Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

 I have a cousin who as a child we knew he was gay. He always wanted to play school and things girls like to do. He was such a kind and gentle kid. The kids would always tease him and I would feel very sorry for him and I was afraid to take up for him, for fear that they would not play with me. As a child your instincts are always to belong to a group so, whatever the group wanted so did you. Growing up he started to dress like a girl so, he was always called sissy or fag. But he always held his up high and it seemed not to deter him for choosing to live the way he wanted to live.

 He was very resilient and it seemed not to bother him but, I know it did. However, many so called heterosexuals believe that they are not prejudice, and will say statements like have a gay friend. If that person is your friend why do you have to create a label for them? My cousin stated to me once that the fear he has of being gay is losing friends and families, or even being physically assaulted.

                       

 I can only imagine what a child goes through expressing fears to your parents that you may be homosexual and your parents hide their anxieties by reassuring you that it will go away, and that it is just a phrase. Imagine what it is like to pretend to be someone you’re not, to live a lie, to deceive yourself and your parents. They fear losing friends and families, being socially ostracized, and even physically assaulted. Let’s all help children to respect themselves by showing respect for them regardless of who they are.  

If anyone wants to listen to  to this song go to: youtube and chose, MackleMore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert. This profound song is one that everyone should listen to about sexual orientations of indiviuals. We should all just listen and get some idea of what gay individuals go through in this country.