For people who have read my commentaries in the past, you know it is uncharacteristic of me to not only talk about things before they happen (I’m writing on 10/10/10) but also discuss what is a sensitive political issue in the campus community. I don’t wish to seem crass, but “gay rights” is only a political movement because it has to be, and I hope that you’ll see why I assert this by the end of this article.

For some reason or another, homosexuality and gay rights have started gaining traction in the U.S. We’re all aware of the few states that have legalized gay marriage and the basic arguments surrounding the case for it, so I won’t bore you with that. I’m also sure most of us are familiar with the counter-movement that has also gained steam around the country and here on campus as well.

One of the few things that really bugs me about this whole debacle is that a person’s sexuality is a political issue. Although various cultures throughout the Western world have marginalized and condemned varying forms of sexuality in the past, I still don’t see the taboo-precedent to be a convincing one in modern society.

Sexuality is complex; sexuality is not universal. Straight women do not find themselves irresistibly attracted to all males, and likewise gay men do not find themselves craving every man they lay their eyes on. This goes for any kind of sexuality, even the often mischaracterized pansexual. Sexuality does not override the individual; sexuality is not the only facet of any individual.

This is relevant because our society carries so many prejudices toward the GLBT community. When you picture lesbians, women with short hair and tattoos might come to mind, or maybe the mental image involves unshaven legs or a lack of concern for their appearance. Gay men are thought of as sex-beasts, seeking out men of any age for encounters at dance clubs, seducing each other with lisps and tight clothing, until they catch AIDS and fade from existence.

Homosexuality, or any kind of “alternative lifestyle,” also carries hurtful connotations. One of the most damaging assumptions is that gay people can never live happy, fulfilling lives. First, individuals are usually thought of as being self-gratifying and therefore do not have long-term relationships. Second, people assume that even if gay people find someone to be with, they cannot have children, or even if they manage to have them, aren’t normal, loving families.

None of these stereotypes are true. In fact, the mere belief that these stereotypes are true acts to perpetuate the kind of hate we see in society today, along with the incredible and tragic suicide rate among young adults today. Imagine being gay and seeing thousands rally behind godhatesfags.org, being told that all homosexual men will get AIDS, or knowing that you don’t fit the “typical” sexual mold, and having to choose between a normal life and a life that fits who you know you are?
It’s no wonder why literally thousands of students and young people find themselves in that dark place every year.

I’m not trying to indoctrinate this community with “the gay agenda,” and I do think that it is still understandable that people would be opposed to what I have to say.I won’t say that everyone who doesn’t fight for gay marriage is ignorant, hateful and closed minded. Although it might be easy to treat everyone who thinks similarly about an issue the same way, I really don’t think I’d like to perpetuate the kind of stereotyping that diminishes who we are as individuals and has affected every minority group in the history of these United States.

On the occasion of Coming Out Week, I want to affirm that it is OK to be who you are, no matter who you are and who you fall in love with.