Phobia noun an extreme or irrational fear of, or aversion to, something; synonyms: dread, terror, hatred, loathing, revulsionWhen someone has a phobia of something, most people tend to think that it means they are irrationally scared of whatever it is the phobia is about. Does that mean that people who are homophobic are irrationally scared of homosexuality? If so, then I feel that homophobia is an inaccurate label for a lot of people; they aren't scared of homosexuality, they hate it.
But why do we hate things? The things we hate tend to be things that we don't understand, or don't like being around. If this is the case then could education help homophobics overcome their homophobia? Granted, if someone wants to get over a phobia, they first have to acknowledge that it is, in fact, a phobia and completely irrational.
I just want people to accept me for who I am. I want to be able to hold my girl's hand in public without people looking at us like we are odd. I want to be able to cuddle with her at her grandparent's house. I want to be a normal, twitter patted girl who is in the throws of a crush.
But I can't be and it sucks.
And I sound like a broken record, I know. And I almost don't care haha
Wanting to show love and not being allowed to is like wanting to breath when you're under water. It is painful and devastating regardless of your choices. Things have gotten better. We have found places where we can find our purchase, kick off of the ground, and take grateful gulps of air once we break the surface. But too many of us are still stuck in the water, drowning.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful way to put it
DeleteWell Personally I don't notice the stares, nervous giggles, pointing & whispering as much anymore, it doesn't mean that it's not there, I just don't see it & to be honest I just don't care. My girlfriend & I show affection where ever we go, it would feel weird not to hold hands in public. If people want to stare & whisper, they are welcome to do so. I get that it might be weird for some people especially the older people, but I am comfortable with who I am, I am proud of who I am, and I am proud to be with the most amazing girl ever, I am not ashamed of who I am, thus I don't let it get to me when strangers in the street stare at me/us, they don't know me/us & the people who do know me are fine with who I am & who I'm with.
ReplyDeleteAs for the grandparents issue... That one is even difficult for me. Older people, especially religious older people take a lot longer to accept. Out of respect for my grandparents, I won't be all to affectionate with my girlfriend when they are around. It's not because I am ashamed of who I am, it's truly out of respect. They know I'm gay, even though we have never had that talk, they really aren't that stupid. But it's like, my mom who won't smoke in front of her parents, she's 45years old but out of respect for them she won't smoke in front of them even though they know she smokes.
So Erin I wish you all the best. I know how hard it is to accept the unacceptance of other people. But in the end you need to accept yourself & make peace with who you are & who your with. Learn to ignore all the staring strangers, they don't know who you are or where you've been.