Nov 19, 2008

What's So Scary About Gays Getting Married? (My thoughts on Gay Marriage)

I read the news about California people voting against gay marriage last November 5th. It's really upsetting to know that there are still people who won't give gays their right to marry the people they love. After the historical win of Obama, California voters wrongfully denied gays their right to marry their partners.

If you've read my previous posts, you know that I've been with my life partner Mai for more than 3 years now. We've been living together for more than 2 years. As much as we want to get married, we can't because Philippine laws don't allow gays to get married here.

I've had "straight" relationships before Mai. My nanay was completely shocked and disappointed to learn the fact that after 26 years of being with men, I'm in a "gay" relationship with Mai. My nanay and I had arguments and discussions regarding my relationship with Mai. She told me that it's against our religion (I'm Catholic). She argued that it's against God's will because a woman is meant to be with a man.

I completely disagreed with her with the part wherein she said that it's against God's will. I don't believe God disapproves of gay relationships. He looks at us as 2 people who are in love, that's it. I told my nanay that's the only thing that matters.

I also argued that if God didn't love us, why would we receive blessings from Him? He allowed me and Mai to work for the same company, to have the same schedule, to overcome all obstacles that we've encountered in our 3-year relationship. I don't believe God will judge me based on who I love but how I live my life, how I treat others, if I'm following the Golden Rule.

By the way, if you read the Bible, you should know that there were written events of certain practices such as slavery, sacrificing other humans for "blessings" - argh. I don't even want to discuss that here. Don't get me wrong, though. I just believe that the "Holy" Bible was written by humans. All I care about is that God wants me to treat others the way I want to be treated (Golden Rule).

I understood that my nanay was so disappointed because she already lost all chances of having a grandkid. My brother, FYI, is also gay. Our parents knew he's gay since he was in high school. So, my parents were hoping to have a grandkid when I decide to get married with a man. Hey, they can still have one with me or Kenneth. We're both planning to have our own adopted kids with our partners in the future.

Regarding labels, I don't consider myself a lesbian. I'm not attracted to other women. But, I appreciate both men and women. Bisexual? No, I don't think so. I just don't want to label myself as a lesbian or bisexual. All I know is I'm in love with Mai.

I don't understand why, in this millenium, gays are still not given the right to marry the people they love. I'm not for gay marriage because I'm with Mai. Even before I led this "gay" life, I questioned why there are people who still think that God doesn't love gay people.

I've got a lot of homosexual friends - gays, lesbians, bisexuals, even transexuals. There are a lot of smart gay people. They're emotionally stable and professionals.

I'm also friends with the other type of gay people - those who are loud, completely open with their sexuality, that might irritate most people. But, still, I believe EVERYONE should be given the right to MARRY the person they love and believe they want to spend the rest of their lives with.

I know that most people who stereotype against gays, thinking that all gays and lesbians can't sustain stable relationships, are those who don't have gay friends. I have gay friends and I know gay couples, young and old, who have been together for years and their relationships are as stable as they can get.

From my observations, homosexuals, especially lesbians, tend to exert more effort with their relationships. Maybe because it's difficult to find someone who's willing to get into the "gay life" and accept their sexuality.

Why are there people against gay marriage? I tried to come up with reasons and, so far, here's what I got:

1. They're scared that their kids might end up a homosexual when gays are allowed to marry and express their sexuality in the open.
I believe it's up to you as a parent to guide them. If they end up gay later in their lives, you have to accept them and continue loving them. I know that's easier said and done. Even I want my future kids to be straight. But, I wouldn't make it difficult for my kids if they want to lead the gay life. Not accepting them will cause more problems in the future.

2. They believe it's against God's will, the Bible or whatever their religion taught them since they were young.
I grew up a Catholic but I believe that God accepts us and forgives us for our sins. I don't consider being gay a sin, though. Like what I've said earlier, I believe that God cares more about how we treat each other and ourselves. I believe that as long as you're not hurting anyone, you can go ahead and live your life.

3. Gays are all vulgar people/Homosexual relationships are all about sex.
This is completely wrong. I've seen gay couples who have way better relationships than my straight friends.

And out of all the relationships (believe me, I've had lots) that I had in my life, this relationship with Mai has been the best. I never expected that I'll be falling in love with someone of the same sex. But, here I am, more than 3 years in a relationship with Mai and still completely in love with her. We want to get married in the future, maybe outside the Philippines.

4. Gays are not NORMAL people.
What the hell?!?! I know of highly successful gays in almost every professional field out there so people who think gays are of the lowest breed of humans, they'd better look around.

5. Gays became homosexuals because they can't find anyone straight to be with them.
I won't deny it. There are lame people who'll go into a relationship with gay people because they're desperate. Even my nanay thought I was desperate. Haller?!? I can be with whoever I choose before Mai but I chose to be with her. I just hate it when people think gays are losers. I hate it when ignorant people speak about something they don't really comprehend.

* * * * *

I pity the 18,000 gay couples who got married in California. Because of some people's close-mindedness, their marriage would be considered null and void. Tsk tsk.

