Cross-posted at DailyKos
By now, we have all heard about Miss California's remarks on gay marriage. While I completely disagree with her belief on this issue, this is an opportunity to engage the nation, and many people that might not otherwise be engaged, in a serious discussion about the suffering, and the hopes, of American homosexuals.
I find this topic hinges on one major point: is homosexuality a choice?
They, as in the homophobic movement, tell us it is. That is why, they say, you cannot compare the gay rights movement to the civil rights movement in the 60's and 70's. They say, "It's different. You are born black, or brown, or white, or whatever, but you choose to be gay."
This, of course, begs the immediate question of, "When did you choose to be straight?" Think about yourself, whether homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual. If you are straight, you're not attracted to everyone of the opposite sex right? And at least once, in your lifetime, you thought someone was pretty fucking hot and your best friend thought your were nuts, right? Or maybe your friend thought someone was hot who you would not ever touch? But that's just physical attraction.
When we get into personal attraction the divide grows larger. You and your friend will likely disagree more often on who is personally attractive. And you definitely do not choose. You do not decide, out of nowhere, "Well, I really hate this person, and I find him/her ugly, but I think we'll get married." Okay, okay, gold diggers. Sure, but that's considered immoral isn't it? Are we not taught by our parents, our teachers, our role models, that we should marry the person we love? Not the person with money, or power, or fame. Not the person that will make your life easier.
What we are asking homosexuals to do, if they wish to get married, is to choose who they are attracted to both physically and personally. This is asking an unfair burden. This is asking a burden that is not asked of heterosexuals, any longer. It is segregation. And the truly disgusting side effects of this government sanctioned segregation are; the people who feel their hatred affirmed, the beatings, the murders, the rapes, the barrage of insults and humiliation, that often lead to suicide.
All this, because some people think that homosexuals choose to be that way, because they believe it is acceptable to hate something they deem a choice.
So, I will end with this. If it truly is a choice who you are attracted to, I should be getting laid way more than I do. If only I could choose to be attracted to anyone, I would never have to go without. Sadly, that is not the way the world works. I do not get to choose who I am attracted to.
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I appreciate your words and thoughts on the subject. We, in the gay community, have always been subject to ridicule and hatred based upon the ones that we love. It is still acceptable for public officials to ridicule us, to come out and say that we deserve fewer rights than any other group of people. Deserve? It is not a matter of deserve. We have rights! We are people! We should not have to fight for what others enjoy simply because they are straight.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the government get out of the marriage business altogether. They should be able to issue a license for a joining and let the churches deal with the idea of "marriage". When did they get involved anyway? Why should thye be involved at all?
Will you please talk to my brother for me? Because he and I were fighting over this very issue. He believes its a choice and I don't. The sad thing is he's supposed to be liberal!
ReplyDeleteLeon: Thank you. I completely agree with your last paragraph, sadly, the political reality is such that it would be seen as anti-marriage, something the gay community does not need. But ideally, we should have civil unions for all, and a strict rule that no church can tell another church who they can, cannot, or must marry.
ReplyDeleteAndrea: Ask your brother when he decided to be straight. Ask him how he "decides" which women he is attracted to.