Pride month
The following dialogue is an excerpt from the book “How to always be right in a world gone wrong” by James O’ Brien:
James: So when did you choose to be straight?
Caller: What?
James: When did you choose to be straight?
Caller: I didn’t choose to be straight. I was born straight.
James: But you literally just said that sexuality was a lifestyle choice. You said that gay people shouldn’t be afforded full equality because they choose to be gay. You clearly think sexuality is a matter of choosing whom you fancy, so I’m wondering when you realised that you could go either way. When did you realise that you pretty much felt as excited about the prospect of sex with a man as you did about the prospect of sex with a woman and were going to have to choose which way to swing?
Caller: That’s ridiculous. I have never felt excited about the prospect of sex with a man.
James: I agree that it sounds ridiculous but I’m just repeating your own logic back to you. Let’s try again. How old are you?
Caller: Thirty-four.
James: And you think you are straight.
Caller: I know I am straight
James: OK. Here’s a theoretical 34-year old gay man. Let’s call him Bob. Bob knows he’s gay. He’s known since he was sexually conscious. He’s never not been gay. But you are sure he’s wrong and that he made a choice to be this way. He wants to know where you got that idea from, if not from your own experiences. Where would you get the idea that sexuality is something we choose, unless you have somehow tried to convince yourself that you can somehow choose to be straight despite perhaps, having gay feelings?
Caller: I don’t have gay feelings.
James: Bob does not have straight feelings. But the odd thing here is that he doesn’t think that straight people chose to be straight any more than he chose to be gay. He’s absolutely certain that all genuinely straight people have absolutely no choice about who or what they are sexually attracted to. He really wants to know where you got the idea that people can choose. And so do I, by the way.
Caller: It’s against nature.
James: Not their nature. Anyway, flying thousands of feet in the air in a giant tin can is against nature, but you don’t get your knickers in a twist about that. We just want to know, Bob and I, where you got the idea that you can choose your sexuality if it wasn’t in some way from yourself. Did a gay person tell you that they had chosen to be gay but could easily have gone straight if the clubs and fashion had been better?
Caller: No.
James: So when did you choose to be straight?
Caller: I didn’t choose to be straight.
James: Great. Nor did I. And Bob didn’t choose to be gay. Do you get it now?
As of 2020 only 28 countries recognize same-sex marriage. 16 out of the 28 countries are situated in Europe. A further thirteen European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of more limited recognition for same-sex couples.
In opposition, at least 70 countries have national laws criminalising same-sex relations between consenting adults.
In addition, 7 countries enforce the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults of the same sex.
The LGTB+ community is a global social movement that focuses on equal human rights.
The last time I attended the Pride parade was in 2019 in London. (This year was cancelled due to Covid-19). Pride Month is June, and many pride events occur this month, to commemorate the Stonewall riots (28/06/69), and it’s really hard to miss all the pride-coloured flags that decorate almost all the shops and High Streets during the parade month.
I was impressed by how many famous brands embrace the parade. And I know that to many this might seem a bit yucky, because sure this translates to monetarisation (Pride in London receives around £650,000 from corporate partners that also go to LGBT charities).
but I also see this:
I see companies that actually do support the community and work alongside LGBT+ people.
When I see Barclays, NHS, Amazon, Tesco and so many other businesses supporting the parade, I see businesses that respect equal Rights.
I see companies that even if it’s not their priority goal, they still raise awareness and they influence a positive change.
And that’s all that matters.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”.
(Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Until next time ❣️
