A Different kind of an experience

The assignment I choose was to go to a gay and lesbian club. Coming from a conservative cultural background, growing up I had very little knowledge about the gay and lesbian community. I come from an Indian background. Therefore, someone to identify themselves as gay or lesbian was considered taboo and were not accepted by society. Well does this mean that there were no gays or lesbians? Of course there were.
I was born and raised in New York, within an Indian Family. Like any conservative family came many restrictions. As a child, I was also taught the right and wrongs of our society. There were many times where I disagreed with my parents’ beliefs. Going to school and interacting with such a diverse community was a really mind opening experience. I became more exposed to being around different kind of people.
When I was in middle school, I exposed to the words gay and lesbian. I knew that the words meant to like people from the same sex, but I could not fully understand it. I sometimes wondered if it’s right to like someone of the same sex. I have had friends who were gay or lesbian, and to me they were no different than “normal” couples. In high school, I had a friend named Nadine. She would often tell me her experiences with her partner. I was always confused as to how can two people of the same sex have feelings for each other. I’m straight and I have always been attracted to the opposite sex. As I would talk to Nadine out of curiosity, I would often find myself asking her questions as to how would she have sex with her partner? I wanted to understand the psychological connection and the sexual perspective of such a relationship. But I couldn’t keep asking her because it was a sensitive topic.
I started to learn more with...

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...zing. While entering the club we were a little scared. But we overcame our fear after that amazing experience and being in that atmosphere. During this experience, my sexual attraction did not change. I was and am still attracted to men. When we saw all the gay and lesbian couples we felt a bit uncomfortable. But as we started to interact and just enjoy, we got more relaxed. I have always wondered how a gay or lesbian club would be. But now I can say from my personal experience that it isn’t any different from an ordinary club. However, it is way more welcoming. The moral lesson I learned from this experience is just because you do not understand something does not mean it is wrong. I saw all the couples at the club enjoying just like any ordinary straight couple would. I believe, the only thing that differentiates or defines you is the way you perceive things.