Abraham: This is Me.

(This is a paper I wrote for my English Comp. II class. I recieved an A on the  paper.)

Homosexuality has been around for centuries. What is homosexuality you ask? Eric Marcus, author of the book Is It A Choice says “A homosexual is a person whose feelings of sexual attraction are for someone of the same gender: male for male, female for female” (1). Although it’s been noted in almost every single century of history, it wasn’t until the early 60’s and 70’s that people actually started paying attention. In America in 1969, gay bar goers rioted against the police in New York City bar, the Stonewall Inn (“Key Events in Gay History”). Even though people started paying attention, that didn’t mean that they were positive about it. For years now homosexuality has been condemned and gay men and lesbian woman have been discriminated against. I believe that what Jesus said in the Bible, anyone without sin, shall cast first stone (John 8:7). Many people of various faiths though, believe that homosexuality is immoral or sinful and that men should not lie with other men. This idea has split many people into different categories, which is commonly referred to as nature vs. nurture; but is homosexuality really a choice or something that is born within? My opinion is that it is something that is born into you, not something that can be caused by circumstances.

Sexual orientation is not a choice. Human beings cannot choose whom their hearts; minds, bodies and souls are attracted to. Marcus says, “Whatever your own personal beliefs about how we come into existence… your feelings of sexual attraction come to you very early on in life… and are yours and yours alone and remain yours until you die” (10). On the contrary, some U.S. citizens choose to take the stance of it being a choice. To back up their beliefs they use the passage from the Bible that says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor relievers, nor extortionists shall inherit the Kingdom of God” (2 Corinthians 6:9-10). But as you and I both see, nowhere in there does it say anything about homosexuality. There are also many people who use politics to condemn the people of the gay and lesbian lifestyle. In the late ‘70’s there was an outbreak of people trying to take LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) men and women’s rights away.  As stated in Gus Van Sant’s movie Milk, governor Briggs [said] all gays would die out unless they recruit America’s children, which is why they want to become teachers (Sant). Even nonpolitical affiliated people began advocating taking away rights. Anita Bryant, a former orange juice sales woman began crusading throughout the U.S, preaching that homosexuality was a sin. She is stated as saying, “If homosexuals are allowed their rights, then so would prostitutes or thieves or anyone else” (Sant). Bogus statements like this have been made for decades and are reasons why many people fear homosexual men and women, but that doesn’t mean that the community has just sat by and let it happen. Oh no, they’ve fought back.

Throughout the Gay Rights movement history, one thing has remained true; the U.S. is taking steps to be more accepting. That being said, obviously it hasn’t always been true. When homosexuality started becoming somewhat of a ‘household name’, if you will, things began changing, people became heroes and major steps were made. On the heels of the “Summer of Love” [1969], many gay men began moving to bigger cities like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Bars, clubs, stores and meeting places specified to be “homo” friendly began popping up and people began to take notice, especially the police. From June 28th to the 30th in1969, the Stonewall Riots occurred. An article covering the riots states, “the Stonewall Riots [were] a three-day civil disorder… involving citizens of the Greenwich Village section of New York City who protested the treatment of homosexuals by the New York Police Department (NYPD)… and propelled the Gay Rights movement” (Stonewall Riots). After that men and women began protesting and campaigning for the rights that were owed them. The protesting seemed to work because in “1974: the American Psychiatric Association strikes homosexuality from the list of mental disorders” (“Key Events in Gay History”). Just like many people began to fight against homosexuality, many people rose up to fight for it. One person in particular comes to mind, Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was a gay rights activist from California who set the world ablaze with his speeches of acceptance and love. Harvey began all of his speeches with a very simple line, “My name is Harvey Milk and I am here to recruit you” (Sant). After watching people like Anita Bryant deface the men and women of the gay community, Harvey knew he had to do something. He ran for San Francisco City Supervisor and won. Shortly after becoming the first openly gay person in any political office, Harvey was murdered by a fellow commissioner in 1978.  After his death, gay activism took a huge hit and no steps were made towards gay rights, until in “1981: the first case of AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome), a sexually transmitted disease prevalent among gay men, is reported. Many Americans begin to associate homosexuality with AIDS and promiscuous sex” (“Key Events in Gay History”). After the outbreak, people began activating not only for gay rights but also for the rights of the Americans who were plagued with this incurable disease. Some setbacks occurred in ’93 and ’96 when President Clinton passed the DADT (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) policy and the DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act) barring soldiers from being openly gay in the military and defining marriage between a man and a woman (Key Events in Gay History). Also, in 1998 Matthew Shepard, a gay college student was tied to a fence, beaten and left to die; this event was the first publicized hate crime on homosexual people and caused a nation to react. This trial put in place hate crime laws that would benefit the people of the LGBT community.

