A recent article quickly caught my attention, and you probably know what I am talking about. The Times featured an article where one citizen interviewed another who was homosexual. Where do I come in on this matter? Speaking from experience and with much knowledge under my belt, I would like to explain to you information that was not provided in that article. Something that people should be aware of, since it is all around you, and you cannot escape the reality of it.
At first, I was going to become like an explosive projectile, and speak my mind on a variety of topics. I will do so, but in a way that is much more calm and collected. To begin my article, I would like to explain that I am not speaking from a totally biased point of view. The information that I am about to give you contains a lot of fact as well as opinion.
The title of the article, Choice vs. Nature, made me a little overturned. The article dealt with the topic of homosexuality, and to me that title does not define what it means to be gay. Being gay is not a choice, and I am sorry, but you cannot choose your sexuality. Perhaps it is easier for heterosexual humans to cope with the realization of their sexual orientation, but I come to wonder that basis behind the hate. Eliminate the choice out of the title, for it holds no purpose. Ask any homosexual teenager or adult, and they will explain that they did not choose the lifestyle that they are living. For you see, who would choose to live in such a way that is not tolerated, accepted, and is frowned upon my many people? Would you want to be laughed, called names, have objects thrown at you, or get to the point where you feel that life is pointless? Maybe not, but many homosexuals experience pain and hurt from their fellow peers and community.
Since when did nature have a say in your sexuality? I do not think that Mother Nature waved a magic wand telling all humans to be heterosexual. If you explain that God made man and woman, and does not permit two men or two women to be together, what if the person doesn't believe in God? Alternatively, what if they don't believe in religion or possess any faith? If you actually think about it, when you speak of God and homosexuality, you are being hypocritical in my eyes. The Church teaches that God loves and cherishes every human being and yet he doesn't adore someone who is gay? Aren't all gay people made in the image of God, and can't God foresee the future so he would ultimately know a person is gay before they can but the pieces together themselves?
I believe that the article was bias, and did not positively reflect both sides. In it, I read about a girl who believed that being gay was morally incorrect. She interrogated a young individual and asked questions, which were, in my opinion, obscene. I am friends with the interviewee, and to me, he seemed like an alien life-form, like a lost little boy. This is the exact opposite in reality. The person that I know has a deep grasp on the truth, is an extremely compassionate and warm-hearted individual and I am forever grateful that I have the opportunity to be friends with him.
The Editor explained that in order to be voiced, you must portray both sides of the argument. When was this established? A while ago, when there were debates were heating up about vegetarianism and cruelty to animals, citizens would reflect upon their own opinions. Heterotrophic humans did not have to see through the eyes of a vegetarian. Now that the topic of homosexuality comes across, we must be politically correct or else there will be chaos. Nevertheless, I am sorry. There is no way that a homosexual can see through the eyes of a person who does not believe in them. Speaking from experience, it is impossible.
However, I understand that not every person will agree with the lifestyle, and that is perfectly amiable. I have always respected people for their difference of opinion. In natural instinct, it is easy to judge people based upon first impressions. However, those people who I cherish the most, are ones who looked past my classification and knew me as a regular human being. Not as a minority of the world, for you might not know this, but homosexual individuals make up quite a large percentage of the world's population.
It is not a choice, nor is it an act of nature. It feels right, and as humankind, we all have the right to be exhilarated in ourselves. You will never understand unless you are gay yourself, and I would disagree with anyone who states otherwise. I believe that the author of the composition was trying her best to understand and sympathize with the interviewee and she should be noted for her efforts in trying to make people understand. Or at least evolve a greater understanding of the issue.
I probably won't foresee if this article will be published, and for that reason I will still be bewildered. I believe that humanity needs to hear what gay people have to say, what they think and feel, and what feels right for them. Only then will they realize. If I were to include a passage from a person who was "anti-gay", or interviewed someone who had the exact same opinion of me, wouldn't the whole purpose of this article be thrown out the window? It seems as different rules apply with articles involving homosexuality, and that hurts me. When will be learn and some to some sort of similar understanding?
Thank you for reading,
-TIKE
Editor's Note: I accept your rebuke, TIKE, that the Times has not made it a common practice to require "balanced" opinions in the articles we publish. You are totally correct. That said, I stand by this requirement for issues as hot and vital as the current one -- many more feelings can and already have been hurt over this debate than were hurt by anything said during the Animal Cruelty / Vegetarianism phase of this past summer.
I think you understand why: one's sexuality is much more deeply personal for most of us than the food we choose to eat, the vitamins our body needs, the tastes that we crave, by choice or by nature. Let us all continue to tread as carefully and as wisely as we can when we speak, as you have in this article. Thank you.
