No one deserves to live in a closet. That’s what Harry Potter movies taught us, right?
So let’s talk about some who are still ‘closeted’ and whom we call homosexuals. Don’t worry if you’re homophobic. This post isn’t for you, but here’s a great welcome to those who think this is perfectly normal and believe homos aren’t on the wrong side of the wall.
In today’s world, we see that identity is an essential aspect because it explains an individual’s characteristics. This aids in categorizing them, making it easier for us to deal with these people. But who are these people?
They are just ordinary people who are attracted to the same gender. They should not be labelled as “not straight.” Do we refer to the colour black as non-white? Or the bottle of ketchup as non-mustard? Giving people names or labelling them has long been a practice. The person is branded into a pre-determined category where all people with that “label” are viewed as the same.
Why is it so difficult to accept that a girl loves another girl or a boy loves another boy the same way a man loves a woman? Is marrying a person of the opposite gender only justified because they can have children while Homos cannot? There are adoption homes and orphanages, still love, or marriage should not be done solely to have children. To live a happy and peaceful life, all one needs is a companion to share their love with.
If we follow nature’s lead, we will realize that sexuality was implanted in our bodies primarily for reproduction, and we’re all here as a result. It’s because there is pleasure attached to it. But if there was no pleasure in it, no one would do it; giving birth is a harrowing experience for a woman. Even so, we see that many people today do not pursue pleasure. Just because someone is romantically attracted to another person does not mean they must be sexually attracted to that person, right? It’s because some people can think beyond their hormones.
Many people consider homosexuality an illness, a sinful act that can be remedied. But how can you rectify something that isn’t wrong? How can medicine be created when there is no disease? Covid requires treatment. Identities don’t. Love is not bad, and it can be felt by anyone.
We’ve all grown up watching Disney movies that instilled morality in children subtly. But who decides what morals should be depicted in these films? Why does only a Prince save Sleeping Beauty or fall in love with Cinderella? Why can’t it be a Princess?
With heterosexuality as society’s assumed sexuality, non-heterosexuals face increased discrimination and prejudice. The prevalence of heteronormativity in popular culture has altered how people perceive homosexuality. It’s like public vs. private, with heterosexuality being public and homosexuality being confidential, thus not to be discussed. Do we still have that age-old thinking ki jo chala aa raha hai, wahi theek hai? The problem is this is what we have been taught as kids. It was Jack and Jill who went up the hill, and not Jack and Johnny!
This is one of the topics that is rarely discussed, particularly in India, where it is considered a stigma, and societal acceptance is still a long way off. However, young people are becoming more accepting of this due to the increased awareness generated by social media and films. Homosexuality was subtly depicted in films such as Kapoor & Sons, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Dostana, and others. These films made numerous attempts to challenge society’s established norms. However, they are still few and far between. So there is a growing need for more attempts to challenge and subvert the established sexual orientation norms.
But that’s just one part of the problem. The bigger ones come when homosexuals are told things like, “I can cure your disease,” or “So what’s in your pants?” “You don’t look like one,” “There are only two genders,” “It’s a phase,” or “Just pick a side.” Well, attraction isn’t a game of dodgeball, is it?
The fact that one aspect of the physical occupies so much of the human mind creates a wrong view of life. Being ruled by your sexual orientation, whether hetero or homo, is essentially the same thing. You are entirely ruled by one aspect within you. An aspect created for a specific purpose has now become the most dominant factor in you, to the point where you cannot think otherwise. Isn’t it a pity? Nature trusted us, humans, with our intelligence and believed that our minds could function independently of our hormones, but much of humanity has failed nature. So it doesn’t matter what kind of sexual identity we’ve received; being identified with a few body parts is terrible enough.
Many people in the world are confused as to what precisely determines sexual orientation. Several scientific studies have been conducted, and the findings contradict people’s commonly held beliefs. Most people believe that because they are different, homosexuals must be strange, cursed, immoral, or subject to punishment. Because of this fear, people remain in the closet, sometimes forever, because they don’t want to become prey to the judgmental eyes of their family and the world. How difficult will it be for their parents to find them a match of the same gender? Will the homophobic society accept it? (But then homosexuality ends with ‘ality,’ so does ‘reality’ and ‘personality.’ While homophobia ends with ‘phobia,’ which is an anxiety disorder, and OMG! It’s that part of the society that needs help, not the Homos. They are doing great!)
But thankfully, the attitude towards homosexuality has shifted over time. It is no longer considered abnormal behaviour and has been removed from the list of mental disorders. It has been decriminalized in many countries like Argentina, Australia, France, South Africa, the UK, and India, too (cheers to section 377 of the Indian Penal Code).
With such awareness, many events have been held for this community. For example – Gay and Lesbian Pride in Johannesburg, The Gay and the Lesbian film festival in Lisbon, Porto Pride Party in Portugal, Pink Dot in Singapore, etc. Cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Nagpur, and many others, have also hosted the gay pride march. This clearly shows India’s homosexual community and how vocal they are in their demands and rights. Even though it took a lot of time, the decision regarding Section 377 is commendable.
If you’ve made it this far, I’d like to thank you for your time because it means you’re not one of those ‘homophobes.’ We need more people like you in this world. Surely then, will we get the nerve to convince the rest of the world to change its mind and welcome diversity in all its forms?
I remember reading these beautiful lines somewhere “being a homo is like being left-handed. Some people are, most people aren’t, and nobody knows why. But it’s not wrong or right. It’s just the way it is!” You can think of it this way, or, more importantly, you don’t have to label them because they aren’t different. They are Homo sapiens (the scientific name of the human species).
So whenever a person goes up to them and asks about their identity, it reminds them that coming out is never a one-time thing! Every new person they meet, they get asked the same question. It’s frustrating.
Therefore the next time someone tells you or your homo friend that being “homo” is actually a CHOICE, please ask them – When did they decide to become STRAIGHT?
Here’s to loving who you love, to stand in your authenticity, and to the people of generations passed who fought to gain the rights and opportunities that are there in the world today. ❤️
Let’s celebrate the national #pridemonth 🏳️🌈 and spread some love!
That's what she said by Palak 