Disapproval of homosexuality cannot justify invading the houses, hearts and minds of citizens who choose to live their lives differently. - Harry A. Blackmun
It always comes down to differences, doesn’t it? In a society that thrives on heteronormativity, members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, and queer (Henceforth referred to as GLBTTQ) community are unnecessarily marginalized. From the furtive glance that’s given to a young gay couple holding hands while walking down the street to the hateful comments such as “That’s so gay!” and the accusations of presumed homosexuality that are spread throughout the schoolyard by indoctrinated children at recess, examples of the aforementioned heteronormativity can be seen everywhere. Even though the current state of Canadian society helps members of the GLBTTQ community; young and old alike, come to terms with their sexuality, there are still traces of our old beliefs that give off a bit of a “separate but equal” vibe.
Speaking as a homosexual male struggling through the trials and tribulations of being gay in a rural environment, and also being someone who has went through homosexual life in an urban locale, I can tell you that the culture shock that I experienced was phenomenal. The seemly neverending stream of anti-gay looks and comments that I received after moving to the Ottawa Valley appalled me. With an attitude like this surrounding the town, I can clearly see why many people in the area are unwilling to divulge their sexual or gender orientation with others. This is a powerful message. As Canadians, we pride ourselves in our superior quality of life and are envied the world over. After scratching the surface, however, one can see that not all is fine and dandy in the homes and minds of Canadians. There are still people who are afraid to tell their friends or colleagues about their sexuality, in fear that it might adversely affect their friendship or working environment. Likewise, there are still GLBTTQ teenagers who fear ridicule from their classmates and detrimental relationships with their teachers. There are people trapped in cover-up marriages which end up hurting both parties.
We’ve come a long way as a society. In most of the Western world, GLBTTQ right have come a very long way. Anti-sodomy laws have, for the most part, been abolished. In North America alone, same-sex marriage is allowed all across Canada, and in a few states in the United States. The province of Quebec and many American states have some form of civil union or domestic partnership agreement. One could say that most of the GLBTTQ people in the Western hemisphere have rights that are equal to those of heterosexual people. This is not a question of rights, however. As a society, we’ve made the crucial step from inequality to parity. There is only one step left to make, and it is not a step that can be taken in courtrooms or decided on by political parties. It is a step that must be taken within the hearts of each and every citizen of every country in the world. It is the critical step from equality to acceptance. In Canada, the GLBTTQ community may have obtained civil liberties, and that is enormous. It needs, however, to start a revolution. To show the world that there is more to homosexuality than they think. As Martina Navratilova once said, “Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.” This revolution will not be complete until our society realizes that people are people, no matter who they love.
