GAY: What they are - and aren't
Lately I’ve been reading a lot of disparaging comments in the paper directed toward our decent gay and lesbian citizens, and would like to add my own thoughts. It’s not a question of “what,” but “who” are gays and lesbians? They are not monsters, abusers or murderers to be avoided, but rather they are someone’s son, daughter, grandchild, aunt or uncle. They are doctors, dentists, nurses, baby sitters, best friends, counselors, teachers, lawyers and military personnel protecting all of us and our nation. They’ve fought for you, our and their (yes, it is “their” country too) country.
Gays and lesbians are not pedophiles, as some try to portray. Studies have proven that the majority of pedophiles come from the straight population, not the gay or lesbian population. The gays and lesbians I know are extremely caring and good partners and parents, often with their relationships outlasting many of the married relationships I know. I’ve known of many married relationships that end in divorce, leaving behind a single parent or child in the destruction. I speak of this as a 72-year-old mother and grandmother of a gay son, a gay stepson and a lesbian granddaughter. The love I have for them is every bit as strong as for my other children and grandchildren. They never “chose” to be gay. They were simply born that way, and each of them has had long-term relationships with their respective partners. Longer than most of the straight relationships I know of. The only “choice” they may have is to be denied the love and companionship of a partner, and frankly, that is a cruel request to ask of anybody in this world, straight or gay.
Gays and lesbians do not teach their children to be gay or lesbian either. To believe otherwise is simply ignorant of the truth and contrary to reality. This is not a “social” thing, but rather an issue of genetics. All they are asking is to be treated equally as the productive human beings they are, and not to be treated like animals as was Matthew Sheppard, left to die after being beaten and tied to a fence in freezing weather. I challenge any of you to contact Judy Sheppard (his mother) to find out what a wonderful human being her son, Matthew, was. All of you were children once too, and as anyone knows, children must be taught to hate. Taught by parents and peers. Children are not born to hate others. I’m reminded of a verse from a song I heard: “God bless little children while they are still too young to hate.”
Truth is, all of you who advocate against our decent gay and lesbian citizens should be working on your own homes, and not trying to judge or destroy the lives of others that you don’t even know. As Pope Francis says, “I am not here to be their judge.” I also challenge you to get to know someone gay or lesbian. You’ll be surprised how deep and wonderful a friendship you can have with one of your fellow human beings.
P.S. Gays and lesbians are only asking to be humanely and fairly treated. They do the same things we do, including pay taxes.
PAT HYDE
Payette