Homosexuality is a sensitive topic in the United States, and it refers to the sexual or romantic attraction of an individual to other individuals of the same sex. The sexual or romantic attractions could be man-to-man (gayism) or woman-to-woman (lesbianism). As such, homosexuality is a general term used to refer to the gay or lesbian relationships. According to statistics regarding the issue, two in a hundred men and one in a hundred women in America identify as homosexuals (Laporte, 2018). Regardless of the controversy surrounding the issue, surveys and polls indicate a general trend towards acceptance and tolerance of these cohorts in the society. This pattern is evidenced in the overall moral acceptability of the phenomenon as well as the legalization of same-sex marriage. Moreover, prominent individuals and political figures such as the former president Barack Obama have publically supported same-sex marriage further adding impetus to the controversy surrounding the same. In this paper, however, teen gayism, which is centered on the precepts conferred by Joel Burn’s (a gay proponent) video, will be the topic of discussion. The paper thus seeks to provide an articulated and comprehensive discourse on gayism as it affects the teen population. Moreover, different viewpoints including those from opponents and proponents will be presented to proffer an enlightened perception of the topic.
Summary
According to Robison (2003), sexual discrimination based on orientation could have a wide array of implications for the current generation of teens as opposed to the effects it had on the parents. According to the Gallup Youth Survey, a considerable proportion of gay teens (boys and girls) strongly believe that homosexuals in America are not being accorded the respect they deserve. Further, they are of the view that the homosexuals are more disadvantaged in the society as opposed to heterosexuals. Burns reiterates and emphasizes this point by giving an instance of Asher Brown who was constantly bullied and harassed until he committed is suicide. The worst part is that the concerned individuals in school where the vulnerable populations are found seem not to care or take this issue seriously. According to Burns, Asher’s parents reported the harassment and bullying to the school officials including councilors and principals but they neither took proactive nor reactive action regarding the case. To this end, Asher shot himself in the head with his father’s gun at the age of thirteen years. To make matters worse, Asher’s case was not an isolated one. Similar cases including that of Billy Lucas a fifteen-year-old boy, Justin Aaberg, a fifteen-year-old boy, and Seth Walsh a thirteen-year-old boy have been observed. This evidences the deeply rooted stereotypes and hatred that exist in the tender generation of the society regarding the gay populations. Being gay or even being perceived as gay earns one demeaning names such as ‘faggot’ or ‘queer’ as most opponents of homosexuality would attest. In most cases, name-calling is accompanied with punching, shoving, kicking, intimidation and threats that make life for the teen gays unbearable.
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As Burns (2010) contends, the harassment and bullying are constant with the victims being filled with horrific ideas such hanging themselves or taking their own lives. The continued harassment and intimidation have profound psychological implications whereby the teenager feels like an outcast or a misfit. Ultimately, they resort to permanently eliminating themselves from the community through death. From a more articulate psychological perspective, homosexual characteristics exhibit themselves before adolescence. Despite the fact that most individuals do not undertake overt homosexual play during childhood, the self-conscious psychological state often preeminently exists prior to puberty (Committee on Adolescence, 1983). This concept fundamentally explains why gayism is rampant during teenage years. Another factor explaining the proliferation of adolescent homosexuality is the fact that the young generation believes and think that same-sex relations, as well as marriage, are morally acceptable and legal. This view has been fostered and demonstrated by the litigation processes such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 or public support of gayism by figures such as Joel Burns who encourage teens that things will get better. In essence, individuals such as Joel Burns serve as role models for this group of teenagers. To this end, more teenagers grow confident in coming out as gay knowing that it is okay and acceptable.
Opponents of homosexuality, however, insist that the phenomenon exists because of the upbringing as well as environmental factors. These sentiments have fueled the overall debate pertinent to the relationship between nature and nurture relative to the etiology and prevalence of homosexuality. However, the biological perspective holds that the phenomenon is as a result of hereditary traits acquired from parents (Laporte, 2018). Whichever perspective describes the etiology of the phenomenon best, the fact is that parents have a significant role to play. As Burns posits, a broader conversation involving parents and relevant officials needs to be undertaken. Burns insists that bullying and the constant harassment needs to be stopped. In the spirit of providing solutions to the problem, Burns states that it is utterly unacceptable for adults to be responsible for the teenagers’ feelings of worthlessness. From the legal perspective, it is true that same-sex marriage and relations are permitted. However, acceptability and tolerance in the society are slow. To this end, Burns encourages the teenagers that the attitudes of the society will change and things will finally get better and easier. As a gay individual who went through the same harassment and bullying that Asher, Billy, Justin, and Seth went through, he implores the young gay generation to stay alive and live long enough to create their happy memories as he did. Burns pleads with them to live long enough to see the social change. To the parents and adults, Burns insists that they shall not continue to look aside as the teenage lives are lost one after the other.
Conclusion
Homosexuality and the debate surrounding the same have been on the rise in recent times with the LGBT law coming into play and focus. Ever since 26 th June 2003 ruling that legalized sexual activity between consenting adults and adolescents of the same sex, homosexuality has increasingly become accepted in the American society. The 2015 landmark court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage has further propelled the general and gradual trend of tolerance. Regardless of these facts, acceptance in the society, especially for the young generation, is slow. This is evidenced in schools where constant bullying and harassment directed towards these populations have become rampant. Joel Burns accurately models the widespread stereotypical and discriminatory behavior as a cause for concern for the public. However, the impediments that currently thwart societal acceptance thereby increasing the incessant harassment accrue from the fact that there are currently no federal laws that nationally outlaw discrimination other than the federal executive orders that are limited in scope. The partial federal legislations leave homosexual individuals in some states exposed and unprotected from discrimination in housing or accessing private or public services such as education. It is therefore not surprising to understand why the young generation continually suffers from bullying and harassment that ultimately lead to their death.
References
Burns, J. (2010). Joel Burns tells gay teens "it gets better." Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4
Committee on Adolescence. (1983). Homosexuality and Adolescence. American Academy of Pediatrics, 72 (2), 249-250. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/72/2/249
Laporte, J. (2018). U.S. Homosexuality - Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/1249/homosexuality/
Robison, J. (2018). Teens Rate Respect for Women, Homosexuals. Gallup News. Retrieved from http://news.gallup.com/poll/8425/teens-rate-respect-women-homosexuals.aspx
