So I don't know where I'm going with this. I'm just thinking aloud. I might offend someone. If that person is you, let me apologise in advance. *clears throat* I'm sorry my opinion or ramble affected you negatively. Be warned, adult content or bad language my appear in this entry.

Today while I busted my arse at work there were two young fellers playing in the hallway. I'd guess they were about 11 years old. They were wrestling and chasing after each other. The noise in the hallway didn't bother me, despite it being technically against the rules. They are kids, kids are loud. Cool whatever.

Now, what wasn't cool was that one of them in particular kept calling the other kid a "homo". The first thing I thought of, of course, was that his dad is probably some old-fashioned *bleep* who's full of out dated prejudice. It took me a bit to not say anything about it to him when he finally came to collect the brats, but I need my job, so I shut my face. And, in bad humour, I thought about the kid's repetitive use of "homo" as a playing joke/insult.

I'm one of these people who will say "Well that's gay," or "My computer is being gay," or whatever. It generally means something's not quite right or acting up. Now, I'm careful not to say that around most people, only those who really know my views on things. I don't want people thinking I'm homophobic, because I'm far from it. But, I'm thinking that our use of language reflects our personal opinions and our culture. The way I use "gay" shows it's not an issue I take seriously, and that I understand that culturally it's accepted as abnormal. (Yes, I think too much at work.) I also decided that if I ever catch my kid using "homo" or "fag" etc as an insult, even jokingly, I will beat that child within an inch of it's life. Or send it to the naughty corner, or something that wont send me to jail.

I have a lot of gay friends, and I'm still sure that Obi's gay and he'll have a midlife crisis at 40 and figure it out. I've told him this, and that I'll love him and we can stay friends regardless.
I'm "hetroflexible". I used to say I was bi, but I love penis far too much and can't imagine having a satisfying sex life with a woman (personal preference only). After I have children and my libido drops though, who knows? But either way, gay doesn't bother me.

I really don't see the big freaking deal. Why do some people feel so strongly opposed to it? There's the idiots who think lesbians are fine, but fudge-packing will send you straight to hell. Then you've got people like my Mum. Loved gay people, lots of gay friends - told me if I decided I was Bi I should never tell her because she'd be disgusted. (The "pick a side and stay there" crew). Then you've got the very Pro-gay crowd. You know the ones. The people who need to ram it in your face like it's a big deal. The gays who do more harm than good to their own cause because they simply must cause friction with anyone who might seem vaguely uneasy with the concept of same-sex. Maybe if you didn't make such a big deal out of it, other people might be able to overlook it? Maybe if you act like you think your relationship is normal other people will catch on to the fact you're two people in love and leave it at that? Set a good example, ya know?

I have a friend, and there's a lot of people like this friend in the world. The type of person that personally thinks homosexuality is wrong, but doesn't judge people on it - practicing tolerance and acceptance. You don't have to agree with people, you just have to treat them with respect. And that goes for all sides of the argument, in my opinion.

But really, who cares who's sleeping with who? Being gay doesn't make you a bad person, nor does it give you the right to prance about and whinge that society is against you. You're in the minority, of course you'll feel left out sometimes. I feel left out sometimes because I'm not part of the mainstream religion too, but I don't go around making a big show out of it because I have the brains to realise that will make me more of an outcast, not less of one.

I guess what I'm saying is, it's not such a big deal. It's not so shameful that people need to kill themselves over it. It's not so terrible that families need to break apart over it. It's something society needs to build a big freaking bridge and get over. Love is a hell of a lot better than hate, wouldn't you agree? So who cares who's loving who and how they are doing it? And while we're going about caring less about shit that shouldn't be such a big deal, why don't we educate our children to understand that it's not a big deal and that even if they don't agree with it, that doesn't make it wrong. Let's teach them to stand up for themselves or the quiet gay kid in their class, instead of mutely accepting other people's not-mute-enough prejudices! Let's respect other people and their choices even if we think they are wrong. And while we're at it, how about we legalise gay marriage (I'm talking to you Australia). Yes, I understand and respect that some factions of Christianity are uncomfortable with homosexuality. News flash: You don't have to get married in a church to make it legal anymore! If Christian priests don't want to wed gay people, isn't that their business? There are other religions who like to think their marriage ceremonies are just as valid, and then there's the power of the law without God watching... There's no excuse for same sex couples to remain unrecognized!

So, let us go and love someone else and see past their gender. Let us teach our children. Let us be respectful and tolerant. Let us stop making a big deal over something so trivial.

*Sigh* I doubt any of that even made sense.
Miriam ~ She who makes long posts about things that shouldn't matter as much as they do.