Column:

Love all, no questions asked

By Sami Hall

Published Oct. 27, 2009

There is possibly nothing in the world that makes me more upset than the arrogant dismissal of another human being, except maybe the arrogant dismissal of an entire group of human beings. Calling lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people unnatural, pedophilic and disgusting is downright shameful.

These terms, and many more I cannot bear to repeat, have been used time and again against the LGBTQ community.

LGBTQ people in the United States have reason to celebrate. Last week saw Congress' passage of new hate crime legislation making it illegal to commit physical crimes against people based on their sexual orientation. Finally, the LGBTQ community has the same protection as other minorities.

But because this legislation took more than 11 years to pass, and many Republican congressmen voted against the bill, claiming it would protect pedophiles, this demonstrates just how much work is left.

To judge someone on bedtime activities is about as ridiculous as judging them on how they like their eggs in the morning. Why do so many people think it is not only appropriate, but also necessary, to restrict and restrain two consenting, rational adults whose sexual activities differ from their own?

To say homosexuality is unnatural is probably the most degrading of insults. Even if we could prove homosexuality is unnatural (what does that even mean, by the way?), why would it matter? Americans have adapted to unnatural things since the beginning of time: using wheels, driving cars, wearing contacts and checking e-mail. In the words of my anthropology professor, "The naturalistic fallacy is just that: a fallacy." The idea that something being natural makes it innately more valuable something unnatural simply isn't true. Personally, I do not know what I would do without my completely unnatural and absolutely wonderful iPhone.

There is always the argument gay marriage removes the meaningfulness of heterosexual marriage. If your marriage is so insignificant as to be harmed by gay people getting married, then perhaps you should not be married. Leave marriage to people who marry for love and not for appearance and validation.

The connection of homosexuality to pedophilia is a perfect example of extreme right-wing brainwashing at its best. The majority of pedophiles is heterosexual and commits pedophilic crimes against those of the opposite sex.

The thing that bothers me most is the lack of love for our fellow human beings. I have written about this before in my discussion about health care coverage and I stand by everything I wrote.

Love people. Love them if you do not understand them, especially so. Love them if you fear them. Love them if they are different than you. Love them for what they have to offer. Love them simply because they are people, too, and want the same thing out of life as you do: love.

Choose to love people. It is so much easier to hate. But to choose to love someone demonstrates a humanity and strength so few people possess.

Allow love in all forms — gay, straight, bisexual and others — to flourish. The fact love has to be allowed is ludicrous. It might not be your brand of love and it might never be your cup of tea, but it is love. Love those who love, even if their idea of love is different than yours.