Equality Rant

I’ve spoken briefly about how I don’t understand homophobia, or any sort of bigotry, be it racial, religious, etc.  But today, I’m going to delve further into the issues surrounding marriage equality, to explain my views in more depth.

A friend recently commented on an email I sent to him where I vehemently ranted about religious zealots and their hatred of the LGBT community.  Here’s what I said in my email:

“. . . I am anxiously awaiting the day when LGBT people don’t have to fight these ridiculous battles anymore.  They’ll still encounter homophobia in places, I’m sure, but they shouldn’t have to fight for the inalienable HUMAN RIGHT to be married to whomever they choose, or to receive the benefits from a same sex partner’s insurance, when said partner dies!  It’s the religious zealots who are so frightened of the equality of it all.  Well, FINE!  Don’t be gay, then!  If you truly think it’s a choice, then choose NOT to be gay!  It doesn’t affect you in any way, shape, or form if two men love each other and want to marry!  Especially if they live four states away and will probably never run into you!  What the hell do you care?!  Go pay attention to your own life and family and stop sticking your damned nose in other people’s affairs!”

He thought it was funny that I was so riled up over this, and wondered when I became so concerned about LGBT equality.  I told him that my mother had gay and lesbian friends while I was growing up, but I never knew them as anything more than friends of hers, so I’ve ALWAYS considered them equal (Thank you, Mom, for teaching me that!).

And, quite honestly, that’s what they are.  Equal.  If two men (or women) fall in love and want to be together, it’s really NO DIFFERENT than when one man and one woman do it.  Why some people can’t (or won’t) see that is beyond me, and honestly, really pisses me off.  I’m sure the homophobes (for really, what else can we call them?) wouldn’t like it if some other narrow-minded group of people stuck their noses in the homophobes’ bedroom to find out the kinky sex stuff that goes on (or doesn’t go on) in there.  For crying out loud, there are some people who will think you’re a prude for not exploring any positions other than the missionary one, just as there are those who think that’s the only “proper” position to use for fornication.

Bottom line is, it’s NOBODY’S business but the two people in the bed (or three, or four, or whatever).

And despite what these bigots think, LGBT people aren’t concerned with wanting to flamboyantly display their sexual orientation.  For the most part, anyway.  Yes, there will be those who want to wear their preference out on their buttless chaps for everyone to see, but why is that any more offensive than some person on the bus wearing a huge golden crucifix and carrying an equally large bible?  Or someone walking up to you on the street, trying to foist their religious reading material onto you?  The LGBT community aren’t interested in converting anyone to their way of life.  They’re simply concerned with having the same inalienable rights as EVERY OTHER HUMAN BEING on this planet!  And that’s exactly how they should be treated . . . like a human being.

I recently attended an informational meeting put on by PFLAG, that was quite eye-opening for me.  During the meeting, I learned that there are 29 states where people can actually be fired from their job for being openly gay!  That number rises to 34 states if you’re Transgender, or if you decide to dress not within the “acceptable” confines of gender roles.  For example, if I wanted to wear dress slacks that look mannish, a man’s dress shirt and a tie, I could be fired in 34 states.  What lunacy is that?!  Why is someone’s sexual preference (or clothing preference) a deciding factor in whether or not they can do the job they’ve been assigned to, especially since sexual harassment has been banished from the workplace?

It’s that sort of crap that just pisses me off!  We’re in the 21st century, people!  How is it that some seriously outdated, archaic rules are STILL allowed in our government (state or otherwise)?!

And I’m here to tell all who are afraid of LGBT people, homosexuality has been going on for CENTURIES!  It’s even been proven to happen in other species in our world.  Why are there some beings attracted to a same sex partner?  Who knows?  But, more importantly, what business is it of yours?

I actually heard an uber-religious person tell me that “. . . there’s no scientific evidence to support that people are born gay.”  Well there’s no scientific evidence that people will be born closed-minded either, but that still happens, doesn’t it?

And for the religious people who claim homosexuality is against God’s wishes?  Well, if you think your God is against it, let HIM deal with it.  Just like most other places where religious people stick their noses, IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, because YOU ARE NOT GOD!  Besides, statistics show that 9 out of 10 people know at least one person who’s LGB or T.  The meeting I attended for PFLAG said it’s probably more like 10 out of 10, and I would agree.  Someone might be hiding it, because they’re afraid of the possible ridicule, but that doesn’t mean they’re not.

The one great thing about all of this anti-LGBT nonsense is that it’s on its way out.  Like any other equality movement, it’s a slow process, and ridicule, bullying, and hate crimes will still happen along the way (unfortunately), but I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Granted, I’m not LGB or T, so their perspective might be different than mine, but there have been so many signs lately that let me know–without a doubt–that more equality is on the horizon (for this issue, anyway).

So watch out all of you who are afraid of the LGBT community, or are trying to blame the “state of the world” on them.  To paraphrase a slogan from the 90s: They’re here, they’re queer . . . get used to it!

In addition to the movies and TV shows that showcase LGBT people, there are also the great strides for equality in the military.  14 states now have marriage equality (YAY!), and the Supreme Court is going to vote any day now on the issue as well.  The Boy Scouts just took a HUGE step toward accepting the LGBT community, and there are even some sports figures that are either coming out, or verbally showing their support for people of all sexual orientations.

There are also more and more organizations like PFLAG popping up that offer support for those who are affected by the current state of things, as well as education for others, so that to be LGB or T isn’t considered such a “taboo” or “abomination” in our society.

And I’m seeing all sorts of great videos posted on FB (like this one here), that showcase everyday people finding unusual ways to offer their support for equality of ALL people.  When I see videos and stories like these, it helps me to know that there IS a change a-coming, and it’s definitely for the better.