So, what is homosexuality? Let that word sink in for a moment. What does it mean to you? What images do you conjure from the words gay, lesbian or transgender? Do these images come with a stereotype, or a derogatory word - that once or twice in your life you may have used against someone, different to you? More importantly - why do we see these people as different? Is it to do with the way we've been brought up - parents who were born in an age where the status quo is not to be challenged. You get married, you have kids, an estate car - a dog, if that's what you fancy. You most definitely do not come out as 'gay'. OR does it come down to religious values? Religions on the whole - although becoming more tolerant, scorn homosexuality and have since the dawn of time. In most cases, being brought up around these religious values will inevitably leave you looking at homosexuality in a certain way.
Gay.
Lesbian.
Transgender
When the topic of homosexuality arises, especially between teenagers (normally males, sorry boys) you generally hear 'Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve'. To be sexually attracted to the same gender is just not right (unless you're watching lesbian porn, then that is okay). It's a lifestyle choice, a rebellion against strict parents, teachers, priests and a scream for attention to break from the majority.
Be honest. You've met a gay person on a night out, in the work place, in school. You've been speaking and you finally pluck up the courage to ask 'So...when did you know when you were gay?' in which the reply should be 'When did you realise you were straight?' (Here I'd like to give thanks to my anonymous source for raising this as the best response to that question I have ever heard). There are many arguments and views on this but mine is - we are born this way. We are genetically coded to be sexually attracted to whoever or whatever we are sexually attracted to. As a straight woman, I didn't wake up one day, hop out of bed, look in the mirror and think to myself 'I am attracted to men!' and carry on about my day. In the same way I am sure a lesbian woman, or a gay man wouldn't jump out of bed and decide that they were going to 'break the mould' and 'rebel' and just, as if by magic, be sexually attracted to someone of the same gender.
If you're reading this through a link I've shared on Facebook or Twitter you will regularly see things I share or post, clearly showing I am what you would call 'pro-gay'. In fact I am not 'pro-gay' I am simply PRO LOVE.
For me, I believe religion is somewhat accountable for the prejudice we still see in today's society. Christians for example have openly and happily condemned acts of homosexuality for years, and in America some religious companies even offering 'cures for the illness', which have included electric shock therapy, inducing nausea whilst being exposed to homoerotic material, praying, exorcism, trips to brothels for sex with women and even hypnosis. I don't know about anyone else, but this to me is just ludicrous. On what planet are we allowing these organisations to put people through such disgusting, harmful and degrading treatments in the 'hope' that they will be cured of their 'illness'.
Even in modern day we see disgusting acts of violence towards LGBT persons. Nigeria for example does not allow or recognise LGBT rights, and there is no legal protection against the discrimination of these people. A population of 170 million, split between a Muslim north and a largely Christian south. The maximum punishment for same-sex sexual activity in one of the 12 Shari'a Law north states is death upon stoning. In the south, 14 years imprisonment. Both absolutely ridiculous - but stoning someone to death for being themselves is just totally barbaric to me.
Is it to do with up-bringing? In the last century we have seen the fight for acceptance come on in leaps and bounds. However as little as 50 years ago, it was still seen as 'perverted' for same-sex sexual activity, or even relationships. Business was kept behind closed doors and this was definitely not news you would want your neighbours catching wind of. Has this mentality trickled down through the generations? Is it still polluting some young minds - causing the spread of hate rather than love and choice?
I don't know - but I don't believe we as humans, should be defined by what we are or what our sexual preference is. I don't know what my sexual preference has to do with anyone other than me. I don't know who that affects, other than me, or why any one else should be as interested in me, as me! So the next time you see a same sex couple, a gay pride event, or a trasgender man, or woman - don't look down your nose. Just smile.
No comments:
Post a Comment