose business is it but mine who I want to marry? The government should have no right to interfere with the pursuit of happiness, now should they? So… against gay marriage?
Then don't get one.