In Reply to: homosexuality posted by christian on January 10, 2003 at 22:24:53:

Christian

You appear to be asking two questions here. One about why gay people feel the way we do about being gay and another about why society generally have problems with this.

Before attempting to answer your questions I must make very clear to you that all people feel differently about these things. My answers will therefore be broad generalisations only as I cannot discuss here all the different ways that everyone feels about these questions. Here goes:

One:
Historically, "gay" (homosexual) people have generally been excluded from broader society with few exceptions. Being "gay" has been and is still often seen as being illegal, a sin, immoral, dirty, a disease, etc. When growing up as children we are all subjected to the influence of our societies norms when it comes to what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Having this continuous pressure on "gay" people has led to all sorts of problems including teenage suicide. No one chooses to be "gay". Why would anyone deliberately choose to live in a way that leaves them exposed to homophobic violence and discrimination? Society raises its children to believe that "gay" = bad and backs it up with discrimination.

Two:
Societies feel the way they do about homosexuality because of reasons which vary depending on which society you are talking about. Some Asian societies don't believe there are gay people. Religious societies are driven by what their churches (usually conservative) or religious leaders tell them. Many modern societies have people of both these views but also have more tolerant people as well. Basically society is afraid of the unknown and the different. Gay people are different. But if we can be more open and visible in society then society can see that we really are not that different at all.

This is all I can give you now for starters. Maybe others can join in and give you more and maybe you could clarify your questions a bit more.

Cheers
Mark

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