"I just finish watching Scandal and I'm sick to my stomach!! Every show now has homosexuals in it. I use to be excited to watch Teen Wolf with my nephew on Monday nights... I had to tell him that it's no longer a show he can watch because the wolves are gay!! It's ridiculous and disturbing to me. I don't want or need to see that. It is a choice, a lifestyle but it does not need to be a part in every show! My opinion!"
This was posted on a popular social media platform last month. I know, stupid stuff gets posted all the time on Facebook and what have you. But this was actually done by someone I know. Someone that I had welcomed to my house.
I wonder now, what went through her head when she was at my place and I hugged my husband affectionately? Did it make her sick to her stomach? I mean, she is pretty clear in her message: She does not want to see it.
Why did she come to my house in the first place? She knows I'm gay. I had no clue whatsoever that she harbored these kind of feelings against an entire population. If I knew beforehand, I would have told her that she was not welcome. If I found out during her visit, I would have asked her to politely leave.
I have done it before. A couple of years ago, a friend of a friend was visiting. She expressed that it disgusts her when she sees two man kissing or holding hands on the train. At first I thought she was making a joke, but she was serious! I kindly asked her to leave.
I'm not sure if you have experienced something similar, but let me tell you -- it is really an unsafe feeling when you realize that someone had access to your private world, meanwhile having hateful feelings towards the composition of your existence. You suddenly then realize, that even in the comfort of your home, you have to deal with hate and intolerance. How would you feel, regardless of whether you sympathize with gay people or not?
It is hurtful as well and even more so because she seemed such a nice person, socializing with my friends, making jokes, and being friendly. She was merely tolerating me and it hurts like hell. She probably does not even realize the impact she has with her comments. And I actually understand, that a strict religious background will taint your opinions in ways that are not of this day and age.
One of her responses, when confronted with her post, was that she did not intend to hurt anyone and that it is just the way that she were raised. How is that a good reason? So you mean to say that it is OK to have these thoughts because your parents told you so?
Where I come from, when I was young, we used to joke about and make comments on all sorts of people: black, Jewish, gay, Belgium. Also, I was raised with Black Pete (see one of my previous columns). So according to her reasoning, I should defend that? Hell no! Some things are just simply not alright and should be fought against!
One of her later comments in the post: "People choose that lifestyle; that's not my business. Keep it on the LOGO channel. That's a channel that caters to the lifestyle and you have to choose to watch." Say that again? Do you really think that someone in their right mind would choose to be gay? Knowing that there is still so much intolerance and even in some careers you are totally screwed if people find out you are gay? It truly is not a choice and people are born with their sexual orientation. Or do you mean to say that it is a psychological disorder? I hope not.
"Keep it on the LOGO channel." What does that mean? So gay people should go back in hiding and never become part of main stream? You are talking about human beings, with real feelings of love and affection for other people who want to live their lives just like anyone else. Gay life is part of main stream already whether you like it or not.
By the way, did you know that most gay bashings and other violence against gay people are committed by men and women who have feelings for their own gender, but cannot express it? Exactly because of the fact that the communities that they belong to are not accepting of gay people?
She continues: "Most people are scared to say anything against the lifestyle in fear that they will be crucified. They are well protected these days." I'm sorry honey, but just because of the hate you are sowing here, gay people do not feel safe at all. These type of comments do not do anything for the community other than spreading intolerance and putting us back in the middle ages.
Someone else comments: "Chileeeeeeeeee I was just thinking the same thing. I was kinda alright when will & Grace did it but this is tooooooooo graphic." Of course, it is ok as long as we can make fun of gays and don't have to deal with real gay feelings. I recall when this was done all over the world not so long ago with another population. Don't you see that history is repeating itself here?
My acquaintance continues: "There people who don't have a problem with homosexuals and feel the same way I do!" This is actually funny! So there are people who get sick to their stomach by watching two men kiss and do not have a problem with homosexuals? I think someone needs mental assistance here.
I rest my case.
Yako
