It Gets Better

Today, I have truly been inspired. Some people may have seen the commercial sponsored by GoogleChrome about the new website and group of videos sending a positive message to confused young people. There are videos of people in every walk of life letting these young people know that this phase will pass.

http://www.youtube.com/user/googlechrome?v=7skPnJOZYdA&feature=pyv&ad=7478932977&kw=it%20gets%20better

Please take the time to skim through a few videos on the website. Gay, straight, or otherwise, the messages from these people are moving and heartfelt. It is amazing to me to see people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to give strength to the many struggling teenagers today.

So many gay teens are harassed and teased to an extreme.  Recently we heard a story about a young man who committed sucicide simply because he was so severely harrassed by his peers.
This kind of torture can be changed with one simple word: acceptance. Have you ever considered that acceptance could change someone's life? For someone to know they are accepted for who they are, not even necessarily liked or loved, just accepted, their whole vision of life can be altered for the better.

If you feel that you cannot agree with a homosexual lifestyle, at least consider that. Know that your actions could impact a fellow humans life more than you may ever know.

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" Mark 12:31

Holland, Michigan

Although I've taken about a two month hiatus, I hope my followers are still interested in what I have to say. The transition from the school year to summer has been somewhat hectic but I plan to get back into the blogging scene full-force and continue to spread the word about gay rights.

A friend of mine sent me this link the other day since it applies specifically to me, attending school in Holland.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/06/editorial_why_the_holland_city.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+michigan-news+%28Michigan+News%2C+Updates%2C+Photos%2C+Videos+and+Opinions+-+MLive.com%29

Even though it's great that the city is making progress, and I commend them for that, it amazes me that there is so much progress to be made. The fact that sexual orientation and gender identity is not included in the classes protected in the city's human relations and fair housing ordinances and its equal employment policy is astounding to me. We live in a country built on freedom and equal rights. We've fought the battle for woman, handicapped people, people of color, minorities of all types. Now is the time to push forward in the fight for homosexuals looking to be treated with the same respect every American expects to receive.

The portion about religion is very important, especially because Holland is such a religious town. It angers me still that certain religions cannot accept the difference in lifestyle homosexuals lead. However, I supposed this is a case in which governmental issues and issues of the church must be separated.

As for Holland, Michigan, I am proud to attend a school in such a fine city with good morals and welcoming people. The progress being made makes me ecstatic and I am so happy they are following the lead of cities around the country moving to a more open minded and fair way of life.

Kristin Chenoweth

As a performer myself, Kristin Chenoweth has been an idol of mine for several years. Not only is she beautiful and talented, I recently discovered she and I hold some very similar beliefs and morals. This article from Change.org highlights Kristin's struggle in being Christian as well as a promoter of gay rights. I'm aware that I may too face a similar challenge down the road and loved the frankness of this article. I know that I'm not alone now in my beliefs and that there are others out there doing great things to support what I regard.

http://news.change.org/stories/kristin-chenoweth-on-being-christian-and-a-supporter-of-gay-rights

“Is he Gay?”

James, age five, can be found playing with baby dolls and My Little Pony more frequently than G.I. Joes or Hot Wheels cars. His parents know that most little boys would not gravitate toward such toys, but figure it is a stage he will soon grow out of. As the years pass, James’ interest develop more girlish traits as he aspires to take dance lessons and have play dates with only the girls in his class. James’ parents’ friends begin to ask why they have not encouraged their son to try football or soccer. They tell them boys need to have this kind of rough play to become tough and grow up into strong men. Can a child’s parents really determine his masculinity by pushing him to participate in certain activities that society deems “manly?” 

From a very young age, children are conditioned to believe that certain games or toys are only for boys or only for girls. An elementary age boy would most certainly be picked on by his peers if he was found playing “house” with the girls at recess instead of kickball with the boys. Gender identity is clearly recognized by young children as soon as or even before school age. Children first learn to determine themselves as a boy or a girl, soon after recognizing their peers as boys or girls. So what happens when that child decides he or she does not have certain things in common with the same gender? 

The unspoken fear of many parents who have a child like James is, “Is he gay?” Will his interests as a child reflect in his adult lifestyle? Can they change their child’s future before it occurs? 

Studies have shown that yes, the effect of James’ environment could possibly determine his sexual orientation as an adult. His sexuality could be a product of his family interactions as well as social surroundings. Is it possible that if James’ parents had taken away his dolls and replaced them with action figures that his future sexual orientation could be changed? 

