Someone earlier said the same thing, and they said that eventually it led them to become bisexual. I never really thought that was possible, but now I am kind of wondering if that could actually happen. If it happens it happens, I am just wondering if there is anyone that has happened to before?
Similar to me, and I think a couple others. My experience, and stories that I've heard from other people who've come to themselves the same way have lead me to produce a simple Theory of Homosexual Enlightenment.
- Point one: all people are born inherently bisexual. There is no black or white, merely shades of gray. Some people are considerably darker or lighter than others in their early life, and this can lead them to a black or white path later in life.
- Point two: open-minded and non-prejudiced people likely remain bisexual. A rational, considering person who looks at sexuality both emotionally and logically and compares themselves to that scale will, in most cases, see no reason to jump beyond the grayscale. What point is there in limiting who you can love and be with? They'll certainly have preferences, and most all of them will stray beyond the middle point. None will, however, truly wind up with a pure black or white.
- Point three: closed-minded or prejudiced people are likely to stick to an extreme black or white. This can be straight as well as gay; though it usually manifests as bigotry from straight people, that doesn't mean you can't find homosexuals who despise and hate heterosexuals. I've met a number of gay people who are disgusted by straight people and engage in the same hatred that closed-minded people often bear towards those with alternate sexual leanings. This hatred or, in some cases
fear, leads to a strict black or white path. The latter, fear, can also lead to...
- Point four: intentional repression of desire. You can't control what you're into. It's as simple as that. You can, however, repress yourself because of whatever reason. Fear of persecution and fear of divine wrath are the two most common, but certainly not the only ones. 'The closet' is warm, safe, and friendly. Everything outside it is hostile, hateful, and dangerous. Fear is a driving emotion in the human mind, and it's one we pay significant heed to, for very good reason.
- Point five: subtle repression of desire, followed by an 'unlocking' stimulus. This is the category I fell into, where you're filling all the previously mentioned requirements to find an interest in broader or alternative sexual leanings (open mind, insufficiently repressive environment, acceptance of potential alternate sexuality), and yet remain locked into a black or white extreme. Very rarely is someone raised 'gay'. I don't know of any such case. However, EVERYONE is raised straight, whether they are or not. I was, certainly. In the minds of those people, they simply see it as normal to be liking the opposite gender, cause that's all they know. However, this falls apart once they are exposed to appropriate stimulus that causes them to call into question what they know. Exposure to enough positive homosexual influence (catching the gay, as I like to call it, heh heh), or simply knowledge of biology, sociology, and an open mind, can all contribute to a key point.
This key point is what I refer to as sexual enlightenment. It is a point where what you know clashes with a newfound desire. What you've seen or experienced or heard or wondered has unlocked the seal on your sexuality that has been built from the moment you were born. Some experience this early in life, some experience it later. I know two people who came to the same realizations I did, one at eight, one at thirty-seven (the latter being married twice, as well). Environment and how you're raised can certainly affect how you view sexuality; ask any gay person with religious zealot parents.
However, this can be overcome with an accepting and tollerant environment, an open mind, and support. These three traits are common around gay people (and specifically, this thread). Healthy discussion, in and of itself, erodes that seal and, so long as one is open enough to the possibility, they become truly able to know themselves, and through that, their sexuality, whatever it may be.
... your homework tonight is to develop a one-thousand word essay on the subject matter presented. Show your research resources at the bottom of the essay, and I expect to see it on my desk before the end of the week. Class dismissed. *school bell*
This isn't Melee anymore, scrub!
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