In contemporary society, homosexuality is a lot more accepted than it used to be, however we are still at a point where not every one is open to the idea of everyone getting their own happiness. We live in a society that is built on the “American Dream”. Unfortunately that dream surrounds and supports society’s view of the “traditional” family unit. Although we have come a long way from the 1950’s iconic family, society is still pushing for that two parent household and having children the traditional way. Homosexuality does not fit that bill. A woman-woman or man-man household is non-traditional and so different from what we as a society have been fed it makes people squirm.
We also live in a society that has morals and rules that come from a 2nd Century book. Religion has a lot to do with how we deal with others and perceive another being. Christianity threatens that if we do not live up to a certain standard, their standard, that we are all condemned! No doubt there is bias within religions today. However, what if we have read the bible all wrong? Jimmy Creech, a former pastor for 30 years and blessing homosexuality in the church, answers a question regarding the condemnation of homosexuality in the bible. “There was no word in Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek for "homosexual" or "homosexuality." These words were invented near the end of the 19th century when psychoanalysts began to discover and understand sexuality as an essential part of the human personality in all of its diversity. Consequently, it cannot be claimed that the Bible says anything at all about it. The writers of the Bible had neither the understanding of it nor the language for it.” It is tough is break down an institution that has its hands in pockets everywhere not to mention a firm grip on the entire world. Even Atheist’s or non religious folks are living in a world that was built on Christianity and their principles. And if you don’t think so, I beg you to look at a calendar or tell me what year it is. In an article for Pew Research Center, Bruce Drake writes statistically about How LGBT Adults See Society and How The Public Sees Them. “When the nearly one-third of Americans who say homosexuality should be discouraged are asked in an open-ended question why they feel this way, by far the most common reason — given by 52% — is that homosexuality conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs.”
I have yet to read a more stunning book that captures the tribulations of a homosexual than that of Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown. The main character Molly Bolt is followed from a young child to an adult. It is when she is in middle school that she discovers she is attracted to other women. But this is no ordinary girl. She is headstrong, sassy, witty, and takes no shit. Molly was adopted by Carrie and Carl Bolt when she was just a baby in the south. Though she finds out when she is a young girl it doesn’t seem to phase her. Through the chronicles of her young life she is called a “queer” and a “dyke” among other things. It seems that a lot of women through her life have fell into temptation of trying a sexual encounter with Molly. She is at different points in the book both angel and whore. I think Molly Bolt has become accustomed to labels and doesn’t care for them. In fact she doesn’t seem to care what many people think about her at all. Due to her homosexuality and same sex relationship with her dorm mate she is thrown out of University of Florida where she earned a full scholarship for her academic achievements. Though, academic achievements don’t seem to suit the University as they are to keep up a conservative look about them. This book gives perception that I, a straight woman, have yet to perceive. Though I am open to any sexual orientation it is still lovely to get a glimpse in the life of someone else and their struggles and triumphs. Molly also gets confused by labels. She is indeed a lesbian but once she moves from Florida to New York City she is faced with a whole new beast. Labels in the homosexual community. “A lot of these chicks divide up into a butch and femme, male-female.” explains her friend Calvin. Molly says “That’s the craziest, dumbass thing I ever heard tell of. What’s the point of being a lesbian if a woman is going to look and act like an imitation man? Hell, if I want a man, I’ll get the real thing”. (p.147)
I believe labels in contemporary society are what causes a lot of issues. Though I understand the difference between gay, straight, and everything in between, grouping them seems to help human beings cope with their day to day lives. I believe the human condition to be a complex one and that human sexuality should be left without labels. By complex I mean we all fall into and out of these categories or labels at some point in our lives. As teenagers become ultra hormonal, they want to experiment with other humans, and it seems the rest of our adult lives we want to experiment with other humans! The issue is that we are all restrained by these “ropes” that are bound around us. Some of us live our entire lives confused as hell just because we don’t want to challenge the status quo. Truth is there are not enough labels to fit us all.
Works Cited
Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle. VT: Daughters Publishing, 1973.
Creech, Jimmy. “What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?” Human Rights Campaign, www.hrc.org/resources/what-does-the-bible-say-about-homosexuality.
Drake, Bruce. “How LGBT adults see society and how the public sees them.” Pew Research Center, 25 June 2013, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/25/how-lgbt-adults-see-society-and-how-the-public-sees-them/.
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