Gays Are Not Criminals

I find many views on homosexuality today very rude and appalling. Lately, homosexuality has become a huge issue. Not sure if it's due to more people "coming out", a surge of people who oppose homosexuality, or both. While I have never dated anyone of the same sex, I don't feel it's right to condemn gays just because they're individuals who are attracted to the same sex. Every day I either see or hear ignorant and many times untruthful things concerning homosexuals. The motto seems to be, "what ever is bad in society, blame it on the homosexual community". The main two arguments that upset me is the belief that gays promote pedophilia and that their "sin" should be grouped with others such as incest.

How in the world can anyone compare homosexual behavior with pedophilia or incest? Homosexuality has been viewed as a sexual perversion by many, especially those with religious beliefs. I was raised as a Christian, and while I no longer practice Christianity or believe in god for that matter, I've noticed that the Bible is being used as an excuse for Christians as well as others to site homosexuality as an "abomination". Even if it is (which I don't think), that doesn't give Christians or any other religious group the right to associate gays with criminals.

It's fine that people have opposing views on homosexuality, rather they're using their religious beliefs or not. However, the concept that homosexuals, pedophiles, and those who commit incest, are one in the same is just mind boggling. It's not just coming from those who are against homosexuality due to religion, but also from our government officials. Earlier this year, Rep. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota spoke against a federal hate crimes bill (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act) that's aimed to include "sexual orientation" among other things, to an existing federal law that already includes "race, color, religion, or national origin." Her reason was because she felt the bill would protect pedophiles. In her own words, "Apparently people who are practicing pedophiles would be considered protected under this legislation, but not, I understand, veterans, not, I understand, pregnant women, not, I understand, 85-year-old grandmothers would be protected under this law. But who would be protected? A pedophile, someone who considers themselves gay, someone who considers themselves transgender, someone who considers themselves a cross-dresser? That is who is protected."

So, let me get this correct, a same sex couple who love each other and who are in a committed and consensual relationship can in anyway be tied to a pedophile? Well, for those who may not know what a pedophile is, it's a person who preys on children in a sexual manner. So, an adult who is sexually attracted to a child should be grouped with an adult who is sexually attracted to another adult who just happens to be of the same sex? This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, and is highly offensive to many. In no way should the two, homosexuals and pedophiles even be considered grouped in the same discussion. How can people view something as sick and hurtful as pedophilia with anything unless it's another criminal act towards a minor?

Another thing that upsets me and I'm sure it upsets a lot of people gay or straight, is the linking of homosexuals with incest. Are you kidding me? To think that homosexuality is a form of sexual perversion is one thing but to go and say homosexuals are more capable of, or in any way be closely tied to incest is going way too far.

This topic seems to come up a lot with same sex couples who desire to have or already have a child. So many people seem to be against same sex marriages and the whole same sex family model. The fact is, same sex couples are just as capable of raising a healthy and happy family like heterosexual couples are. There is no proof that show homosexual couples are likely to commit heinous crimes such as incest than heterosexual couples. I would suggest everyone do real research instead of listening to "word of mouth" and other peoples view points on homosexuals. A gay man who has a sexual relationship with another man is not the same as a grown man having a sexual relationship with a child that is related to him; or any other form of incest.

In America, we're so quick to say "we want everyone created equal, give everyone equal rights" but we sure don't act like we do. Not for race, not for gender, and definitely not sexuality. I think it's past time that people begin to grow up and start respecting one another instead of all this hateful nonsense. It's getting us nowhere.

Sources:

Andy Birkey,
http://minnesotaindependent.com/33675/bachmann-compares-gays-to-pedophiles-on-hate-crimes-bill
The Minnesota Independent

Matthew Shepard Online Resources, http://www.wiredstrategies.com/afa.html Wired Strategies

Dr. James Dobson, http://www.nogaymarriage.com/tenarguments.asp Gay Marriage: Why Would It Affect Me?