Before I even begin, I know most people who read this will not agree. I'm not looking for a debate. These are simply my feelings. My hope is that the world is changing and those changes will eventually be beneficial to us all in the near future.
Orlando has taught us many lessons. Some of those lessons are that whatever your sexual preference is, LGBTQI community members still bleed like I do and die like I will some day. I told someone the other day that I feel the world is moving in a more unisex direction. That isn't exactly what I meant. I meant that I see the lines blurring more and more to where we are more gender neutral. Maybe it's just me but there seem to be physical changes in people. There is a little more acceptance, albeit it very hard won by those in the front lines. In the end, what does it matter what someone's sexual preference is and why should anyone even have to gather under the LGBTQI banner, as long as what is done causes no harm to another!
It seems the only time it's an issue is when one person decides to judge another person, usually based on religious teachings and beliefs. When you think about it, those have done more to divide us and caused more wars than can be counted. Though divinely inspired, most are man's interpretation of The Word and we could have an ongoing discussion for years on that topic. I have been in or have studied most major religions but prefer seeing our creator (whatever name you choose to use) as loving and forgiving rather than vengeful and filled with hatred wielding a gavel and/or sword.
If you want to have religious beliefs, who am I to judge you? If you want to have sexual preferences other than straight, who am I to judge you? The Bible, the Koran, the Torah or whatever text you put your faith in also preaches love and caring for your neighbor, and much more. The judgement is the problem. Although we are made in the image of God, creator, spirit, universe, etc. (I believe, have Him/She/It within us), we have not been appointed judge and jury unless harm is inflicted on another, then the laws of the land we live in apply. So why do so many care what their neighbors are doing in their bedrooms? Why do we want to change them, even to the point of performing surgery on them to 'correct' what's wrong with them?
Every day psychology would suggest there is fear at the root of judgement. Fear of what? That they are going to do you harm, or convert you? If you're turned off by their expressions of love for each other, turn your head. It was suggested early on that the individual who committed the Orlando massacre was offended by seeing two men kiss. Some people are offended by public displays of affection, others aren't. But we have the ability to watch something else and better yet, perhaps turn our eyes within and ask why we are bothered or upset by it.
A little over 50 years ago, it was unacceptable for people to live together before marriage. Now it's hard to find anyone who doesn't. Concurrently, the marriage rates have gone down...there are simply fewer people bothering to get married. Legally, the law was referred to as the fornication law and was a punishable crime. There was also common law marriage, which said (depending upon the state) that a couple living together for 7 years would be considered married. Both are probably still in the laws in most states but no longer enforced. Hmmm, why shouldn't common law marriage be applied to the LGBTQI community?
As I end, I hope it doesn't take 50 years for our society to get to the point of acceptance of what is different from our own beliefs. Not just about this issue but all issues upon which we sit in judgement without having authority to do so. As the world moves exponentially faster and faster toward the future, largely due to the internet creating an ever smaller world, I don't think it will take 50 years...but I'm also hoping that no more lives must be lost on the road to acceptance..
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