Socialization Analysis: Homosexuality

Homosexuality is a trending topic especially with the issue of gay marriage in Utah. As a heterosexual college woman, I have received negative and positive messages about homosexual orientation. Large amounts of adverse criticism concerning the issue began in my town and school. Most supporting messages came later in life, specifically attending college and moving to Salt Lake City. And while there seems to be a shift in societal views towards positive connotations regarding gay and lesbian, some negatives still hold power. Particularly, homosexual relationships and people are bad.

Growing up in the bubbled LDS community of Pleasant View, Utah, most views on gay or lesbian relationships fell into the sinful category. My grade school classmates called each other gay using the term to demean. An elementary friend told me gay people were sent to hell and grossed her out. In sixth grade, this friend and I sat next to each other in class. The teacher was in her mid-forties, unmarried, had short hair, and wore masculine clothes. Our ignorant twelve-year-old minds jumped to the conclusion she was lesbian. I remember my friend and me concocting plans as to how we were going to prove our teacher was lesbian. Once again, we were idiot children. Throughout the year we discussed evidence we had found and its apparent validity. Along with the detective work, we would make comments about my teacher favoring girl class mates because she had crushes on them. For the third time, we were ignorant, idiotic and mean-hearted kids when it came to homosexuality. I stress this so much because we were impressionable. Our peers had given us the idea that being gay or lesbian was bad and without knowing any better, we stuck to it and acted...

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... Being exposed to different resources at school and in Salt Lake inspired my wide eyes. The University’s welcoming recognition and reception sends the message that homosexuals are just people and should be treated with respect.

Currently, I still talk to and hang out with my friend from elementary, but also gay and lesbian people. My friend is still opposed to gay marriage and relationships but more accepting of the homosexual community. I don’t think interacting with either side defines my own opinion. I learn a lot from each. Understanding other’s beliefs and opinions helps me develop my own. I choose to accept what fits together in my head. Marriage is between two people who love one another and have a healthy relationship. It doesn’t matter who the marriage is between as long as it is valued. People are just people regardless of sexual orientation.