Inward reflection is always necessary when the values learned during childhood become outdated.
Growing up in the Caribbean – a society similar to the South – I was educated early on why homosexuality was wrong in God’s eyes. I read Leviticus 20:13, I heard about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and I soon internalized this view. But this past summer, I researched the subjects of gay rights and homosexuality with a few questions in mind.
What are gay rights, what makes a homosexual identifiable and why does American society deny them certain rights?
“I call it human or equal rights,” said Kent Filbel, an openly gay communication studies professor. Filbel added that people typically associate the term “gay rights” with “special rights,” which are essentially the right to be without fear of discrimination.
I learned quickly that homosexuality has no face. Around the same time of my awakening, R&B sensation Frank Ocean publicly came out, admitting that his first love was a man.
The revelation was a shock, but reaffirming. Ocean sang about women, driving fancy cars and all of the things straight men are supposed to admire as dictated by our culture. There were no indicators of the burdens – like hiding his sexuality – Ocean had to carry.
This revelation proves that your brother, sister, friend or anyone else that you come into contact with on a daily basis could be fostering similar feelings. After all, they are humans – not some other species as our cultures can lead us to believe.
So why are they still denied certain rights?
The denial of same-sex marriage obviously comes to mind. Marriage has lost its flavor. By most statistics, the divorce rate hovers at or above 50 percent, people get married multiple times and single-parent homes are not uncommon.
So what are we, as a society, to do about homosexuals? Should we round them up like one North Carolina pastor suggested, or continue to ignore the issue and place it on the back burner where it’s been for centuries?
Call me a passive Christian, but if God made us who we are, then let Him be the judge of how we express our sexuality.
Though still not a leading issue, gay rights have seen some light in the Obama administration.
On Sept. 20, 2011, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was repealed, making it possible for gays and lesbians to openly serve in the armed forces.
In May of this year, President Barack Obama became the first president to publicly voice support for same-sex marriage. Kameron Kilchrist, a biological engineering senior and member of Spectrum, the University’s LGBT club, praised the president for helping the cause.
“We really work to create lasting friendships among students from different majors and perspectives,” Kilchrist said.
Kilchrist acknowledged he has been amazed by the support he received from students and faculty alike.
Change is always hard, even for me, and it is especially necessary if it hinders the liberties of others.
My name is Tesalon Felicien, and I am no longer homophobic or ignorant about gay rights.
Tesalon Felicien is a 21-year old mass communication junior from St. Lucia.
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Contact Tesalon Felicien at [email protected]; Twitter: @Tessfel