The Journey to…
Acceptance!!

Many people in this country are in fact homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or transgendered. In the year 2000, there were reported 594,301 same sex households in the United States. The percentage of gay and lesbian Americans can range from two to ten percent, but “figures are inexact because, while the census now reports on the number of same-sex households, that is not the same as doing a survey on sexuality.” Although, there are many more people out there who are living alone or are afraid to come out and say, ‘I’m gay’. Today, acceptance is much more widely spread. Twenty years ago, “only one in three people” said that “homosexuality should be considered an acceptable alternative lifestyle.” Now, “about half of Americans” (accept it). There is still a long way to go, though. There is so much hate among those who do not see it as natural. It’s wrong to hate a fellow human being just because of their sexual orientation. Some steps can be taken to expand acceptance in America.

Acceptance should be promoted at a young age. Some say that it is inappropriate to subject children to books such as Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman and Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite. It is important, though. Why should children learn that it is wrong to be homosexual and that it’s wrong to teach about it? What if one of the students in the class where “a Queens school board banned a new first grade curriculum guide because it mentions homosexuality” found out that he or she was gay in later life? Would they feel ostracized and afraid to tell anyone because of the way people treated homosexuals when they were younger? It’s wrong to make a person feel so alone because of the way they are. There’s no changing a person’s sexual preference and trying to do so is wrong. Because of this, acceptance for homosexuality should be promoted at an early age. For those who are up in arms about this, what is being promoted is acceptance, not homosexuality. It’s okay to be gay, and those who think it isn’t have a long way to go. For those parents and others who do not think it acceptable for children to read about matters such as homosexuals, think about what they watch on the TV every day. Is it alright for children to see the violence between men, but not love and acceptance that everyone should have the chance to have, no matter with whom. For this reason, schools should hold their ground when it comes to their decisions.  It’s important to make sure that books like Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman get into the curriculum for everyone’s sake. School officials shouldn’t be afraid to stand up to parents and do something that is right, no matter how many oppose it.

For those who do oppose it, they should be taught to accept others, too. This can be done through lectures and conferences. It’s vital for people to realize that homosexuals are just like everyone else. Sexual preference, religion, and ethnicity shouldn’t be a basis of liking or hating someone. People are who they are and through lectures, maybe that point can get across to those who hate. At a conference, people can talk freely to homosexuals and see that they are no different from normal people. Also, it is important for people to get all of the correct facts. People should know that hate crimes happen everyday to people who have done absolutely nothing other than love someone of their own sex. How does loving someone constitute for a person to be killed? Matthew Shepard “was killed because his attackers were offended by his homosexuality.” Maybe by giving lectures and having conferences, people will understand that homosexuals are just like everyone else.

Finally, everyone should not be ashamed to talk about it. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, but treating it as a sin is condemning people who have done nothing wrong except loving someone. Every time someone says something bad about homosexuality, people’s views of it move toward negative. Speaking of homosexuality in a negative way gives people negative views about it and really can hurt someone. Acceptance by the masses may help to convince those who are against it. Sometimes, peer pressure can be a good thing. When it comes to the lives of people, there should be no thought about what’s right and wrong. With acceptance wide spread, not only will homosexual people be better off, but also, maybe other minorities will start to be better off too. As a wise woman once said, “Gays are good.”

With more people accepting the fact that homosexuals are people too, maybe the world can turn around. It’s wrong to ostracize people for something as inconsequential of their sexual orientation. Hopefully, by freely giving acceptance, the world will understand that there is a need for love among everyone. This isn’t saying there will be instant world peace, but it is a step in the right direction.