A phobia is a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a thing in spite of reassurance that said thing is not dangerous. Homophobia is that same fear projected upon people who are attracted to someone the same gender as themselves. Homophobes come in all ages and genders, begging the question why? What is there to be afraid of?
One of the many statements people will hear from those in this wayward thinking is, “sexual orientation is a choice.” What they are in essence saying is that somewhere in their lifetime they made a conscious decision to be straight. With that claim comes the fact that if they did make that conscious decision, they did in fact at some point question their sexuality. However, I am not inclined to think this is true, unless their homophobia is stemmed from inner confusion and fear of their own sexuality. More likely, the suggestion that sexual orientation is not a choice. There is no research to support the idea that social and cultural influences will sway which gender one prefers.
This lack of facts to support a weak foundation flows into the next argument of homophobic bigots around the world: “Homosexuality is contagious.” Merely befriending a member of the LGBT community will not make a person gay. A heterosexual man who befriends a gay man will not suddenly become limp-wristed and start to lisp – stereotypes that are pushed on gay men by homophobes. As previously stated, a person’s sexuality is predetermined by something about genetic makeup; it cannot be changed simply based upon who a person is friends with. A white man in a crowd of black men does not become black.
Other homophobes hide behind the gilded leather of their Bible. Leviticus states that one man should not lie with another the way he does with a woman. “Aha!” they say, “Homosexuality is a sin.” They say this even as they break other things that same book of the Bible preaches against – eating certain meats and mixing certain fabrics. I also haven’t seen many ritualistic sacrifices lately. Christianity is supposed to be a religion that believes God created people the way they are and loves them for it. In the New Testament of the bible, there is a very influential man who has said absolutely nothing about homosexuality: Jesus. In fact, there is only one man who does say anything about it, and that is an apostle, Paul. A very godly man, sure, but it isn’t as if someone in the Bible hasn’t made an error in judgment before. (Anyone remember what David did?)
Gay people can be good people. They can be bad people. They can be your brother, or your sister, your uncle, or your next door neighbor. Gay people are just that – people. People who are ostracized because society tells them that their love is wrong, when our society is what is wrong.
I believe there is only one logical standpoint on this issue. Mind your own business. I highly doubt that anyone would enjoy being told who they are allowed to love, and it is no one’s right to do so. I’m not asking you to join a gay-straight alliance. I’m asking you to live and let live.