A study done by Dr. Cameron at the Family Research Institute of Colorado Springs, Colorado lays out three reasons why homosexual behavior occurs. One reason may be self indulgence and rebellion against society. The second position states that “homosexual behavior is a mental illness, symptomatic of arrested development.” This, many psychoanalysts believe is a product of poor familial relationships as children or some other form of trauma. 

The last viewpoint is that homosexuality is biological. This view says that there is no choice made, that homosexuality occurs as a result of genetics or hormones and no trauma or perverse desire is necessary to cause this type of sexual orientation. Dr. Cameron outlines the notion that the viewpoint most concurrent with his research is that homosexuality is learned. In other words, it is a product of society. 

Trayce Hansen, Ph.D., has the same opinions and results of research as Dr. Cameron. He published an article called, “What Causes Homosexual Desire and Can it be Changed?” that examines societies that advocate homosexual behaviors. This article “finds that societies which endorse homosexual behavior increase the prevalence of homosexuality in those societies.” The studies done on twins in Sweden and Finland help create the most conclusive result because of their genetic similarities. Based on the idea that homosexuality is genetic, both twins should be gay. If one twin is homosexual, the co-twin should be homosexual nearly 100 percent of the time as well. That was not the case in the studies in Sweden and Finland. It was found that when one twin was homosexual the other was homosexual as well about 10 or 11 percent of the time. Studies like these show that homosexuality may not be genetic. 

On the other side of the spectrum, studies have been done to prove that homosexual tendencies start in the brain. Since sexual attraction starts in the brain, many researchers believe this is where homosexual attraction begins as well. Hundreds of studies have been done on the hypothalamus of straight and gay males vs. females. Other studies have been done on the anterior of the brain and the Nuclei of the Anterior Hypothalamus. 

In a study done in 1993, scientists studied families largely consisting of homosexual members. The study proved that most gay members of the family transpired on the maternal side. They then concluded that is a “homosexual gene” passed on from mother to son. 

Researchers also presume that homosexuality may not just be genetic but possibly hormonal. Since gender differentiation occurs in utero, based on hormonal influences, it can be surmised that homosexuality occurs as a result of hormonal differentiation in the womb of those who later display homosexual behaviors. 

So, can we as a society determine the fate of the sexual orientation of our young generations? Or do they hold this trait before they enter our world?

Both sides have valid points, yes, but is it really right to snatch away a child’s inquisitiveness? Whether they chose to be this way, or are born with it, it is their right to explore and discover who they are or the person they may one day be. 

Laurie Essig from The Chornicle writes a similar opinion on the topic which may help display my thoughts: 

http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/danger-code-pink/34268

Maybe James’ parents should hold off on taking away his baby dolls and foster his aspirations in dance. Should James’ parents encourage their child’s curiosity no matter the man he’ll grow up to become? Or should they snatch away their sons favorite toys as to hinder his true identity? 

Drag Queens and No Judgement

I'm going to refrain from the normally heavy and debated topics I normally stick to and talk about a fun and eye-openeing experience I had a week ago. 

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to suffer the hour and a half wait in line to see the annual MSU Drag Queen Show (At Michigan State University). The idea of a drag queen to me was always pretty undefined. I never really thought about what it would be like to see a man dressed as a woman dancing and performing on stage. The concept was actually humorous to me. 

Walking into a show like this is something I think everyone should experience. It's the only way you can truly grasp the essence of this type of entertainment.  My friends and I were thrilled and shocked all at the same time. 

What struck me most was the confidence of the performers. Who can really say they'd have the guts to get up on stage and strut their stuff, if you will, in front of a huge crowd? Not to mention as the opposite gender. 

Heels and all, queen after queen danced to her song like no one was watching and accepted dollar bills left and right. 

Other than confidence, these drag queens had something else I wish I could constantly possess: an entire lack of judgement. It is obvious that they accept whomever they are around. Not only were the drag queens that way, but the audience members too. Everyone wearing whatever they wanted, dancing, jumping around, singing, and displaying affection in anyway they pleased. I can honestly say that was the one place I've ever been where I felt completely at ease and fully accepted.

Now, that is something to think about when judging the LGBT community. 

Dance 37

Lately, it seems like all corners of my life have been tying into one another, all leading to this blog. I won't explain each in detail but just vaguely. 

