Don't We Want To Understand?

Friendship. Companionship. Attraction. Sex. We meet people that catch our eye, and we naturally drift towards each other because of interests, the little jolt of electricity that we feel when we see that smile. The tremor in our chests when we catch a whiff of that scent, the willingness to accommodate differences in opinions because we like the other person. The comfort in having a shoulder to cry on, the support in overcoming our fears. Do we jump in bed together because of that? Or do we continue to get to know each other better? There are some who jump into bed, there are other whose values tell them not to. We accept this as part of being human, as part of building relationships. Most of us go through these experiences that make learn to be good humans, governed by values instilled in us by society, by parents and by religion. Just as a man going out with a woman doesn't necessarily engage in sex, why should we expect differently from same sex relationships? There are those who, brought up with the same values as others, grow up to be good humans, good parents with families, even though in their hearts they feel differently. Some of us go through the same, guided by the same values, but unable to explain or understand the difference in their hearts. The majority condemns this few to be unnatural; to be dirty; to be bad. And these few, confused with their differences, follow different paths, unable to fulfill their potential as a productive member of society, condemned to discrimination and persecution. The truth is that these few never chose to be what they are, and just like the most of us, are governed by the same values. There are people who are born feeling like a man in a woman's body, a woman in a man's body, a woman attracted to another woman or a man, attracted to another man. People fear them, abominate them and persecute them even though they never had a choice in what they are. Events like Seksualiti Merdeka should be encouraged so we understand who they are, that they are normal human beings and we don't fear them with silly ideas like "promoting unnatural acts". The depth of our lack of understanding is evidently clear when we have to ban this event because we are afraid it propagates same sex. We need to understand them so that we do not fear them. So that they know they can speak to you about their feelings without fearing persecution, or punishment. Pretending that they don't exist, or persecuting them is not the answer. Supporting them, understanding them and accepting them is what they need. I do hope that our wise IGP will give the organizers a fair and objective opportunity.