Discrimination and Homosexuality

             There have been many steps taken to make the United States a more excepting place for minorities and people who do not follow the norm. Social movements have shaped our country into what it is today and allows people to voice their opinion and attempt to change the status quo. Even though people in the U.S. are more excepting of others today than in the past, there is still work to be done. Discrimination is still occurring everywhere, especially against individuals who come out as homosexual.

            It is unfortunate that people, especially teens and young adults, are victims of prejudice and discrimination. My best friend from high school faced a great deal of ridicule from students who did not accept who she is. She told me when we were 16 years old that she wanted to take a girl to a school dance instead of a guy. I had suspected that she was gay and always made her feel that I would accept her for who she is and never judge. When she confided in me, I supported her 100 percent and told her that she should go to the dance with who she wants and not worry about what people say. She asked our other friend to the dance, and she agreed to go. Everything was ok until there was a slow dance, and my two friends decided to slow dance together. People started to stare and I could tell they were talking about them. The following week in school was rough for both of them. They were teased and called inappropriate name, and I just felt so disappointed with the kids from my school.

            Today, my best friend is openly gay and has had a few girlfriends since that dance. She finally built up the courage to tell her parents about her sexual orientation a few years ago. Her dad took the news well and told her that he will love her no matter who she loves; however, her mother was not as understanding. Her mom is conservative and very religious, and she was furious when she learned that her daughter is gay. It was hard for me to see this woman who I looked up to not accept my best friend for who she is. Heterosexuality has been engrained as the norm in our country for so many years, and now this change is causing discrimination and rejection.

            It has been debated greatly whether homosexuality is a product of society or a product of biology. People claim that homosexuality has become more accepted because it is portrayed in a positive way by the mass media. On the other hand, research has been done that suggests that there are specific genes that cause people to feel attraction for different people. Whatever the case, homosexuality has been around for years, but people are starting to feel more comfortable expressing themselves today than in the past. This is causing the more conservative population to feel uncomfortable and unaccepting. Hopefully there is more change to come, and social movements will aid in changing the status quo.

External Links:

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/10443/20141118/homosexuality-genetic-strongest-evidence.htm

http://www.civilrights.org/resources/civilrights101/sexualorientation.html