Let's talk about sexuality. Let's talk about "The Gay Agenda." And you know what? While we are at it, let's talk about "The Straight Agenda." Let's talk about stigmas and actual questions. Let's talk about equality and all things attraction. Let's talk to some people who identify as LGBTQ+. And let's talk about, how at the end of the day, we're all human beings who love, laugh, hate and live.
The Gay Agenda
Dear readers, I have interviewed two people in the LGBTQ+ community. A bisexual male, Chris. And, a lesbian female, Jasmine. Below, I have their answers and my own brief commentary.
What is the gay agenda?
"There's no such thing as the gay agenda." -Jasmine
Here we have it, folks. The "gay agenda," what people have been questioning since the beginning. There is not such thing as it. The "gay agenda" is not some convoluted scheme to get into the minds of America's population. There is no agenda to begin with. It is not like LGBTQ+ individuals get together every Taco Tuesday to discuss world domination. Think for a moment what it would be like to be asked, or to ask someone, "What is the straight agenda?" It would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? It is equally ridiculous to ask that of a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Why would you want to be gay?
"It's not like I rolled out of bed one day and decided I was going to be this fabulous." -Jasmine
Homosexuality is not a choice. It is natural and innate to people in the same way heterosexuality is. Sexuality is not something that you wake up one day and decide on. It is simply a part of who you are. When was the last time you asked someone why they were straight?
What is it like coming out of the closet?
"Imagine jumping off the empire state building.
It's scary because you're afraid of all of the people you care about in the world looking at you differently for one thing." -Jasmine
Why is this so terrifying? Why do we live in a society where this is such a huge issue? LGBTQ+ individuals should not even need to come out of any proverbial closet. It should not be considered an idea of otherness. LGBTQ+ is sexuality. It is humanity. Simply because someone is more attracted to a man than he is to a woman, does not make him any less human. He still loves. He still breathes. He should not have to fear such persecution.
What is it like in the closet?
"Well, you're pretty much fabricating one giant lie and telling yourself it's okay. So pretty much. You're pretty much not yourself. And when you are, you're worried about people finding out. It's just a lot of pressure all the time." -Jasmine
Again, this fear is not acceptable. The fact that we live in a society that perpetuates this fear is even more unacceptable. As a whole, we need to learn tolerance. It saddens my heart to hear this answer. Why would you ever want anyone to be in this kind of pain?
Anything you need me to know about the dangers of being gay?
"Other than the fact that you're judged constantly persecuted and open to hate crimes that aren't even considered hate crimes in this state?"
-Jasmine
This question is posed back to you, readers. It was the answer I got, and now it is a question you must answer. What is there to fear? And, how can you help make our country an environment of with less of this fear? We are the land of the free, but who can be free when they are afraid of persecution, and quite possibly losing their lives? Who can be free when their very humanity is questioned? Who can be free when they are seen as so different than society? At the end of the day, we all face dangers, we all face fears. We all bleed red.
What is it like being bisexual?
"What's it like being straight?" -Chris
Exactly. Bisexuality is just like any other attraction. It's a valid attraction to either males or females at any given time. Just like being a lesbian is having a valid attraction to only females; just like being straight is a valid attraction to someone of the opposite sex; just like being gay is a valid attraction to only males. Attraction is attraction. There is no stopping it.
Is it a real thing?
"It's a real thing. We're just like unicorns and gremlins. Don't get us wet and don't feed us after midnight." -Chris
Many people see bisexuality as a phase, or as someone who 'just can't pick a side.' These people do not see bisexuality for what it really is. Chris finds certain women attractive, and he finds certain men attractive. This does not make him flip-floppy in attractions or decisions. And this does not make him polygamous or 'not really gay.' This makes him bisexual, but still human.
What is your favorite color?
"Blue." -Jasmine
"Red." -Chris
My favorite color is purple. What does this mean? This means we all have a favorite color. They are all different. We are all different. But, we all have a favorite color. I put this question here to pose to you as well. What is your favorite color? Perhaps it is blue, red, or purple, but maybe it's something else too. Whatever it is, you appreciate it. It is your favorite. You can appreciate your definition of beauty. I can appreciate mine. Chris can appreciate his. Jasmine can appreciate hers. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
How do you put your pants on in the morning?
"It depends on how sleepy I am in the morning. Typically, one leg at a time, two if I'm feeling daring." -Jasmine
"One leg at a time." -Chris
I do not know about all of you, but that's how I put my pants on too. I am fairly certain that 99 percent of the population puts their pants on in that same way, regardless of sexuality. So, if we all put our pants on one leg at a time, how are we so different? Jasmine, Chris, me, and you all have the same skeletal structure. We were all born from a mother, and we will all die one day. These things of life are things we share, so why are we still persecuting the 'other' when they aren't really other at all?
