The Reason
I realize that I live in the 'Bible Belt' of America, but I loudly protest any bigoted activities. I speak not only of gay love, but also of love that crosses ethnic heritage. I have watched friends and family members fight the prejudice for as long as I can remember. The reality of this kind of discrimination disgusts (not a strong enough word, maybe revolts?) me. I am appalled that it can exist.
I have in my life seen some nasty things, but nothing breaks my heart more than looking at a dear (name withheld) friend of mine who has been disowned by their family. This friend has not only been denied contact with their parents, but also, their siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I do not understand how, but supposedly the people that brought my friend into this world, the people that raised and taught my friend about life, the people that are always supposed to be there, have now decided that my friend no longer exists. I have tried to talk to the parents in the past, but they are so caught up in their own prejudices that they deny the love of their child, and as I watch, my friend is becoming more bitter and withdrawn from his friends.
Similarly, I watched two very dear friends of mine, (names with held in honor of their families) die. One was sick with AIDS, the other died grieving his only love (he had a car accident, but the poor guy was on any extremely self-destructive course at the time). Both of their families accepted and supported their love for each other. Both surviving families are now fast friends. I used to spend quite a bit of time with these guys, and I was always appalled by how people would treat them as lepers, simply for HOLDING HANDS! ok so that dates me to be a little older, but in reality, it wasn't all that long ago that homosexuality was strictly frowned upon by one and all.
I, also, must call down my own family. I have two sweet cousins, whom until recently, my grandmother denied the existence of. Sadly, I know that there is still a lot of pain over that. I also was on the receiving end of a bit of this animosity, as I, a Caucasian female, dated a oriental man for a while.
I cannot understand the small minds that see uncrossable boundaries where emotions are concerned. I refuse to constantly stand by and watch as my friends are berated for their lifestyle choices. I have seen people loose jobs, and people quit jobs due to the pressure of their own or their co-worker's sexual preference.
And before anyone jumps on the name calling bandwagon, I am a single white female with a heterosexual preference. I also happen to be in college and trying to attain the lofty goal of being a computer engineer (or at least that is my current course of study). I am not some fix the world psychologist, nor am I perfect by any means. I just call it like I see it, and this is one thing that truly and completely infuriates me.
EGADS! I'm preaching, these are my opinions, and if I offend you, please feel free to vent your spleen on me, I am used to it, and I do enjoy true debates, name calling and blatant flames will be summarily deleted, but may occasionally be responded to (on days when I'm in a truly bad mood, that is, or if the note is particularly aggravating).
So feel free to email me: The_Eos@hotmail.com