I presented a project in my Communications class in which I interviewed a friend of mine who is homosexual. It was called Perspective Taking Project. I talked to my friend about how he feels he is silenced based on his sexual orientation. The project gave me a chance to bring up the subject in my class and people seemed to respond well. 

Also in my Comm. class, we watched a video on a study of the psyche of little boys and the pressures society puts on them in comparison to genetics. 

It's amazing how much society influences young boys. They must be strong, emotionless, physical, and insensitive. It seems to me if they're otherwise, they'll be labeled as "gay" even from a young age. 

It blows my mind that children are taught at a young age that, even if a boy is to act more feminine or be gay, he should be looked down upon. It's like teaching impressionable young kids to be judgmental before they even know what the word means. 

This brings me to my last point. Tonight, I had the pleasure of watching Dance 37, a dance production put on by faculty and students here at Hope. The performance was moving and filled with talent. However, one particular dance piece stood out immensely. 

This piece dealt with the hate crime that took place on campus last year. The dance started out with one word spray painted across a building. 

GAY. 

I'm sure several members of the audience were stunned. I won't drone on about each detail of the dance and I won't put words in the choreographer's mouth but I will give you my take on it. 

At first, I didn't like it. I didn't understand the movement. Then there was this overwhelming portrayal of unacceptance. People walking by, not acknowledging the one girl staring at the word, in clear anguish. Suddenly, the dismissal was replaced by an array of confusion and dishevelment. Paralleling the feelings, I imagine of a homosexual person finding their way in a society sprinkled with judgement. The music got angrier and louder as the girls ran around in chaos with angry faces, pointing, accusing. The end was taken over by a feeling of vulnerability. I was hit with the feelings of a person struggling between coming out and the judgment of others. 

I can only assume this dance could equate to those emotions.

Hope College's Human Sexuality Policy

On Monday night, a discussion was held at Haworth Hotel on Hope's campus. The discussion was open to faculty, staff and students and said to be a panel style discussion of the college's recently updated Position Statement on Human Sexuality.

I didn't catch all the names of the members of the panel but each was lent a hand in updating the policy.

The policy was updated based on a series of petitions created by the organizations Hope is Ready and Holland is Ready (I'm sure they would love it if you visited their blogs or facebook pages to learn more about what they stand for). This uprising of sorts caused the board to consider reviewing the old policy that was established in 1995.

The discussion was set up as follows: The panel was asked three formal questions and each given three minutes to answer. As this was happening, audience members had the opportunity to submit their personal questions to be possibly answered at the end of the formal question portion.

I won't discuss every panel member's answer (I could not possibly take notes that fast), yet talk about the points that stood out to me.

The panel was first asked what they supported and what made them uncomfortable about the policy. Basically their uncensored opinions of it. Dr. James Harrick had a lengthy, yet informative speech prepared for this question. Because of it's length, I got somewhat lost in his words but he did say one thing that stuck with me: "What one sentence gives, another takes away and I am uncomfortable with that." -- Harrick

With the same question, Dr. David Myers, a huge supporter of gay rights here at Hope and wonderful author of books on the topic, gave his general opinion creating a great analogy, "It feels a little bit like a forced smile." What I found most interesting about Myers' answer to this question was that he said little to nothing about what he supported about the policy, and spent most of his three minutes eloquently stating the parts of it which made him "uncomfortable." Within his answer, Myers read an email he had received from someone in the Holland community. I loved what this person had to say.

He or she explained that for LGBT people, sexuality has become their identity. For straight people it is just something they "do." I couldn't agree more, anonymous emailer. This is something that had never been pointed out to me before and really hit me hard. That is a great notion to ponder. Has society labeled homosexuals as purely sexual creatures? Sexuality is just a part of their life, as it is with straight people, it is not their whole life. This person also criticized the policy saying it states we respect them but do not support their love; essentially delegitimizing their love, then turning around and saying we respect it, nonetheless. Something about that seems wrong to me too.

Another point that struck me, again, brought up again by Myers:

NEUTRALITY.

Now there's a word for the people behind our policy to consider. Hope College has a Neutrality Mandate in it's handbook. Am I wrong in saying neutrality means not taking one side or the other? This policy forces us to take sides, dividing the college at a time when we should be moving forward and coming together to create bright future.

The last point I will make which I opened my eyes to after attending the discussion is based on our number of students at Hope. Our incoming classes are shrinking. It has been said that the college could very possibly be losing students over its statements about sexuality. Dr. Myers said, support for gay rights is growing in this country, hence creating a huge generational gap.

Culture is changing... So must we.