Sexuality Blog #8

Nature versus Nurture for homosexuality is the constant controversy that never seems to have an answer. Is it caused by genetics or experience? Sexuality is a person’s sexual orientation. Heterosexuality is the norm in society it is what has been seen for years in the world. Because gays and lesbians are different than the stereotypical norm; they are oppressed because their wishes of the life they want to live are not socially acceptable. LGBT community should be treated as equals in society because as Lady Gaga says in her song lyrics, “we are born this way”.

In the past, many people tend to hide their homosexuality because it was not accepted in society whatsoever. There was a well-known riot at the Stonewall Inn, which was a gay bar that sparked the Gay Liberation movement. When I read this in the lecture, it sparked a story my father told me. My grandfather’s brother decided to start and run his own bar but with my grandfather sharing the business. My dad’s uncle took care of the entire business without my grandfather ever-stepping foot into the bar. My dad and his brother decided they should support the business so they took their dates to their father’s bar. When they walked through the doors of the bar all they saw were men. That was how my family found out that my great uncle was gay. He was in the closet his entire life because it was socially unacceptable to be interested in the same sex. My great uncle parallels Bruce Bechdel who was the narrator/ author’s father.  They were both dealing with their sexuality in the 1970s, had a wife and kids at home, and hiding their true identity. My great uncle was luckily able to live his life without being as oppressed as Bruce was; he came out to his family and found a life long partner.

 Both men made things appear to be what they were not. My father told me that his uncle was very weird about his house just like Allison’s father was. He treated their house like a museum which was more his child than his actual children. Allison’s father was all about creating the perfect image for his family but in reality it was an allusion. Homosexuality was completely repressed at this time. Before her father allegedly commits suicide, Bruce’s true identity was revealed to his family. He treated his relationship with men like the flowers in his garden. Allison differed from her father and chose to acknowledge her homosexual feelings in public and take up a partner. To be honest I am not sure if it was a difference in time when bother Allison and her father grew up or their gender but they handled their sexuality very differently from one another.

Comparing the past and the present in the LGBT community, homosexuality is much more accepted but there is still inequality. Only nine states have passed marriage laws for homosexuals. It is taking a slow amount of time. No matter what gender you are it is hard to come out in society and be sexually different than the norm.