While Hubby was getting dressed I turned on the tv in our room. Landed on a local French channel where they debate a daily subject. Both men are very different, and they play the devil’s advocates roles, people call in and they debate. This morning their subject was “In 2006, is being homosexual a sickness?” This question was brought on, because this weekend is the Grand Opening of 1st World Outgames 2006. Montréal is hosting the games.
Listening to some callers made me grind my teeth. We are in 2006 – wake up people!
Is being gay a sickness or a choice? Come on! I’m always surprised to realise (once again) just how plain stupid some people can be. I should know better by now, but still, it always amazes me to see such levels of ignorance. Whenever I encounter such illiterate opinions I just have to challenge them. It is like a sickness! I just can’t resist. I just have to provoke some thoughts, be in their face and make them realise how (insert word of your choice here) they are!
A while back, at the time when the legislation came in about gay marriages we were enjoying a meal with friends and started talking about it. One person present said that is was wrong. Marriage was between a man & a woman. Really? Why? I always thought that marriage was between two people who loved one another. Why is it wrong for two people in love to legalize their union and have the same rights as the rest of us? They’re in a couple, they pay their taxes, their insurances, etc., why shouldn’t they get their benefits as well? That started a whole, heated, tumultuous discussion, which eventually lead to gays having kids. That was weird: the person who was so animate against gay marriage was all for gay couples adopting. And another person at the table couldn’t care less if they got married, but thought it just wasn’t right for "them" to raise children.
Let me start round 2, then!
Why is it wrong? If a safe, loving environment is provided to the child what’s wrong about that? No, I don’t know! What do you mean? Straight people have been doing a crappie job (some, not all) at it for many years, even centuries. Parents ("blood" related parents) abuse their kids, physically, mentally, and sexually and because it’s a man & a woman it’s ok? I don’t think so. A loving home? Is it the case when a child grows up seeing his dad beat up his mom? Yes that can happen with gay couples as well, except that they don’t end up with a kid by accident. That child was desired. They thought about wanting a child, unlike a lot of straight couples where it just happens. That is one major difference. Will a child feel weird when he sees his 2 moms/dads kissing and being affectionate? No worst than I did when I saw my folks doing that! Yes they will encounter teasing and whatnot, but at the same time, our society is changing and more and more family are now same sex parents, so that should change as well. It’s not easy being a kid no matter what. I was teased because my parents were strict and wasn’t allowed to wear jeans. I hated it, but I survived. I knew that my parents loved me, deep down, so if those kids are loved and feel the love I can only believe that they will be ok.
Or are you afraid that same sex couples will “generate” more gays, is that it? The gay people we have now, where did they come from? Straight parents! So, what’s your worry based on? Regular loving parents, brought up a child who turned out gay… hum?
Must be an illness or something worst, like they made a choice or something... Let's get real here! I didn't choose to like men, I just do. So I can only imagine that gay people are just the same - they just do!
*Starting today until August 5th, it will be out time. According to Martina Navratilova, in today’s paper The Gazette, “we’re making progress”. Read the article here. Ms Navratilova will present the Declaration of Montréal with Olympic medalist Mark Tewksbury at the Opening Ceremony on 29 July 2006. I’m hoping that things are moving in the right direction for everyone.
Supposedly Montréal has one of the biggest gay villages in the world. Cool! Didn’t know that!
As far as I am concerned, if gay people want to get married and have children (adoption or other means), go for it. Do whatever makes you happy and helps you be a better person in this crazy world of ours. If you need to be discreet, be. If you need to shout it out, do. Live your life to the fullest and be happy. Happy people tend to be nicer to be around then grumpy ones.
Here’s a link to the official Outgames, click here for details.
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Photo: André Pichette, La Presse
* Pin that I ordered for our collection!
13 comments:
For modern day Christians the topic of gay marriage and adoption can be quite frustrating and confusing. Marriage is traditionally seen as a religious ceremony representative of the marriage between Jesus and the Church and therefore a sacred ceremony. As biblically homosexuality is in violation of God's laws that sets the stage for an opposition to Gay Marriage in the religious community.
As a modern Christian this topic is one I have given considerable thought to myself. The most reasonal resolution I can come to is this:
Homosexuals should not be denied the sames rights as heterosexuals on the basis of their orientation. Sin is sin, no matter what the sin or who is commiting it. That said, a legal union that offers the same rights and protections as a "marriage" should be available. This would give homosexual couples the security of knowing that they have survivorship rights, rights to be the Medical and/or Financial power of attorney for their spouse, etc... with out fear of losing those rights in a suit filed by other family members.
