Often times, especially in the South, we're raised to think one way and one way only. If you deviate from that, you run the risk of being shunned even from your family - the people who are supposed to love you through thick and thin no matter what. It's so bad in some situations that people end up living a lie their whole life because they're afraid of the repercussions. In the worst cases, it results in depression and even suicide. This is heartbreaking, especially considering that the solution could be as simple as people opening their minds and accepting that other people have a different point of view.
This is one reason education is so important. The reason some people are stuck in old mind sets is because they haven't had the education or the chance to learn any better. Times have changed and are continuing to change rapidly. If we don't progress with it, we suffer. Our generation has had a completely different life experience than our parents and especially our grandparents. It makes communication and understanding more difficult, but it is vital that we find a way to bridge this gap.
Granted, some people are stubborn and will never change their minds. This is when both parties have to determine what is more important - keeping your pride and losing a loved one or losing your pride and keeping a family member or friend. You don't have to agree with their lifestyle or participate in it. Sometimes just letting them know that you don't hate them and won't shun them because they have a different view is all it takes. You don't have to be a part of what they do. You just have to love them through it. God loves the sinner not the sin.
It won't be easy. Acceptance can be hard, especially when it comes to something you've been taught your whole life to hate. Self acceptance is even harder, and some people can't achieve that without the support of their loved ones, which is why it's so important that we support each other and, whether you agree with them or not, accept them for who they are.
