Words: 935
In life there are many speculations as to who we want to be; and who we are. There are also perhaps thousands of influences to become something that you’re not for example; society, culture, and fears in acceptance amongst millions of other reasons. In the long run many people as I once did try to imitate something they’re not by lying to themselves, and try to be accepted by being like everyone else or what everyone else expects from them.
Sexuality is something that is commonly accepted as a man and a woman and is believed should never be tampered with and has been since mankind has come into being, but when this is tampered with society and culture take drastic measures to expel it. Culture does not define ourselves, but may define our mannerisms. Culture although is the main reason why people lie about themselves, and strive to be something there not. When homosexuals decided to act upon their feelings, it spells trouble from society, for their culture, and change was feared and not accepted under any circumstances.
Religious fanatics have tried to excommunicate these “sinners” out of the church, society, or cast out their demons that are said to possess them. As a Greek Orthodox, homosexuality is banned from our beliefs and said to be wrong. Those who admitted it, as myself, were said to be possessed, and must do forty kneels a day and pray for countless hours to rid our bodies of this unholy seed we seem to have caught, like a disease. Family values vary, their opinion varies, and their values are different.
Greeks are from a country in Europe, therefore think like most Europeans, and stick together in one community so most of their beliefs are homogenous. My family is all Greek; there has been no change in our nationality since we were born, they were so afraid of diffusion and change. So when homosexuality was introduced to them by me, they were scared and thought of it as a lie and a disease. I was sent to a hypnotherapist and a priest for sins I have committed by loving someone of the same sex, wanting someone of the same sex.
Not only did they not understand it themselves, they were terrified about what others thought, how others would’ve perceived this lie, this disease. They were also afraid to change their image, ‘The Family Portrait’ this image they portray to others, the face they put on in their masquerade of a society. These days it is accepted, as far as it will ever be accepted, it is not spoken about and not asked about. I’m thought of as the child with that unspeakable dreadful disease. My family is being mourned by others for having this child, this embarrassment.
Society varies everywhere you go, as a New Yorker; it is mostly accepted to be different, which really helps, especially while going through cultural and family differences. Although when living in more rural areas differences are thought of as a change in which it terrifies most individuals who grew up with certain beliefs, for example in many societies homosexuality is thought of as an act of the devil, someone possessed by an evil spirit. For example, very recently one was killed for telling someone of the same sex that he was attracted to him, this child was named Lawrence King, who lived in Oxnard, CA.
He was merely a 15 year old high school student who was openly gay and different, and these differences were thought of as an abomination of mankind and mortified the close minded. The male he told was attractive and asked to be his valentine was so disgusted that he decided that the only way would be to kill him. In a class room Lawrence was seated unaware of his fate to come, the young teenager busted threw the door and shot “Larry” in the head, along with 21 other students, killing the young defenseless Lawrence King and his peers. 4-year-old Brandon McInerney will be tried for a hate crime as an adult On October 6, 1988 a young Matthew Shepard was tied to fence post and beaten, he was left in an almost crucified position in the nearly freezing temperatures to die. Matthew was an open homosexual, two were charged with kidnapping and murder, but will this change society? Are these people even thought of as murderers? or religious fanatics? Unfortunately in federal law these acts are not considered hate crimes but motivated by religion so, where does religion draw the line?
Can we change who we are? What if we are something so different that it is hard for everyone even around us to accept that, what if were so different that our lives are on the line possibly every second of the day. From being overweight to having bad skin is a common insecurity but hiding your feelings, yourself because of the fear of homicidal ideas and threats by your peers or so called “friends” is possibly unbearable that many may consider suicide.
So at this point is it possible to change who you are? Or is it possible to be accepted? Works Cited 1. MTV. com: Lawrence King — Student Who Was Murdered For Being Gay — To Be Honored With National Day Of Silence, Ed. Chris Harris, February 21, 2008, April 25, 2008 <http://www. mtv. com/news/articles/1582039/20080221/id_0. jhtml> 2. ABC News: Shooting of Gay Students Sparks Outcry, Ed. Greg Risling, March 28, 2008, April 25, 2008 < http://abcnews. go. com/US/wireStory? id=4544898>