Anti-LGBT Myths

[antiochian]

I decided to sit down and write a response to every anti-lgbt myth I could think of which has been used repeatedly against us. Maybe this will help someone else. So, I'm going to share it.

Anti-LGBT Myths Refuted
By Jeffery A. Johnson

1. “Being gay is a disorder, like cleptomania or pedophilia.”
Not according to the American Psychological Association! Sexual attraction and love between two of the same sex isn’t comparable to a criminal act or the exploitation of an innocent child by an adult.

2. “It’s a choice to be gay. It’s a choice to live the gay lifestyle.”
We choose who we’re attracted to as much as we choose whose womb we came out of at birth, what race we are, and which hand we write with. Ignorance, prejudice, and hatred are choices.

There is no monolithic “gay lifestyle” that all gay people adhere to anymore than heterosexuals can be said to all be living the “straight lifestyle.” We just live our lives. LGBT people have diverse personalities, socio-economic statuses, religious affiliations, political persuasions, hobbies, personal values, tastes in music, etc.

3. “Gay sex is unnatural and disgusting. Cross-dressing is unnatural and disgusting.”
I may find the thought of Aunt Rose and Uncle Bill getting naked together unnatural and disgusting, but that doesn’t mean I’ll judge them for doing so. As long as they harm no one, what they do in private is neither my concern nor anyone else’s.

Until recently, it was taboo for women to wear anything other than a skirt. Girls who are “tomboys” are hardly considered a problem, so why the big fuss over men wearing dresses? That’s a double standard. American culture’s aversion to effeminacy in males is nothing short of pathological. As Ernest Gaines stated, our culture is more comfortable seeing two guys holding guns than holding hands. Think about that.

4. “Gays are incapable of lasting relationships. Gays just care about sex.”
Some gays are promiscuous, as are some straight people. Some gay relationships don’t last, just like many straight marriages don’t. Some gays, like some straights, don’t do well with commitment. On the other hand, there are stories of gay men with AIDS whose partners stay with them, support and take care of them. You don’t have to be straight to be capable of selfless, sacrificial love.

5. “Gays want to recruit children. Gays cannot raise children.”
I have yet to see gay people going door-to-door handing out copies of “The Homotower” to try and convert new gays. It’s impossible to “recruit” anyone to another sexual orientation.

Last time I checked, there are a lot of children of straight parents who are neglected, abused, and worse. There is no evidence that same-sex couples cannot provide a stable, loving home and successfully raise children.

6. “Same-sex couples can’t produce offspring, so they shouldn’t marry.”
This argument against same-sex marriage is ridiculous, considering that some straight couples are unable to have children, which by the above logic should invalidate their partnerships. LGBT people do reproduce, whether in straight marriages or by other means.

7. “Gays want to redefine marriage.”
Marriage has already been redefined. Polygamy was the name of the game in Old Testament times. Women were husbands’ property. Arranged marriage was practiced for centuries, even in Christian societies, though most today would say that’s wrong.

8. “If we allow gay marriage, marriage between animals and people will be next.”
Are you serious? Were you dropped on your head as an infant?

9. “Gays have the same rights as straights. They can marry someone of the opposite sex, too!”
I have the right to live a lie. Thanks a lot! Imagine a society that condemned having blue eyes telling the guy in love with a blue-eyed woman that he still has the right to marry someone with brown or gray eyes. Read: he has the right to deny himself true happiness and marry for convenience or acceptability rather than love.

10. “Gays want special treatment and special rights. Gays have an agenda.”
LGBT people want equal, not “special” rights. We like having the government in our bedrooms and personal lives about as much as straights would. Gays lose jobs, housing, and are denied hospital visitation for their partners because of blatant bigotry. Some murderers of LGBT people have gotten off with slaps on the wrist because there are no federal hate crimes laws to check the power of antigay judges (thanks, George W. Bush!). Our “agenda” is nothing more than to claim our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

11. “You gays just think you’re oppressed when you’re not.”
The families of Sean Kennedy, Matthew Shepherd and of other LGBT persons who were murdered or beaten because of their sexual orientation or gender identity would disagree. These senseless acts were motivated by cold, calculated hatred. Other examples of how LGBT persons are discriminated against have already been listed. Discrimination isn’t always as blatant as beating someone with a bat. It also means dehumanizing LGBT people by telling them they’re not “normal,” which translates, “I’m better than you.”

12. “Gays need to quit flaunting their sexuality.”
Straight people certainly flaunt their sexuality! They have wedding announcements on the break room bulletin boards and in the newspapers, and they openly talk all the time about their relationships. If you’re going to fuss about lesbians holding hands in the mall, you’d better be ready to tell straights to quit doing the same. Don’t like to see men kiss on TV? If you’re going to censor that, I say do away with the straight love scenes, too. After all, some of us get sick of seeing nothing but men kissing women.

13. “Gays shouldn’t serve in the military because they will just flirt with other soldiers.”
That is an insult to numerous LGBT women and men who have bravely served in the armed forces, making the same sacrifices as others. I’d be more worried about straight male soldiers bothering female soldiers and civilians.

14. “I’m not a homophobe just because I don’t support homosexuality or gay marriage. Gays just use the word ‘homophobe’ to label anyone who disagrees with them.”
And I suppose being a 19th-century white American who supported putting Native Americans on reservations, pushing his or her European culture down their throats, and denying them U.S. citizenship would not make one a racist.

Right, and Jews just throw around the term “anti-Semite” at any poor soul who happens to think being Jewish is abnormal, and who refuse to support equal rights for Jews under the law.

[Rick336]

antiochian,

This is excellent!

I'm so glad you did this. Most of us agree with all these points but it's good to have it in front of us. Plus, visitors to this forum who may have questions about homosexuality can read these answers. (I especially like your answer to number 8)

What a great educational tool. Thanks for posting this.


Rick

[Pablo Rafael]

Jeffery,

This is an excellent piece of writing. I am going to send a copy of it to my boyfriend. He will appreciate it. I have heard every anti-LGBT point that you addressed. I love hearing debates on this issue. There is no way the anti-gay side can make a reasonable argument.

Unfortunately I am afraid that many people don't care about a reasonable discussion of the issue. They would rather just listen to people that agree with them. The old "Ignorance is bliss" philosophy is followed by a large number of people.

Pablo

[antiochian]

Appreciate the comments. Reading it over a couple more times has made we wonder if some of what I write isn't a bit mean-spirited. If someone thinks so, please tell me. I just feel that there's a time to be nice and a time to tell it like it is.

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by antiochian

Appreciate the comments. Reading it over a couple more times has made we wonder if some of what I write isn't a bit mean-spirited. If someone thinks so, please tell me. I just feel that there's a time to be nice and a time to tell it like it is.

I don't think it's mean spirited at all. It pretty much tells it like it is.

Rick