For the longest time, the gay and lesbian community was openly criticized and persecuted by the public. The hatred for the lesser-known preferences went beyond common sense and led to a countless number of tragedies, such as the Tyler Clementi case at Rutgers University.
However, these days, as laws allowing same sex marriages are passed and as public opinion becomes more open and “lenient” toward the gay and lesbian community, the public perspective of people who are still uncomfortable with the concept of same sex relationships are very strict and critical. Just like the gay and lesbian community were forced to believe and accept that same sex relationships are wrong and, therefore should be hidden and denied, today, people who still are uncomfortable accepting homosexual relationships are put down as “wrong.” Now, people are scared to even hint that they are uncomfortable with gays and lesbians.
“I have nothing against gays and lesbians, but…” always has to be said when addressing the topic. But why? Why can someone not have the right to like or not like gays and lesbians? For the longest time, people were forced to believe that homosexual relationships are wrong. Now, people are forced to accept that they are right?
This article is not written to justify all or even any one of the horrific hate crimes committed against the gay and lesbian community. Those crimes are definitely and truly unjust and should not be repeated or forgiven. This article is to bring to light the fact that there is another community that is starting to be criticized, and therefore, significant measures should be taken so history does not repeat itself and put another group of people in years of persecution.
The day the law that legalized same sex marriages passed in the United States, Facebook, the popular social networking site, was flooded with statuses celebrating the freedom regarding marriages. However, there also were insulting hate messages for those who opposed the passing of the law.
People have their right to like or not like a concept. People have a right to like or not like a person. Not everybody has to be forced to understand each other.
People tend to confuse what to “justly criticize” one another. What should be criticized is the immature and unjust way that people express the fact that they approve or disapprove of homosexual relationships. As long as people do not insult, discriminate against and commit criminal offenses against a certain community, people should be open to whether or not someone is for or against homosexual relationships. They should not be inclined to always say, “I have nothing against gays and lesbians, but…”
There is always a proper way to voice an opinion on a publicly controversial topic and there is always an efficient, proper and legal way to go against an already set law.
For example, Kim Davis has the freedom to not like the law that makes her issue marriage licenses at her job. She has the freedom to stick to and follow her religious beliefs, and personally not like a law. However, not issuing marriage licenses is against the law. And if people start to disobey every single law that personally, religiously or politically does not suit their beliefs, there will be chaos. Kim Davis should have found a way to legally petition to change the law if she feels so strongly against the legalization of same sex marriages.
What Kim Davis should be criticized for is her immature way of protesting a law. She should not be attacked for her beliefs. People should not attack her religion and the Bible. Her religion should not be mocked.
This is the United States of America. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It is a given that not one person in this country approves of every other person he or she knows and every one of the beliefs that everyone else has. There should be respect for every belief, lifestyle and law. No one should be scared to express his or her thoughts. But everyone should be careful, respectful and also legal, when they try to persuade, protest and express a thought.
ppark1@ramapo.edu