Because I am an openly gay man, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, “He doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Gays don’t have what it takes.”
I have always been interested in how society came to be constructed in such a way that we are prejudicial towards certain groups. With regard to homosexuality for example, most cultures tend to look down on homosexuals as second-class citizens. Homosexuality is often deemed to be “unnatural” and therefore of no benefit to society. Even in Western cultures where homosexuals are tolerated, they are seldom accepted. This has lead to my belief that because I am an openly gay man, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, “He doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Gays don’t have what it takes.”
My question to greater society is simple – have you ever thought of the benefits that homosexuals bring to society? It’s interesting to read the paper Homosexuality: Its Genetic Basis & Evolutionary Benefit where it is argues that not only is homosexuality natural, it bestows evolutionary benefits to the cultures in which it is allowed to function freely, in accordance with Nature’s design.
In past Native American societies, for example, homosexuals were valued members of the tribe and were given specific responsibilities. By not having children of their own they brought to their kinship groups an increased capacity for the production of food and other essentials while at the same time they did not increase the load on the vital supplies of the group. Since homosexuals tend to have fewer children, they have more energy to contribute to the advancement of society. This is seen historically, in the apparent over-representation of gay and lesbian philosophers, artists, and other creative individuals in western society.
Most persecution of homosexuals is based on religious norms that become societal norms. Currently we see a dynamic in some of religious groups which concentrate on anti-gay rhetoric. While this may build cohesion within their group, it increases the level of hatred and mistrust in society, and lowers our ability to cooperate. These effects are counterproductive.
Unfortunately it is going to take a lot more time and effort to change society’s perception of homosexuals; however I am confident that there is slow improvement. Until that day we will just have to make unusual efforts to succeed so that no one can say that we don’t have what it takes!
