Lifestyle?

I have several thoughts to get off my chest.

I read a comment today that expressed one's anger that "idiots" like me are zombies as a result of this "entertainment age" and confuse gay marriage as a civil right when it is really a lifestyle choice, not a right.

I took exception to this and replied directly. This post is not an attempt to run away and hide expressing my disgust amongst a safe, agreeable audience. I opened myself up for the inevitable backlash by publicly addressing his opinion with my counter.

I get easily irritated by the tired, worn out and short sighted opinions of people like this that seem to think gays and lesbians choose to be gay like one chooses to follow sports or a particular genre of music or career field.

I realize I am not gay. Therefore, my opinion is just that. Those who oppose my view can then question the validity of what I write. But I know, love and associate with enough people who are homosexual to have an educated point of view on this topic.

In addition, I have a line of logic that I believe is strong enough to support my stance regardless of my knowledge or lack thereof in terms of one's motivation or cause of being homosexual.

Let me start with this for an attempt at a point of comparison. I hear a good bit about how it is hard to be Christian these days. From what I understand, it is because it seems as though the majority of our generation questions Christianity. It is very trendy for people my age (although not as trendy as tattoos) to claim they are "spiritual" and not "religious." Religion is poo-pooed on. Christianity seems to be the biggest target.

I agree. That is difficult. It gets old to constantly defend your belief system and something you hold dear. Constantly having to defend your religious theology can feel as though you are being persecuted.

But nobody is dying on a cross here. It is not illegal to worship. Nobody in government is threatening to take your rights. Despite people trying to keep religion out of government decisions, it is not the same as taking your right to worship.

It is separation, not elimination.

How does this relate to my issue that homosexuality is not a lifestyle choice? Stay with me.

Gays are unable to "marry." Bullies feast on kids that are gay or even slightly resembling the mannerisms of someone who is gay. "Gay" is a common insult. Many times you read horrid stories of kids or even adults getting beaten because of their homosexuality.

Christians marry. It is called a wedding.

You never hear someone verbally assault another by calling them a "christian!"

Bullies will beat on anyone. I recall hearing "Jesus boy" numerous times when people found out I transferred from a Catholic school to a public high school, but that was never difficult to shake off. It never persisted like some of the abuse I witnessed others deal with that were mistakenly perceived as gay or, in some cases, accurately.

Most of the ridicule I am speaking of is the the type that permeates through our normal conversations or opinions though. For instance, the common use of "faggot" or "that is so gay" even when not directed to someone who is gay.

When I compare the two, I would say it is MUCH harder being homosexual than Christian. It is inconvenient being openly Christian when you hear people's snobby attitude towards your theology. Whereas it is straight up painful to be gay.

Your religion is ultimately your choice. You may be born into it, but you can choose to leave Christianity.

I did.

But I can't stop being straight. I can't make myself not attracted to women. I'm sorry. It is how the equipment works.

The same goes for being gay. You can fight it all you want. I know some who have. They fought it for decades. They tried very hard to force themselves to be straight and conform. The truth will ultimately win. It shall set you free I guess.

Again, why would anyone choose to deal with this ridicule and internal struggle? Why would you choose to be an outcast? Why would you choose to live a "lifestyle," as some call it, in which your rights are limited unless this is a trait in which you have no choice?

There is nothing "cool" or attractive about it, contrary to the belief of those ignorant people who think gays feel like there is.

Assuming being Christian is so difficult, being gay is much more difficult. So why would one want to work so hard to live this "lifestyle" if this wasn't who they were naturally?

Too many people get caught up in the extreme, wild depiction of gays that the mainstream media loves to parade in front of us and don't realize that the vast majority are common, everyday people.

This creates an idea that gay marriages are going to be flamboyantly dressed men with dildos and other provocative items all over the place screaming in high pitched lisps flaunting themselves in every one's face. While I support these people's rights to join in union as well, this is not what gay marriage is about.

Not to me.

It IS a civil right. These people DO have a right to share the privileges others do in union. We are not talking about marrying animals or children who are unable to conceptualize this yet developmentally. This is two consenting adults.

They deserve the CIVIL RIGHT to join in union legally. Period. Point blank.

Get over it.

I bet in less than a decade most people won't even think about it and wonder why we made such a big deal about it in the first place.