Jose Miguel M.

Santillan TTH 7:40

Homosexual Empowerment

Homosexual prejudice is inevitable in this world. Focally, it is also occurring here in the

Philippines. Though Homosexuals are also human beings, they are treated as inferior. Injustice

may include extreme discrimination, deprived rights, bias judgment and social stigma. This

global phenomenon has created a back clash in society. These acts must come to an end, but how

can the Homosexuals empower themselves? One step can be the contentious topic of

implementing same sex marriage. Same sex marriage would create an avenue for homosexual

empowerment because it denotes a liberal perspective and may remove the deadlocks prior to the

respect of rights.

In retrospect, there was a close at hand consensus among mental health professionals,

human sexuality researchers, theologians and others that homosexuality was a mental disorder

which was visible as chosen, abnormal, deviant, and unnatural sexual behavior. These wrong

notions kept them in very low profile and in a secretive manner – in order to stay alive, and avoid

assaults by gay bashers and extremists. It has required them also to remain in the closet about

their sexual orientation in order to hold onto their job. Stating that Homosexuality is a mental

disorder is a pure fallacy and is balderdash. These notions undermine the capability of expressing

their rights and it also amplifies discrimination.

Proposition 8 in California is the new fad of narrow-mindedness in America. Proposition

8 wants to define marriage as being between a man and a woman ONLY. Proposition 8 must be

discarded. Homosexuals should have the right to be married because the disallowance of it

violates their constitutional rights. The opponents of Homosexual marriage must bear in their
minds what freedom means, and understand the significance of setting a precedent that denies

that freedom. Establishing same sex marriage may be the stepping stone of eradicating

discrimination among Homosexuals. Accomplishing an extremely complicated cause may open

other possibilities of Homosexual rights. As stated in the Declaration of Independence of the

United States of America— “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created

equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these

are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

Gay relationships in Hollywood exist on a different plane of public awareness. Their

vicinity is more captured by the people despite their eccentricity. Lindsay Lohan and Samantha

Ronson are the most recent in the spotlight for homosexual empowerment, not only do they

express their freedom in more exposed depictions but they also amputate the conservative

thinking among people. Hollywood actors and actresses have a whopping influence among

people across the world. Gay Hollywood couples getting married while aired on television in

places where same sex marriage is allowed would be a great tool for removing the conservative

thinking. Conservatism is very detrimental in asserting the rights for same sex marriage.

Conservatism can also be tracked through religion. If only the passing of bills and approving of

laws will be done in a secular way and away from the paradigm of religion, then same sex

marriage can be enjoyed by Homosexuals.

The milieu of Homosexual people revolves around an abyss of social stigma. Norms have

a great role in aggravating social unacceptability. These norms can be refuted by the emergence

of a new norm which is the same sex marriage. Through same sex marriage, the perception of the

society might change due to its legality. When a gay person comes out of the closet and reveals

their sexual orientation to friends and family, many of the latter experience a conflict but through
assimilation they respect the fact. Same sex marriage, if exposed to the public may then change

standards and in the near future Homosexuals would be treated fairly; like what’s happening now

between Blacks and Whites.

Homosexuals are also humans that must be given proper rights and respect. Despite their

diversity among people, they must not be deprived of what they need. They also have their own

liberal establishment and freedom to practice their rights as human beings. Demonstration of

their feelings must not be taken away from them; they are also like Man and Woman, capable of

loving and capable of getting hurt. Marriage is a right and same sex marriage must be a right. In

conclusion, this would end by a speech of the first openly gay man to be elected to public office;

“I ask my gay sisters and brothers to make the commitment to fight. For themselves, for their

freedom, for their country ... We will not win our rights by staying quietly in our closets ... We

are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truths

about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I'm going to talk about it. And I want

you to talk about it. You must come out. Come out to your parents, your relatives.” – Harvey

Milk.