I don't think our country, the Philippines, will ever legalize gay marriage. Most people here are close-minded. That is why me and Mai are planning to go abroad just so we can marry. I know that the laws here won't still recognize us as a married couple but just the thought and feeling of getting married to the one I love the most will suffice. But we also have plans of living abroad or in a country where people like us are socially fully accepted.

*sigh* I envision a day when homosexuals will be completely accepted by everyone. Stop the prejudice and discrimination please.

Can you tell me of other reasons why people are so against gay marriage?

I dedicate this post to my brother, my gay friends and Mai:





Pictures (L to R):
Mai, Kenneth (my bro), Lindon & Joseph, Joel, Saji, James

Quotes on Gay Life:
"It seems to me that the real clue to your sex-orientation lies in your romantic feelings rather than in your sexual feelings. If you are really gay, you are able to fall in love with a man, not just enjoy having sex with him."
- Christopher Isherwood

"It's better to be black than gay because when you're black you don't have to tell your mother."
- Charles Pierce

"We had gay burglars the other night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture."
- Robin Williams

12 comments:

  1. why don't they just label jars, not people!

    hirey for people like you!

    clap, clap!

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  2. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Excellent points you raised. It's shocking to know how many bigots are still living in this world. Good luck to you and more blessings to your partnership with Mai. Anyway you don't need the "blessing" from the church. So long as you two love each other, that's all that matters indeed. The heck with the society and the church.

    God bless.

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  3. @ Emmanuel - I agree with you. Why don't they leave gays alone? They don't bite. hehehe. Well...

    @ Hammed - Exactly. But, of course, I'm still looking forward to a time when gays will be completely accepted by everyone and laws everywhere will recognize them and their bonds.

    Thank you for the comments! :)

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  4. Anonymous12:13 PM

    excuse me, im NOT gay but i just have to comment on this LOL.

    first of all, i dont believe that being gay is a crime, a desease, nor a sin (i dont think that its in the 10 commandments either). being gay doesnt prohibit you from being a Christian. God loves us unconditionally that even if we commit sins (stealing, adultery, murder, etc.) over and over again, He will still forgive us as long as we repent and accept Him in to our lives. Coz in the end, the only thing that's gonna matter is:

    John 3:16 --- For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

    if you believe (from the bottom of ur heart wether ur gay, straight, black, white, rich, poor, ex convict, etc.) that Jesus Christ is your one and only Savior, you will be SAVED no matter how much sins uve committed in the past. and ofcourse, we're all humans and we make mistakes and sometimes we commit sins but we will still be forgiven as we repent.

    i dont think that religious people or the straight stereotypes should talk so much crap about Gay people. being gay may be immoral to other people's eyes, but it is not our place to judge them. and wether we like it or not, Homosexuality is a part of our society, GET OVER IT!

    i have nothing against homosexuality. like you, i have gay friends (ur one of them, duh?!) and my brother is gay as well. i dont care if their sexual preference or the way they live their life is different from mine, its how they treat other people. HOWEVER, i still believe in the traditional marriage which is between a man and a woman. and a child should be raised by a mother and a father. i know i am old fashioned and so traditional in some aspects and the world is changing so fast and the society is becoming liberal but there are certain morals and values that im not willing to give up and i want to share those to my child but at the same time teach her tolerance and open mindedness towards other people's opinions and beliefs.

    sorry mhel, i got carried away. ang haba amp ... hahaha!

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  6. It's not so scary at all, the whole thing seems a bit ridiculous, but unfortunately there are prejudices against so many things, things that shouldn't matter to other people. I mean really why should people care, it's not hurting them personally -- just don't get it.

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  7. Here! Here! Great post.

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  8. Anonymous10:26 PM

    Pare fuck them all, thanks for writing this... para sa mga bobong makikitid ang utak... tang ina nyo! bwahahaha!

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  9. Anonymous10:01 PM

    hi.. im edz, college student... i'm looking for sites/topic dat wud support my debate for one of my subjects about same sex marriage & my serch led me to your post... khit medyo my katagalan na tong post mo, don't even know kung mbbsa m p coment ko.. like u', if im not mistaken.. im not gay or anything im just inlove wid da same gender, nver ko enexpect dat such is posible to me knowing na d nmn ako gay or anything i even had boyfrnds b4 but im now deeply inlove wd her... well gudluck po 2u and mai.. i'll use your post for my debate tomorow to prove those who thinks were freaks just because of fallin inlove wd da same sex., :)

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  10. Anonymous10:04 PM

    thanks for writing this.... edz

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  11. Edz:
    Thank you for the appreciation and sharing your story. Pareho tayo halos ng story - not gay but fell in love with the same sex. I hope and pray that discrimination against same sex couples would stop and people who think we don't deserve the right to marry the one we love would stop and think "What is it really to me? How will it affect my life if gays were allowed to get married? Will it affect me drastically?"

    @Chikay: Posted this way too late but hope she gets to read this. Regarding what you said, "here are certain morals and values that im not willing to give up"... What is really so bad about gays getting married?! It's still love. How can people discriminate against that?!

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  12. And by the way, I get notifications for new comments on my blog. That way, I can respond ASAP. Thanks for posting! Hope you'll post an update here re: your debate.

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