Is Who You Love Punishable?


At the young age of 4 my cousin, Andy, knew he was gay. All through his child to young adult years he tried to hide his true feelings. Andy knew he could not help the feelings he was getting. He would date girls he had absolutely no love for just to stay away from the harassment and hate he knew he would receive. People would think he was a second class citizen, Andy believed his jobs, relationships, goals, and his life would ultimately be worse than that of a straight male. Unfortunately in this day in age most homosexual teens believe those thoughts and fear for the worst. The problem is you should not be punished for loving who you love no matter what sex or color. Homosexuals are discriminated against just like blacks were until the civil rights movement began. I believe that homosexuals all around the world should be treated just like everyone else, as I feel it would help promote equality, have people judge less, and give the world a much more diverse culture and feel.


In 76 countries being homosexual is illegal. In some countries loving someone can have you rotting in a jail cell or even the death penalty. I cannot find a reason for these punishments to even be considered in our world. Yes it is biblical in nature for homosexuality to be thought as a sin, but when as a society are we going to realize that as we continually have homosexuals on our planet that maybe god meant for them to be created. In nearly every religion the “God” is kind, forgiving, loving, and peaceful. So why such gods would not be forgiving of homosexuals or loving of all men and women is very contradictory. How can human beings want to put away people for loving who they love? If someone restricted you of even being able to talk to someone because of whom you loved, would you continue to see that person and love them?


According to recent surveys gay bullying is 30% of all teen suicides. this is due to the fact that they are seen as different. Recently the boy scouts have been in the news a lot because they are standing firm on not letting homosexual individuals into their association. In one case 17 year old Ryan Andreson has been denied the right to become an eagle scout because of his sexual orientation. Why should something he deserved not be given to him? He earned it; he gave his time and definitely deserves the honor. It’s the same way with other homosexual teens. In most cases when their friends or family think they are straight they are well liked and are not discriminated against, but as soon as they express their feelings they are cut off and isolated. I feel terrible for Ryan as I know all those friends he’s made and role models he has looked up to are now just people who will continue to judge him and this young boy continues to keep his faith in god even after all being disrespected and hated.


In terms of our generation, we’ve come a long way since our parents and grandparents times. My grandfather was so uncomfortable with his nephew being gay he couldn’t even go to his civil union. I respect my grandfather, but how could his own nephew’s sexual orientation get in the way of his love to even view his promise to who he loved? What does this represent in our way of life in America? Has tolerance completely left our heads? Whether someone has completely different feelings or different opinions of you should we really completely cut them out of our lives? Think of just how much more closer we’d be as a family if my grandfather could accept my cousin for who he was, and apply that to our nation or even to our world. If we start with accepting sexual orientation others will see we can reach to a further outlook on life and as a whole we can all get along and build a better future for all generations no matter who they love, who they worship, or what race they are. Imagine your best friend, or if you don’t have one the friend you are most close to. Think about all the memories you shared with them and the things you’ve done with them. Now imagine if they were gay, does your opinion change? Would you still accept them and would they still be your one of your best/closest friends? Can you still confide in them, love them, and hang out? How should that one little change in who they like affect your friendship? The answer is simple, it shouldn’t.


No single human being should have to be discriminated against because of who they love. For our world to even have thoughts of killing people for such believes is downright sick. I know my cousin Andy is happy and that’s all I care about. It doesn’t matter if he’s my family or not, for someone to be happy and enjoy their life is great, we should never persecute people of their happiness. Our world could be a better place, our children could be more tolerant and happy with whom they are, and everything would be so much more diverse and prosperous.