We have come a long way from defeating the phobias that are most common in today’s society – sexuality phobias, i.e. homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. When I say a long way, it is with respect to the societies dating back decades (and centuries). You may agree that we have not yet reached a point of complete acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Regardless, I am not writing this post to promote equality of different sexualities, although I am an advocate of equality for all beings. I am writing to give you my opinion on why it might be difficult for some to accept the existence of these different people.
The truth is we do not like change; be it a change in residence, change in diet, or a change in culture. We like the things as they are. Of course trying new things is exciting, and I find everyone has an adventure bug in them to some extent. But we like to stick to our stable, unchanging cores: our fundamental being. We may step out to test the waters once in a while, but we stay strongly anchored to our cores.
“So how is this ‘core’ stuff even related to the topic at hand?” you may ask.
It may be more complicated than this, but I believe that most people who resent these unorthodox (hopefully not for too long) sexualities do not like change. They have cores deeply anchored that treading in foreign waters is too far-fetched of an idea. Literally put, people ‘no likey’ something that is too different from their cores. It is not necessarily only the older generations that show discomfort (and hate) towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. It could be your best friend of same age, or younger sister. It could be anyone with a strong core that is non-accepting of any kind of change.
So what is the solution (if there is even one)? More exposure!
For example, if you are adamant about staying away from the water but see a lot of people enjoying, you might change your mind and go for a swim. This could be for several reasons: 1) you are certain the water is safe; 2) you are simply following the crowd; 3) you are tired of being held back; 4) who cares anymore!
Likewise, if a lot of people are accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, maybe the resolute ones would give in and also be accepting. Eventually, everyone would think of these different people as ordinary folks. Eventually, these different values and ways of life will be integrated into the cores of unchanging people.
But how do we get people to be accepting in the first place? I believe that the more exposure people get, the more they realize that members of the LGBTQ+ community are no different from the rest. That they are simply human with both good and bad — seeking freedom to think, feel, speak and act as everyone else without being criticized for who they love.
We need to be hopeful that things will only get better from here. I bet no woman in the 1800s imagined a life as we have it today, with more freedom and independence than ever. Touching up on my first point, we have come a long way. True, we have a longer way to go, but I am hopeful we will get there someday! Just keep an open mind
Accept everything with a grain of salt, even this post 🙂
Minks of thoughts 