What intrigued me the most about this week's reading was the list of "Heterosexual Privileges". After reading the entire list I realized how many privileges I have as a straight woman. I realized that I take for granted many of the rights on this list as compared to the short list I had when it came to my religion. This list is so much longer than the list that was in the readings for "Christian Privileges". But, I think the difference between religion and sexual orientation is that sexual orientation is a very public and social aspect of our lives. When you find love you want to share it with your friends, your family, and the world. It is a big element of who we are and how we decide to live our lives.
The Loving vs. Virginia case proves how there are always people out there who are constantly policing other's lives. I thought to myself "Aren't there criminals the police should be catching?!" Anna Quintan's quote "Why does all the worst stuff get done in my name?" (God's name). Most times when you hear a group advocating against homosexuality, God's name is thrown in there. Sometimes I wonder if that is the justification of hate against a group of people.
When I read the articles I immediately thought of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". I love that movie. With comedy, the movie puts to the forefront the problems gay/homosexual couples face. There is a part in the movie where a group of church goers say the word "faggot". The movie gives the viewer a different perspectives of what it is like to constantly be evaluated in terms in their sexual orientation, even if it was a fake marriage.
Homosexual lifestyles are hard for people to accept. Religion plays a big role in this, and many people truly believe that it is wrong to be gay, which is where it gets tricky. A man and a woman, that's the principle that many people have grown up knowing. Being that this country is Christian dominated, it is hard for people to change their views without having constant reminders reinforcing them what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'. I learned a quote in my psychology book and it was "Live and let live".
I believe in this quote. But I also believe in being passionate in something you feel strongly about, which is why I'm having a really hard time with this blog. Its a matter of strong beliefs that drives the madness between what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'.
I believe in this quote. But I also believe in being passionate in something you feel strongly about, which is why I'm having a really hard time with this blog. Its a matter of strong beliefs that drives the madness between what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'.
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Switching over to transgenderism.. I wanted to mention David Reimer's case.David Reimer was born a healthy male, but a botched circumcision lead doctors to convince his parents to raise him as girl, alongside his twin brother. It was a case of Nature vs. nuture, where nature eventually won. David Reimer was born Bruce, later Brenda, and then David, faced the problem of "knowing" he was a boy, but was confused by his environment. In his case, being transgender was not a choice, but simply thrown on him. What do you guys think of this? Opportunity for an experiment?
I remember reading about David Reimer in one of my sociology classes, and being shocked at the outcome of this story. It's so interesting (and frightening) to see some of the ethical dilemmas that have been raised in psychological experiments, and this case proved to be highly unethical. With this case, I always wondered what the parents thought was going to happen when he reached puberty...like suddenly their little girl was not going to develop normally, and would grow to appear more and more like a man...why didn't they think that part through?? It's such an unfortunate case, and proves that gender is a combination of nature versus nurture.
ReplyDeleteI remember learning about the David Reimer case in my child psychology class. I believe he lived happily ever after as a man and became married, if I'm not mistaken. But I believe that the individual person, not family, friends, nor doctors, should decide whether or not they want to be male or female. I know that could be impossible at times, especially in this case because he was a baby, but I believe the mother should have let him grow up as a boy and then explain to him later what happened to him. And if he decides he wants to stay a boy afterwards or turn to a girl is up to him.
ReplyDeleteI really like the "live and let live" quote. I believe that transgender people, gay, and lesbian people have been around since man kind started but only lately have people felt comfortable enough to express who they really are and have some kind of hope that their way of life will be accepted. We have moved towards accepting the GLBT community with a few states allowing same sex marriage. Its a struggle that continue for a while but all we can do it educate people about what exactly it is , what to expect, and to not be scared of something different.
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