People are diverse; it’s human nature. Diversity in sexuality is something that should not be hidden.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Currently, there are only six states where same-sex marriages are legal. Homosexuality is legal in all parts of the country. However, in the state of North Carolina, same-sex marriages aren’t recognized and are even banned. Why so much inequality?
Marriage can be a significant part of a person’s life. It can define a large part of a person’s life and who they want to marry should be completely up to them. It’s unfair that the government gets to choose who they have the right to marry.
In the United States, the six states of New York, Iowa, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. have legalized same-sex marriages. There are movements in other states, like California, to pass the rule. But, where I come from, in India, it was just two years ago that homosexuality was legalized.
People there are now coming to terms with the fact that homosexuality is a reality. Society is slowly beginning to accept that people may be different. If one isn’t married by a certain age, people begin to talk behind his or her back. Family and friends, some of whom may think homosexuality is evil or crazy, may push one into marrying the opposite sex.
It’s the lack of awareness that leads to problems. A few years ago, the concept of homosexuality didn’t exist in India. People need to be aware that homosexuality exists before realizing that they are homosexual. They would eventually get married due to pressures of the society or due to lack of companionship. There are a lot of cases where marriages have ended in divorce because one of the partners realizes they’re homosexual.
Some people who come to terms with it early turn to celibacy. In the upper social stratas and urban India it’s much more accepted than in the more interior parts of the country. Talking about it is still taboo for the less aware.
Mythology for time immemorial has mentioned homosexuality and transgenders, and addressed issues they face. These texts were written a few thousand years ago, so the concept of homosexuality has existed, but has been pushed under the rug until now.
There are still some parts of the world where homosexuality is illegal and is punishable with a life term in prison, such as in about 38 countries in Africa and 20 Asian countries. In a few countries it’s punishable with the death penalty.
Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps by Allan and Barbara Pease states that ”Homosexuality is more inborn rather than a choice that is made.” The book goes on to say that people are usually born and wired with their preferences rather than being brought up or choosing to be that way. Scientific facts prove this. It isn’t up to the person to choose their sexuality, which is a popular misconception.
Homosexuals and people who believe they’re stuck in the wrong body commit about 30 percent of teenage suicides. Teens aren’t aware that homosexuality exists and this lack of knowledge drives them to extreme measures.
All humans have the right to live the way they want to without being judged. And judgments based on something like genetic makeup is neither fair nor valid. Homosexuals are the same as everyone else.