In more recent years though, bullying and suicides due to sexual orientation have become prominent. After gay marriage was allowed in California, many Americans once again began choosing sides. The publicity behind this event and the negative responses from many Americans has left a nasty whole in the US to the tune of hatred. In a span of a year almost 20 reported suicides due to bullying were reported. Many people have felt that they needed to do something, so Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller created the “It Gets Better “project, a youbtube.com project crated to help the younger generation of LGBT peoples to see they had people out there who loved them. Celebrities, people, teachers, pastors, couples, mothers, fathers, and many other types of people have submitted videos to help show their support. Even President Obama submitted a video saying, “As a nation we’re founded on the belief that all of us are equal and each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness; to make the most of our talents, to speak our minds; to not fit in; most of all, to be true to ourselves” (qted in Savage 10). Ellen Degeneres, a TV talk show host was quoted as saying, “Things will get easier, people’s minds will change, and you should be alive to see it” (qted in Savage 38). With all that being said, I believe that in order to fix the future we must rely on the past, because without the past there is no future especially in cases like how America deals with HIV infected people, how we as a country are going to deal with the suicides of our younger generation and to embrace the fervor that our forefathers of the Gay Rights movement had.

Although homosexuality has been around for years, it’s taken centuries to open peoples eyes. Some may still hate the LGBT kind, they always will, but if the love is greater, it will suppress the sounds of hate. We must respect those who have come before us, and the millions of people who have died so that we can stand where we are today. Change is coming and the future is bright my friends, let’s stand together and fight of the rights that we all deserve; we are all still human beings after all.

Justin was getting ready for Pine Valley University’s annual fundraiser for the arts, the theme for the night was ‘fashion through the ages’ and Justin had chosen to wear blue jeans, a white t-shirt, black suspenders and a blue and white pinstriped hat. He reached down and checked the time on his phone, he frowned. Garren hadn’t text him back, he was probably going to have to work late so Justin had decided to invite Finn. He sat his phone back down on the counter and finished doing his hair.

Across town, Finn was jumping into a cab, he’d chosen to wear a black t-shirt, dark jeans, and boots, he had also chosen to wear mascara on his eyes. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number, he spoke hushed so the cab driver could not hear him. “Is everything ready?” He asked settling down in the cab seat more. “Yes, midnight and dude go easy on me, after all I am a model.”

Justin arrived at ConFusion and took a seat at the bar, the room was filled with red lighting and the words “Fashion Through The Ages” was beamed on the walls. Justin smiled as he saw other guests arrive, he greeted them and led them to the bar. Just then, Finn arrived, he walked through the crowds of people and over to Justin “Hey babe, thanks for inviting me.” He said hugging Justin, his english had improved but he still had his italian accent. Justin smiled, “Hey Finn it’s no biggie, Garren has to work late so it’s just us.” Finn beamed a devilish smile.

Justin and Finn spent the rest of the night laughing and conversing with everyone, until Justin excused himself to go check on Garren who still hadn’t called or returned his text messages. He took the elevator up to the Fusion floor, and stepped out. Garren was rummaging through papers and looked stressed. Justin approached Garren, “You know Erica can’t work you this hard all the time.” He walked over to his finace’ and laid his hand on his shoulder. Garren brushed it off. “What like you care now?” He shot back, not stopping or glancing at Justin. Justin was shocked, he stepped back. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He asked, his anger building. “I think you know exactly what it means.” Garren retorted, slamming his hands down on the desk. “Why are you here with Finn?” He asked, not waiting for an answer he said, “Why exactly did you not tell me you were coming with him?” 

Justin was stunned. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal Gar, me and Finn work together, it means nothing.” Garren smirked. “Yeah nothing, that’s why the boy makes googly eyes at you every chance he gets.” Justin was infuriated. “He does not Garren! Wow working for Erica sure has paid off hasn’t it?” He snapped, walking towards the roof access. He turned around, “And just so you know, I enjoyed myself tonight, without you, I hope you’re happy.” He slammed the door and slid down against it, tears filling his eyes. ‘Why would Garren think such a thing?’ He thought.

After cooling off, Justin went back into Fusion, to head downstairs, but Garren was nowhere to be found. He looked at the clock on the wall, and realized it was midnight and he’d left Finn alone downstairs. As he reached the elevator, Amanda ran through, “Justin you have to hurry! It’s Finn, someone beat him up in the parking garage!” Justin’s heart sank, he followed Amanda through the crowds of people and outside to the parking garage. He saw the ambulances flashing lights as he approached the scene. Jesse was already on the scene and forced Justin to stay back. “No!” Justin said, scared he was loosing his friend. “Let me through, I have to see him, I was supposed to watch over him!” 

Jesse shoved Justin back, “The only thing we need you to do is go and get your fiancé’.” He stated. “Why? What does Garren have to do with any of this?” He asked, tears falling from his face, worry creeping into his heart. “Well from what Mr. Grant says, Garren has a hell of a lot to do with this, he’s the one who beat him up.” Justin froze, speechless. He watched as the paramedics placed Finn into the EMT vehicle. He couldn’t move, couldn’t form a sentence and didn’t know what to do now.