Two Cents Final Essay

English Comp I
Davis
Jason L Wallis

Support of the LGBT

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. These words alone are enough to stir
even the smallest of issues to a boiling point. Why is there so much controversy
over such a trivial matter. The reasons stem from simple things like fear and
religious bias to much larger things such as culture and ethics. It is little wonder
why the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) society has faced persecution
and discrimination everywhere. In this essay I will be giving my personal opinion on
the topic, not to sway you, but to broaden your perspective.
John 13:34 of the Holy Bible states: So now I am giving you a new
commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each
other. This alone sparks a debate amongst even the oldest of scholars. If you read
the next verse the passage becomes a little clearer. This is what John 13:35 states:
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. As
human beings we tend to forget these little nuances of life, even if you arent a
Christian. Being nice and considerate of others is and should be just basic human
nature. A few years back when Pope Francis replaced Pope Benedict XVI he went on
record to say this: If someone is gay and has good will, who am I to judge? (Hale)
This statement alone contradicted years of religious discrimination. It is my opinion
he is correct; we are not judges. Yes, I am a Christian, but I am also bisexual. I
have no confusion about my orientation, nor any confusion over what the Bible says
about it. I fully believe and feel that God accepts this with an open heart. Why?

Simple; he is love. This one truth is why I am fully supportive of the civil rights and
religious freedom of others that are confined within the LGBT minority.
In recent years however the church, especially the Catholic Church, has
begun to become more open on these issues. Where they once saw gay marriage
as a threat to world peace; they now are more approving than most on civil unions.
While they still prefer marriage between man and woman, the current Pope feels
that they could go on a case by case basis. (Hale) As this continues, there are
churches out there who still openly denounce, slander, and oppress the LGBT
minority. Ostracizing anyone who would stand for this group and their lifestyle.
This radical behavior causes peoples views to shift. Persuaded by such things as
rumors and lies spread by the media and these religious orders generates a mistrust
between all parties involved. The Catholic Church has initiated measures to
counteract the damages being done by doing such things as giving a VIP treatment
to pro-LGBT Catholic group visiting the Vatican, and meeting with openly gay
activists. (Hale) These measures alone are but small victories in an even larger and
older battle. Even still, they are victories none the less. Still there are always
bigger victories to be had, and they will come in time.
Many people refuse to even attempt to understand what it means to be LGBT
in todays society. It isnt simply just trying to live happily; its trying to survive. Are
we not entitled to love who we truly are as well as love who we truly want? My
belief says yes to this. Not only are we human, we are your brothers, sisters, sons,
and daughters. We are all part of something greater; Earth. Too often in the past
have we, as a race, let our differences divide us. As a Christian I scream Love one
another, but as a person I hide my other orientation out of fear. I shouldnt have to
do this, but as I write this Im pursuing a degree in ministry. My own simple fears

control how I act, and how I feel I am perceived by others. It is still another function
of basic human nature. Until we learn to accept each other for who we are fear will
continue to conquer and divide us. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgendered
people are just that, people. We live from day to day just like you and all of our
neighbors. Our only difference is in who we chose to keep relations with. Knowing
this with a clear mind, could you find love for your fellow man or woman? I choose
to believe in the human race, not because I am Christian, but because we have the
capacity for endless love.
In perspective and hindsight, we must remember a simple truth; love is blind.
Keeping with the tenants and doctrines of our religions we oft forget this. As the
world continues to move ever forward humanity as a whole continues to adapt as
weve always done. Our opinions may differ, or they might agree. Whatsoever the
case may be, we must remember that we are human. As humans, we falter, we get
misguided, we fight. Most of all as humans we love.

Works Cited
Hale, Christopher J. http://time.com/3975630/pope-francis-lgbt-issues/. 15 June
2015. Article. May 2016.