Why is my human right as a gay American up for public and/or political debate???
I don’t usually rant on this blog. I usually strive to keep it positive. I’ve created blogs in the past that got into endless rants and criticisms, so I guess I am digressing here, but I just wanted to share with readers something I’ve thought about here and there for awhile that I just needed to comment on. I’m sure some of you will be nodding your head ‘yes’ furiously as you read this post!
So, here goes…
Why is it that my human rights are subject to endless public and/or political debate? Why are my rights ‘up for grabs’ or ‘needing to be negotiated’ rather than ‘inalienable’ or ‘assured’? After all, straight folks don’t have to go through all this crap. Why in the world does someone outside myself have power over my PRIVATE thoughts, feelings and decisions when it comes to who I love, and how I express my love towards that person? Why is it that no one seems to care about the many ‘costs’ associated with denying me my private right as a citizen of the United States to create the love life I desire?
If you are straight, just imagine for a moment, what it would be like to live in a world where people discuss your right to be, to love who you want, to work where you want and be your self, etc. Even worse, imagine a world where people dictate to me who I can love and prevent me from openly doing so? Can you imagine what it would be like to fear walking down the street holding your spouse’s hand because you know if you did you might be mocked, beaten up or even killed??? Welcome to my reality and the reality of all GLBT Americans.
If you are straight, imagine what it is like to have to lie about who you are, when you profess to be a truthteller?
Welcome to my world!
Now, some of you might be saying: well, we get to tell you who you are and how you can live your life because sexual orientation is chosen, unlike other minority statuses such as gender, ethnicity, age, etc.
I beg to differ. We really DON’T know, FOR SURE if sexual orientation is something people choose or, have control over. Even if studies show that sexual orientation, to some degree, is the result of environment, that still doesn’t prove that a person has control over their sexual feelings and/or who they fall in love with/are attracted to.
There are many studies coming out (and being done) right now that seem to indicate that a person’s sexual orientation is a very complex part of who someone is. Thankfully, I doubt we’ll ever be able to absolutely control for sexual orientation. Thank the goddess or god and goddess or gods and goddesses for that!!! 
We humans may be smart but thankfully we’re not THAT smart!
Studies are showing some very strong evidence that sexual orientation is largely NOT CONSCIOUSLY CHOSEN. Many credible studies are showing strong PRE-NATAL influences, meaning, if anything, we need to blame mom (or the parents)!!! Just kidding…
Why is it that people get their panties in a wad about that reality?
And, if you believe in a literal translation of some religious text, just know that not everyone does so and, we live in a country that separates religious belief and practices from individual civil rights (and it should separate religious beliefs from the rights of two individuals who love each other to form a bond that protects them from the vicissitudes of life).
Also – we could get into a great discussion some day on the ‘infallibility’ of your religious text. But, regardless, I respect your right to practice your spirituality as you wish. But that doesn’t give you the civil right to deny me my equal rights because of your religious beliefs.
There are lots of christians who believe gayness is a natural and normal variation on the human race. If you are someone who used to believe all gays were sick or going to hell and you’ve changed your opinion on that, I’d love to hear from you.
We need to continue the dialogue, overcome lack of information, etc. and share with the world how you can come to believe that it’s okay to be gay and that the biggest tragedy is in denying gay people their right to pursue happiness as everyone else.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve come to understand…
Tags: coming out, gay pride, gay rights, Human Rights