What is with America's view of homosexuality?

Question

Don't we realize that the civilized countries across the globe are legalizing gay marriage and realizing that it is gentic, not a choice? Can't we see that by making an constitutional ban on gay marriage, we are joining the likes of Iraq and other evil countries, taking steps backward? How many years will it be before we realize that marriage is a civil right? How many times will we have to add amendments simply saying "So we need to stop discriminating against this group because they deserve civil rights," and how much longer before "And when we said we can't discriminate against them, we should probably have included that they can get married"? Why will the government prosicute businesses that refuse to hire or choose to fire a person based on their sexuality, but the government can say that gay people don't get the same protection under the law that other people do? And why does a religion based on love cling so dearly to their hate? Take your pick. Email2discuss:[e-mail]

Answer 1

Most Americans are Ignorant, Selfish, Bible Thumping Prudes who don't care about others.

Answer 2

Just like any other group...the people who are the loudest and most outrageous are the ones everybody pays attention to. The hardcore evangelical Christians get the most attention on this subject because they specifically organize media coverage, mailings, web-sites, etc...against gay rights.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of "sheep" out there who will believe whatever they hear on TV, or whatever their church tells them to believe. Most people are ignorant to the true nature of homosexuals (that is that we are good, decent, normal people) and simply rely on what their leaders tell them to think.

Until the gay community (including me) can get organized and get some positive portrayals out there for people to see, this discrimination will continue. Sometimes I'll look at the gay community "leaders" and will laugh a little to myself. They often pick the most outrageous, stereotypical lesbians or gay men to represent us. Where are all the normal gays? Where are all the good looking people at? Where are the people that the public would pay attention to and actually listen to? The answer...probably at home, with their family, or alone, at a bar, wherever..anywhere but getting involved.

This may sound a little harsh to some...but it's the reality of the world we live in. Our community needs some pizazz...some quality representation...some extremely positive media portrayals that says something to mainstream America (Brokeback Mountain was a good start) Participation by all in our community is a must. We need to take the offensive in the media and use real world tactics to gradually persuade mainstream America to understand where we're coming from.

Once we're able to get on the offensive, the hate of the radical Christians will diminish. We just have to get organized and make it happen.

Answer 3

Most Americans believe the Bible is a good blueprint for living a moral life. The Bible condemns homosexuality. Thus, most Americans condemn homosexuality as immoral.

The Bible is actually a collection of many works written over a wide span of time by many different authors for motives that are not at all clear. They are inconsistent and often ambiguous. They also contain many outmoded ideas about the world and silly prejudices believed by ancient people that have nothing to do with reality or morality.

Bottom line: homosexuality harms no one. To persecute someone and deny them fundamental rights without just cause is immoral.

But Bible-believers cling to their immoral old book and refuse to open their eyes to the truth and think for themselves.

Answer 4

I agree with everything you have said, but I'd like to point out a bit of sunshine. Where the gay and lesbian community is today is a freaking THOUSAND times better than it was just thirty years ago. Tolerance comes in waves, eventually taking over, but the last few waves really shake things up...JUST like what is happening in the last few years.
The problem, in my eyes, is government officials. A vast majority of them are old conservative farts that were raised in the fifties and sixties when homosexuality was still considered a sickness or illness. What you see happening today is a clash between those old farts and the new, open-minded generation taking over.
It won't last much longer. In 5-10 years gays will have their equal rights, just as they deserve. And the old-fart conservatives will be mumbling in their old-folks homes while they piss their depends.

Answer 5

Your preaching to the choir. I did my research paper for English last semester on gay marriage, and why it should be legalized.

Basically, what it comes down to is religious people are not willing to let the issue go, and allow gay people the same rights as they have. But what everyone in America needs to realize is that when the constitution said "freedom of religion" that it also meant freedom FROM religion as well.

The bible has no place in American politics, and it is unfair for anyone to push their religious beliefs onto others.

I could go on forever, but I'll just say I totally agree with you.

Answer 6

I think everything I have to say has already been said, but I just wanted to let you know that this is the best "question" I've seen in a long time. i only wish I knew the answer. Some day Americans will wise up and maybe pull their heads out of their asses.

Answer 7

America has all ways been a little backwards socially it will catch up in the end then they will shout it from the rooftops as if they invented it ....lol

I'll tell you what this is in my view, if you're willing to hear some frank opinion. Some of it is outright ignorance or hate. But most of it is simple insecurity. I think the opposition to gay rights comes from a lack of self confidence of one's own social standing. That's male insecurity mind you- clearly homophobia was born of male competition over women. These men see gays as a threat to their own chances with women. If society allows homosexuals to coexist openly among heterosexuals, then these homosexuals may begin to influence women's opinions of what traits are desirable in men. Rather than controlling themselves, confident in their choice of lifestyle, interests, opinions, and how appealing they are in the eyes of women, these men panic, and demand absolute control over the rules of the game. They insist very publicly that everyone must hold the same opinions and respect the same rules. This is absurd in my mind.

Civilization produces homosexuality. That's an uncomfortable fact to many men, but that's in our genetic makeup. Let's ask ourselves why homosexuality is more prevalent in cities. Why? Because of the reasons given above. In a city one learns very quickly that one cannot possibly manage everyone's beliefs. In rural settings, however, it is possible. People who live in rural settings are no different than their urban neighbors, it's just that one Darwinian strategy- the conservative one- plays out more favorably. Why is homosexuality more accepted in Europe? Older cities.

America is like a late blooming adolescent ...wants everyone to notice them but too scared to take the plunge.

Answer 8

It really depends on the location. I live in California, and we're liberal compared with the Midwest. I definitely support gay marriage, and so do most of the people around me. The amount of hate that is spread in the name of religion is appalling.

Answer 9

You have many really good points, to bad that our stupid nation will never agree and understand. I guess if we want to be treated as human beings we have to go to Canada or something eh? lol. Hopefully some day things will change, in the mean time, just keep being strong and keep that attitude you have, its healthy.

Answer 10

Some Americans can only think of "sex" when they hear homosexuality, but when they think about heterosexuality they think about love, getting married, devoting yourself to one person, the way their heart flutters when they see their wife smile, etc. Which is why people say things like, "I don't want to know what goes in gay people's bedrooms" when any mention whatsoever is made of homosexuality. For them gay is about sex, period.

Answer 11

Sadly, this is the way it is. If people weren't so ignorant and dumb, then maybe they would see that were all the same, we just have different thoughts and beliefs. I herd in church that god didnt make adem and adem, and eve and eve, but really I dont care what they say. if your happy being the way you are then do it. To bad all people dont think that way.