Is it a matter a verbal manipulation? Sure, but so are most legalities in any society. As a US Citizen I am firmly against any amendments to my constitution which would deny rights to any legal citizen, even if I don't agree with their lifestyle, religion, political stance, hair color, what ever.
Aren't you glad I stopped by?? LOL!!
Sickness or choice? Those are the only two options??? Grrr.
As far as marriage/legal union, if two straight people can get married in city hall and it is a "marriage," then I don't think marriage is only a religious institution. If you are going to call gay marriages "legal unions," then you should call all out-of-church marriages "legal unions."
Sorry, that is more in response to dirty birdie than to you.
Anyway, are you going to check out the outgames? It sounds like fun!
d b : Wow! What a comment! Anything that is outside the "norms" is frustrating, confusing, disturbing.
I agree with you, they have rights just the same as everybody else (as I also stipulated in my post).
Recently on "Shalom in the Home" (TV show on TLC), Rabbi Shmuley was helping a lesbian family with 2 girls. It was a very interesting and touching episode. Those 2 women had fought issues all their lives.
At some point Shumley told them "that God loved all his children, and any priest or religious person thinking or saying anything other than that, didn't know God." I thought he was awesome for saying that (I wonder how much crap he got for it though?).
You can stop by as often as you like!
-r-: I agree, I did not mean to imply there should be a seperate institution for the two. "Marriage" should be removed from legal terminology and should be a private affair, where as a Legal Union should be the legal process by which two consenting adults join together.
stinkypaw: I agree with Shumley as well, God loves all his children regardless of their imperfections. We are all imperfect beings. For one group to believe they are solely deserving of God's love is arrogant and a disgrace to the true nature of God, which is love, tolerance and forgiveness.
-r-: What other option are you thinking of?
Like dirty birdie wrote I thinks that is is verbal manipulation; I think it should be about 2 people in love wanting to be "legally" together and have the same rights as everybody else who are in love and "legally" together.
I'm curious about the Games, I might go, should be interesting, that's for sure.
I would say it is a different orientation, not an illness.
I just think it's nature its thing... whatever it may be...
This post really got on my goat.
In Oz our federal government is doing everything it can to stop both gay 'marriage' (by legally defining marriage as between a man and a woman) and gay 'civil unions' (by over-riding state legislation).
As others have said here, marriage is no longer simply a religious ceremony - people can have non-religious marriages. So why can one religious group force it's religious rules on people who don't belong to that group (as influential Christian groups do here)?
For years now I have belonged to a lobby group called Let's Get Equal, who are attempting to persuade the government to give equal rights to same sex couples. Unfortunately, in our rigid, discriminatory society we are fighting a losing battle.
PS. If God exists, then God created me the way I am - attracted to both men and women. If God thinks that is wrong or sinful, then God is an arrogent bloody hypocrite.
You can't half tell I'm a recovering Catholic.
hasarder: Welcome to my blog!
I've never heard that expression before, is that an Aussie saying? 'love it!
I don't know nor understand why religious groups have this need to force others to their ways - not just on this but for a lot of others things. Just look at all the wars that were and still are going on.
I think that if God exists it (because I think it's more an "it" than a she or he!) will take you as you are. It is man's view of what God is/thinks that makes it (being bi, in this case) wrong.
God (supposedly) forgives us even before we do anything wrong, so the rest of them and their judgement don't matter! As long as you're a good person, not hurting others and doing good... I believe that all is cool (with God, and with me!not that you care, I'm sure ) ;-)
What a well written post. I couldn't agree with you more. :)
My biggest gripe is that a lot of churches around here are SO against it they even have people signing petitions outside the congregation doors. I'm sorry - isn't judging (if there is any to be done)God's job? Shouldn't we love and accept and teach and embrace and leave the rest to God? I think a lot of Christian's are making a bad name for themselves by being so bigoted and hateful.
IMHO.
I don't know if it's an Aussie saying or an English one. It's often hard to tell.
It's interesting that you didn't actually mention religion at all in this, yet that is what the comments seem to have focused on. Were the people you had the conversation with coming from a religious stand or just an ignorant bigoted non-religious one?
paisley: Thank you!
I don't know whose job it is, but it is certainly not ours or at least NOT MINE! We should live and let live!
hasarder: Often people go there (religion), but I don't because... I just don't. Maybe because I don't live my life as a religious person, but more as a spiritual one?...
And to answer your question, the one against marriage was coming from a religious point. And the other one, I wouldn't call her a biggot, but I think she just never really thought about it until I "challenged" her with my arguments. That is what makes a good conversation, no? ;-)
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