I know
what you're thinking. Don't worry...this isn't going to be a
religious diatribe. I've had too many of those in my life and
I'm well aware that you can't win against someone who firmly
believes in their own sainthood.
I
believe that God put me here to
be happy and to make others happy...and until He
tells me otherwise, that's what I will continue to believe.
Hmmm...there I go being defensive again. Force of habit I
guess. It gets really tiring having to justify yourself all
the time.
I guess by now most people have heard the genes vs. choice argument. For those of you who haven't, here's the gist of it. One school of thought says that being gay is a genetic trait...something that you're born with...like blue eyes or that funny little crook in your pinky finger. The other claims that it is nothing more than a choice...a fashion statement...keeping up with the times. It seems like a big sacrifice to make to be in with the out crowd.
I guess by now most people have heard the genes vs. choice argument. For those of you who haven't, here's the gist of it. One school of thought says that being gay is a genetic trait...something that you're born with...like blue eyes or that funny little crook in your pinky finger. The other claims that it is nothing more than a choice...a fashion statement...keeping up with the times. It seems like a big sacrifice to make to be in with the out crowd.
I don't
think a lot of people know the reality of being gay. It's not
glamorous. It's not our attempt to idolize the Melissa
Etheridge's of the world or to emulate our favorite character
on The L-Word. It is who we are. And our greatest fear is the
same as millions of others in the world, whether they are gay
or straight, black or white. One simple word. One simple,
seemingly harmless word. Rejection.
For us,
rejection doesn't just mean a simple no. It's losing people
who you thought you meant something to. It's losing a job
where you thought all those promotions meant you were doing
well. It's facing inhuman violence from small-minded humans
because of what you do behind closed doors. We are not
perfect. There are deviants amongst us, just as there are in
the straight community...yet all of us pay the price.
That's the reality. It's a reality that frustrates and saddens. It's a reality that's there every second of every day. We can't change that. I can't change that...no more than I can change the fact that I was born with black hair or that I can roll my tongue. I am gay. Tell me something. Look deep within yourself and answer me honestly. If anyone could, how many people do you think would choose to live a life facing prejudice and uncertainty? How many people would choose to live a life of rejection? Do you still think it's a matter of choice?