Although I don't understand half of the things that are going on in my Lit. Theory class, I just wanted to state that I love, absolutely adore my entire tutorial group.

I don't know what it is, but we all seem to be able to share similar views on things that many people often have conflicting views on. For example, today were having a discussion about "coherence in contradiction..." and we led to the current hot topic of marriage and homosexuality. Or, in a nutshell, whether or not homosexuals should be able to get married.

WARNING: GOING INTO RANT MODE -->

One of the main arguments of those in opposition is that marriage should belong to the sanctity of a man and a woman, but homosexuals (from here on meant to include gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered) should be considered equal to those of heterosexual orientation. That argument doesn't make a lot of sense now, does it? I mean, if all humans are entitled to the same rights, by recognizing homosexuals as humans are they not allowed to live by the same rights? Disallowing a group of people from doing something because of who they are at the base of their human existence is just as prejudiced as disallowing coloured people from entering a certain restaurant or bar because they're coloured.

It's not that I don't understand why others can't accept homosexuality, because I can see why others would find it wrong. What I really don't understand is why people feel the need to condemn homosexuals or those who condone homosexuality because sexual orientation is merely that: sexual orientation. It doesn't make the whole person, just as being Chinese (in my case) doesn't make my entire being. In another example, Oprah recently had the cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on her show. On the message boards after, there were several people who couldn't believe that Oprah, an openly Christian woman, would promote "this kind of behaviour". First of all, it's not as if the guys were having sex on stage or anything, I mean, they were merely giving different guys makeovers; and I'm pretty sure that Oprah doesn't care to lose those few precious, prejudiced viewers. But I'm getting off topic...my point is that it completely baffles me when people regard homosexuals as AIDS/STD-carrying perverts, when the "straight" society certainly has its share of promiscuous perverts as well.

Maybe the bigger picture is that people feel free to be homophobes and bigots because it's a completely new issue that's really only starting to find its footing in this day and age. Racism, it still exists, obviously, but nobody's really made an issue out of it since the major events of terrorism against the United States; and that was more against religion than anything else, which is a completely different issue. Anyway, what really bothers me is the lack of willingness among so many people to be open-minded...although open-mindedness in itself can develop into a heated argument as well, since I can't accept that others can't accept that others have different opinions; a total paradox that I refuse to get into since I assume that everybody reading this will understand what I'm trying to say. If not, then label me a hypocrite and move on.

I've done my share of beating the horse for now. I'll probably trail back to this eventually since it's something I feel really strongly about. If you feel differently than the way I do, that's completely fine with me, just don't try to have an argument with me about it, because we all know that you'll never change your view and I'll never change mine. It's like trying to convert a Jew into being a Muslim. And for the record, no I am not a homosexual, and it shouldn't really matter to you unless you're "interested".

*stepping off of soapbox*

:: Emily 12:47 AM [+] ::