(no subject)
Dec. 12th, 2006 12:24 amJust watched Wedding Wars on A&E. A very cute movie that dealt with the issue of gay marriage wonderfully. I wish there were more shows out there that presented both sides of the issue in such a way as to be aproachable to all people.
My family thinks I'm very strange for being so passionate about gay rights. They keep asking if I'm gay, or bi and just not telling them. They just can't seem to understand why I would be so - firm - in my belief otherwise.
I don't know how to explain to them that for me, gay rights is as important to our country as black rights, or women's rights. A very large minority of people are being desicriminated against, simply beccause of something they do that is outside the norm. Black people were treated poorly becuase they looked different. Women are still seen as second class citizens in a large part of the world.
So why is gay rights my call to arms? I don't know. I do know that when I was younger I, too, had a lot of prejudice. Then I read a book that was written with a gay character as the lead, and it literally changed me. One of my best friends when I was younger was gay. We used to do everything together, and I trusted him like I rarely trust anyone. We drew apart over time, but I still think of him fondly.
I don't know if I'm going anywhere with this. I know there are a lot of people out there who oppose gay marriage, who oppose gay people in general. I can respect that, just as I am forced to respect the right of people to hate black people or women. But I think it wrong when our country wants to make bigotry legal. This is supposed to be a land where everyone is equal. And sadly, I'm finding it more and more a land where you are equal only to those like yourself.
I know my family will never understand my passion for something that does not affect me directly. But all I can say in answser to that is that something that hurts my fellow man, does affect me. And I would hope it always will.
My family thinks I'm very strange for being so passionate about gay rights. They keep asking if I'm gay, or bi and just not telling them. They just can't seem to understand why I would be so - firm - in my belief otherwise.
I don't know how to explain to them that for me, gay rights is as important to our country as black rights, or women's rights. A very large minority of people are being desicriminated against, simply beccause of something they do that is outside the norm. Black people were treated poorly becuase they looked different. Women are still seen as second class citizens in a large part of the world.
So why is gay rights my call to arms? I don't know. I do know that when I was younger I, too, had a lot of prejudice. Then I read a book that was written with a gay character as the lead, and it literally changed me. One of my best friends when I was younger was gay. We used to do everything together, and I trusted him like I rarely trust anyone. We drew apart over time, but I still think of him fondly.
I don't know if I'm going anywhere with this. I know there are a lot of people out there who oppose gay marriage, who oppose gay people in general. I can respect that, just as I am forced to respect the right of people to hate black people or women. But I think it wrong when our country wants to make bigotry legal. This is supposed to be a land where everyone is equal. And sadly, I'm finding it more and more a land where you are equal only to those like yourself.
I know my family will never understand my passion for something that does not affect me directly. But all I can say in answser to that is that something that hurts my fellow man, does affect me. And I would hope it always will.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 12:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 09:21 pm (UTC)I've bookmarked it now for Friday now. I won't miss it twice.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-13 02:01 am (UTC)