Well, at least I have South Park on my side!

The other day, I made some comments about homosexuality through my personal Facebook profile which drew a bit of criticism from, well, one person, but I can confidently assume there were more less than happy faces behind the scenes. Here is the quote.

"All the hysteria surrounding the 'battle' for same sex marriage is getting me irritated. I'm going to stick my neck out and say I don't agree with same sex marriage, but with the way people are talking I guess that makes me a bit of a cunt, right? Why? What sort of fucked up world are we living in where you have to like everything that's put in front of you? This isn't about acceptance, that's already there. I accept that homosexuality exists and that people want to take it up, but why do I have to like the idea? If people want to be gay, be gay, but I'm sick of all those fuds - who have definately used homosexuality as an insult at least one time - jumping on the bandwagon calling people like me all the bastards just because we don't like the thought of two men/woman getting married. Personally, I think it's manky even without the concept of marriage and if that makes me the bad guy, so be it and fuck you."

Let me start with the confession.

I can see where any sort of hostility and/or anger would come from when I read it over again to myself. It comes across as somewhat confrontational and dismissive of any alternative opinions. Although I knew there would be another side offering their opinions and their part of the debate, the results I received were not the ones I had intended. My comments were labelled 'discriminating' and my intelligence came into question. The main gripe seemed to be the part where I mention people 'taking up' homosexuality, as opposed to it being a thing of nature. I happily accept this as a bad choice of words, but it had little bearing on the point I was trying to make. I partially understand the distaste in me spouting these opinions over Facebook - I could just as easily have kept them to myself - but I still think that there's more substance and interest in that subject than the usual things, like what I'm having for lunch.

Now, to my defence.

It's no secret that I am a sucker for controversy. Rain, hail or snow, I love the feeling of being under someone else's skin. At times, I can take it to the extreme and come across as a bit of a prick. I'm fine with that. Always have been, always will be. In this instance, I picked a 'fight' with a very touchy and emotionally charged group of people in the midst of a battle they have been waging for years. An absolute minefield of a topic at the best of times - though I struggle to understand why - and came out of it looking like someone I'm not.

I consider myself the most honest individual on planet Earth and, when I say 'honest', I don't mean I've never lied about going to class or watching pornographic movies like some sort of saint. I have never been a saint in my life and I don't intend to be. I mean 'honest' in my thoughts and opinions. I will always stay true to myself no matter the consequences and/or who's toes I happen to step on in the process. In today's world, the truth is lying on increasingly thin ice with a sign stuck in it reading 'Tread Carefully' and I feel like there is a disappointing lack of people willing to run the risk and just give their God's honest view on matters. That's all I thought I was doing and I stand by it.

My view on homosexuality has remained since the concept first crossed my mind. I find it a bit disgusting. That line alone would be throwing myself to the wolves, albeit gay wolves, but I wouldn't say it without an explanation. However, my explanation may come across as quite strange. I was like everyone else at one point, I kept any serious opinion on gays to myself, yet actively insulted people using words like 'poof', 'faggot' and 'dike'. When you're young, you don't really think about these words or their meaning in any great detail. As long as it insults people and sounds funny, you use it. At the same time, I knew where I stood when it came to homosexuals, but I didn't know how to explain them. Then I saw this episode of the American animated comedy show, South Park.

For those unaware, too ignorant or too stupid to realise, South Park is more than it appears to be. At first glance, it looks like a foul-mouthed, incoherent, acid trip of a programme full of immature jokes and smut. Pay more attention and you'll find that each episode carries a very honest message on a variety of social and political topics. In this case, the topic was tolerance. The episode centres around the main school teacher, Mr. Garrison, who is openly gay. In an attempt to sue the school for millions, he decides to try and get himself fired by performing acts of a homosexual nature with his partner, Mr. Slave, in class. Several characters are disgusted by his behavior, but they are deemed 'intolerant' and sent to a 'tolerance camp' similar to a wartime concentration camp. 'The Museum of Tolerance' decide to award Mr. Garrison with the 'Courageous Teacher' award for overcoming adversity, but he breaks down and shouts the line that should explain my point all by itself. 'Tolerating something doesn't mean you have to approve of it.'

If that hasn't cleared things up, let me paint a little picture. Let's say I'm living in a semi-detached house and my neighbors are a gay couple. That's fine, I can live with it. I will acknowledge them, be friendly with them and respect them for who they are. However, when the thought enters my mind that they are wholeheartedly in love with each other and are [probably] having sex together, I would be lying to myself and everyone else if I said that it didn't make me feel physically nauseous and slightly worried. I put it to you that, if you don't feel the same way, you're either gay yourself or a fucking zombie.

This does not mean I hate gay people! Some of them can be the nicest people you'll ever meet and some, by the same token, can be the most irritating. I accept that homosexuality exists and I'm happy for them fighting a cause they believe in, but what I feel when the thought of two men/women in love enters my head remains the same. I keep hearing about how you don't choose to be gay, that you are born gay. Well, I can't help my feelings towards homosexuality. I don't care if it makes me a bad guy, discriminating or whatever else you want to throw at me. It's the truth. I won't exactly be popping the champagne or dancing on anyone's grave if they lose their fight, but I can't say I'd be heartbroken either.

There's not much more I can say to explain my stance, I've said it all. If you're still unhappy, then may I suggest you take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself one simple question. 'Am I gay?'

Thank you.