anatomy of a gay Vietnamerican by thai ta (continued)
				PREVIOUS PAGE
						MY WORLD
	Clayton:  The Vietnamese community, especially the leaders now are asking our generation to take charge, to take on the leadership role, to bring our community up front.  My advice is if you want to encourage people to do something for the community, you have to have open arms to welcome them, regardless of whether they are women, gay, bisexual, or lesbian.  People are people.  We're at a point in history that we can do something here.  The Vietnamese community is the fastest growing community in America, and yet we are under-represented.  The reason is that young people are very reluctant to come out.  The minute you show your true color, you're chastised.  My advice for the younger generation is truly be who you are.  If you can't love yourself, if you don't have a strong sense of identity, there's not much that you can do. Troy:  When you discriminate a gay or bisexual person, I think you should think and say to yourself:  Would anyone ever consciously think, "Oh, I want everyone to hate me, I want people to think I'm a weirdo." ?  No! Some people would think that gay people choose to be that way, and they could be changed or corrected.  I don't need to be corrected because I am correct! Benny:  Please give love and support to gay people. Ha:  We are individuals.  Have respect for one another.  You don't have to approve, just respect, and maybe try to understand each other better. Tuan:  We are your friends, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, we are part of you.  Accept each other's differences and make this a better place to live in. Andy:  Just because you're gay, doesn't mean you're a flaming queen.  There are a lot of gay people with balanced lives, mentally, spiritually, and professionally.  We are here to stay. Linh:  Don't pass judgement if you don't understand, if you don't wear the other's shoes. Thanh:  Gay people are the same as heterosexuals.  We have the same kind of emotions, capacity to contribute to life.  Be open-minded.  Accept us for who we are.  To gay readers out there, you have to have courage, self acceptance, and a support system. Chuong:  Homosexuality is not a sickness.  If you're gay, be strong! Jonathan:  We all know somebody in our life who's gay.  What matters is who they are, not what they do behind closed door. Tony:  I don't go around saying, "I accept you because you're heterosexual".  I look at people as individuals.  And I expect the same.  Homosexuality and heterosexuality shouldn't be an issue at all. Michael:  Tolerance.  Education is important.  We should look at each other and learn more than judge.
							MY WORLD