Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Why can't I have a father like Jeff Ellis? His words were written with passion and strength obviously shown by the love for his family. I understand his plight and know the hideous realm of discrimination faced by his family. I am openly homosexual. I grew up in a home filled with horror.

I was a victim of abuse and hatred from my family and from the community in which I lived. Why? Simply because I was a homosexual. At 13 years of age I looked to the church for my salvation. Just as Jeff Ellis's son prayed for God to take his homosexuality away, so did I. I prayed for eight years.

During that time I was beaten by church members who knew I was gay, I was made to feel less than human, not to be someone worthy of God. So, what have I done?

I've given in to what I know God has meant for me to be, and that is a homosexual. I do not feel any shame, nor do I feel any less than human in anyone's eyes, and that includes the eyes of God. I've grown from the child who was beaten so badly that I swallowed my teeth to that of an adult who finally found some self esteem.

Most heterosexual men and women do not understand life as a gay individual. Perhaps if they knew a gay person or educated themselves on what being gay is actually like, then they may change their opinion.

A gay individual cannot change his sexuality; it is impossible. It is wrong for the church to assume that being gay is a lifestyle. Riding a bike or baking cookies, now that's a lifestyle. However, having sex with someone of the same sex is not a lifestyle, nor is it a choice; it is something you are born with. I can remember having gay thoughts as early as 5 years old.

Right-wingers will slam the Bible in your face and quote scripture claiming that man shall not lay with other men, it is an abomination. How is it an abomination? The entire Bible never uses the words homosexuality and does not mention same-sex couples in it anywhere. The old story of Lot's wife does not say anything about homosexuality.

It is a shame that people in 2002 use this book to shape and destroy lives. Unfortunately it is a book used to attack and condemn what people are most afraid of.

If you honestly don't know anything about homosexuality, wouldn't it be easy to simply educate yourself? If you just don't like homosexuals, so be it, but live and let live. Back to that book again, the Bible says if your kids act up that you should stone them to death. Do you take that scripture literally? Is that practiced in today's world? If not, then Christians should prevent using the Bible as a shield for their actions.

Heterosexual people can hold hands in public; can get married numerous times; can hide their sins under the cloth of the church; can be protected by law; however, gay people can't marry, nor do gays have protection from losing a job or housing in many states. Some states have laws to where gays can be arrested just for being who they are gay. Alabama has a sodomy law and labels homosexuals as criminals if they choose to have sex. Would you actually want a law in your bedroom telling you what you can and cannot do in the privacy of your home?

Gays in the rural South seem to be more subject to violence because of their sexuality; they are ridiculed by "so-called" Christians so bad that they sadly shun religion; and finally gays are portrayed in the Southern mass media as vile and evil people.

I'm neither vile, nor evil. I'm a very loving and caring person who happens to be gay. I have learned to live my life in a way to keep from harm's path; however, I shouldn't have to. I should be as free as any American citizen, free for the pursuit of happiness and equal liberties. In reality, I'm not, but in my heart, I am.

I commend Jeff Ellis for taking an educated stand towards gays. I wish he and his family a joyous life, free from bigotry.

Steven W. Pope

Sharpsburg

Back to Opinion Home Page | Back to the top of the page