Being gay or bisexual does not define all of who you are; in fact, it's just a small portion of who you are. "Then why is this such a difficult process?", you ask. It's a difficult decision because we have been told verbally and non-verbally, our whole lives, that this one thing about us is not accepted. Unfortunately, we live in a society that fears homosexuality. The fear comes from three possible places.
- Fear of the unknown As a society we have a tendency to judge, and judge harshly, that to which we are unfamiliar.
- Fear of joining an unaccepted lifestyle Some members of society may themselves struggle with what they see in front of them- possibly they also have feelings for members of the same sex.
- Fear of religious scrutiny In many religions and denominations, individuals interpret their doctrine (that was written thousands of years prior) as an absolute. This rigidity and fear those circles to be unaccepting to those who don't follow suit.
I want you to know there is hope. There are millions of people who are supportive. People who love and accept gay, bisexual and questioning people. Everyday more and more people learn that someone they love is gay, bisexual or questioning and these people's views, attitudes and opinions change. Sure, our society is not where we want it to be, but the tide is turning. People are opening their hearts and minds to a world not based on fear, but based on love and acceptance.