Both Sides of the Fence: Black, Christian, Lesbian – and Proud

There's been a lot of controversy on campus lately over PRIDE and just homosexuality in general. At first it didn't bother me much; disagreement is a part of society and life, and one just deals with it as it comes. Then I decided that it was my turn to throw some gas on the fire and to speak up. It is to both Mr. Kwame Essien and Mr. Jason Crawford that I owe thanks, for they helped me to realize that I am nothing to be ashamed of. At any rate, so far we've heard from both the religious sect and from the African American community. I now come as an element of both. I am an avid Christian, as well as an African American woman. I am also a homosexual.

First off, the idea that homosexuals "tarnish" moral values is absurd. Being heterosexual does not make a person more honorable. Immorality is based on what's in a person's heart, as well as a person's actions. I am a homosexual, but I am also a virgin. How many people on this campus, gay or straight, can say that? I don't believe in sex before marriage, while promiscuity is common among heterosexuals and homosexuals alike. In fact, it is consistent non-monogamous sexual activity that makes a person susceptible to HIV and AIDS, not their sexual preference.

My moral values are based on my religious upbringings and my conscience. I believe in the Holy Trinity. I talk to Jesus on the regular basis. I say grace before every meal. I have a complete and utter respect for my religion, as well as for the beliefs of others. I am by no means a "moral terrorist". As a Christian I was taught to spread the love of God, but love is not what I'm receiving from my fellow "followers" of Christ. If you are to turn your back on homosexuals for their lifestyle, should you not turn your back to heterosexuals as well for theirs? Christ preached unconditional love and acceptance by The Father and urged His followers to do the same, but so far I've only heard that homosexuals are corrupt and unconditionally hell-bound. The display of self-righteousness on this campus is sickening. No man on this earth can die for my sins, so let no man judge me because of them. I do not recognize a god that drives people to hate and destroy their fellow man; my God loves me both despite and because of who I am. I cannot help my attraction. I did not choose to be gay. I DO, however, choose my style of life, and it is a very ethical one. God shall judge me as He sees fit, and He doesn't need your help.

I am an African American. My descendents were taken from Africa and brought to America as slaves. They were called inferior and treated as lesser beings. But these "lesser beings" changed the world with their brilliant minds and inventions. They fought for their equal rights and their civil liberties. They fought for my right to attend an educational institution and to make use of my intelligence. By what right is anyone to say I am not entitled to what they worked to give me, as long as I appreciate where it came from? For an African American heterosexual to say I am not entitled to equal rights because I'm gay is no different than a white heterosexual saying I'm not entitled to equal rights because I'm black. Mr. Kwame Essien posed the question, "What sense would it make if we displayed the pictures of black legends…during Gay Pride Week?" It would make plenty of sense to show black legends (and white legends, and Asian legends) that are homosexual during Pride Week, just as it made sense to display gay African Americans during Black History Month. As both an African American and a homosexual I was very proud to see the display. It had never occurred to me that some of the most prominent and influential African Americans were also homosexual, which means they had twice as much to overcome. But it broke my heart to hear so many against the display, and that the ones who spoke out the most were African Americans. Basically what was spread was that it was "okay" for other cultures to be proud of their accomplished homosexuals, but not for the African American community. Are we to be ashamed of our own people, our people who have done so much for our nation, for any reason? If George Washington Carver were gay, would you not eat peanut butter? If Madame C.J. Walker were a lesbian, would you refuse to have your hair permed? Would you decide that Rosa Parks deserved to be arrested if she were a homosexual? We are ashamed of our own people; therefore we should be ashamed of ourselves.

To Mr. Kwame Essien, here are a few rebuttals to your article. First off, you made the claim that in some African Islamic countries homosexuality could be punished by death. Are these the same countries that practice female circumcision? You also say that in your country it is "an accepted norm for a guy to hold the hands of another guy in public". There is no law here forbidding such action, and if you and your friends are that secure in your relationship then I say go for it. And if you want to wear a pink T-shirt then do that too.

The statement that "Only gays wear pink shirts," is as ludicrous as saying, "Only guys wear pants". Be who you want to be, sir. After all, the societal norm isn't always a positive one. What's more, UNCG is a school that prides itself on having such a diverse student population. It is not meant for everyone here to be the same, or agree on the same issues. One of the mottoes is, "Where students come first." Not just white students, or black students, or heterosexual students, or international students, or adult students. It's for all students, from all walks of life. The fact of the matter is that students' tuition goes to support the school in all its aspects, very much how taxpayers' money goes to all aspects of the government, which includes financial aid. How would you like it if taxpayers decided they didn't want their funds going to support "lazy college students"?

Furthermore, you are not supporting anyone's "lifestyle", but helping to provide unity among different types of people. If this bothers you that much, then simply transfer to a school that fits better to your liking. You don't HAVE to be here. But why not take the time to get to know people who are different from yourself? One never knows what he may learn from others. That is, after all, part of the college experience.