By Josh Williams–
As many are aware, a controversial debate is occurring over an already controversial issue: the origins of homosexuality. Is it a personal preference? Does it originate from biological factors at a genetic level? Can a person who prefers same-sex be changed? These are all questions currently being explored in the world today, and the argument is gaining an audience.
For those who are not aware however, the controversial issue lies in the fact that some scientists believe homosexuality occurs as a result of genetics that alter the levels of hormones in a person. As a result, these people can experience feelings of attraction to the same sex.
As it is a condition that one is born with and cannot control, many are arguing that same-sex marriage should be legalized in all states. In contrast however, many feel that homosexuality derives from bad childhood relationships to their parents, sexual abuse and other factors that are considered mere preferences rather than genetic causes and as a result, feel that same-sex marriages should not be legalized.
Although this might make for an interesting biological research project for knowledge’s sake alone, our culture has found a way to blow homosexual origins out of proportion resulting in the further belittlement of everyday people. In a country that boasts proudly about the freedom for its citizens, it is interesting that some people are not allowed to properly pursue their happiness.
What does it matter if a person prefers to love the same sex due to a genetic cause?
There are people starving in the streets, suffering from multiple levels of abuse and victims of crime all over the world and yet, one of the main focuses we as a people have is whether or not someone can marry another person.
Taking it even further, where are the tests that explore the origins of heterosexuality? Why is it that only the homosexual roots are discussed by the press and politicians?
It would seem as many feel that homosexuality is an illness that differs from the norm embraced in our society as heterosexuality. As a result, there are people like Marcus Bachmann who feel that homosexuals are like “barbarians [who] need to be disciplined,” according to a post on The Huffington Post’s website.
It is with thoughts and actions such as these that inequalities still exist within our society forcing some people to live a life of lies in order to be accepted.
How would you – for those who are heterosexual – like for the country that takes your money – in the form of taxes – to tell you that you cannot marry the person you love? I personally know that I would not stand for such discrimination and would be completely in an uproar. How does this differ from a homosexual? Are they not people that eat, sleep and breathe like anyone else?
Maybe time, money and energy should be relocated focusing on abolishing inequality in our country rather than fostering it as an illness that sweeps the nation.
Perhaps another perspective should be introduced within this debate; perhaps homosexuality is not a clinical condition rather, it is a lifestyle that some live with. This parallels to a family who spends their Mondays watching football together. Not everyone likes to watch football every Monday, yet where are the articles and cries of hate toward this? Although this seems to be a trivial comparison, the witch-hunt against gays is equally as trivial- they are people with the same birthrights as everyone else.
For those who are equally or more insulted by such unfair treatments of humans, feel free to check out the University’s Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Services website at www.louisville.edu/lgbt where many work to flatten this wrinkle of inequality that blemishes our nation.
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