Safe Spaces- Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, Megan S. Kennedy

So this topic concerning LGBT is something that I feel is a rising pressure on society for a number of different reasons. As said in this text, and any other readings, being any of these (Lesbian Gay Bysexual, or Transgender) is not the decision of an individual, it is just a genetic makeup. I feel that the Catholic church has a strangle hold on the ideas and ideals in society in the fact that they believe that a "holy matrimony" should consist of a man and a woman. This is completely wrong in my opinion. I understand after reading this article the importance of fairness in society, and it reminded me of a story that i heard on the news a few years ago. I felt that it related a bit to the bullying, though a more extreme case, and could be linear to the high school boy who killed himself due to his sexual orientation. http://www.matthewshepard.org/our-story

It is sickening to think that someone could do such a thing to another person, and that other kids could make a boy so sick of himself that he could not live with something he could not help. In my life, I cannot say that I have any LGBT friends, however my sister has many. Her best friend is gay, and I have known him since I was small. He is a great person and a good friend, and that is what truly matters in the situation. Honestly, I feel that your sexual orientation should be whatever you in your heart know is for you. One way or another it wouldn't matter to me. Just as long as you make yourself happy.

A story on a funny note however. A few years ago when I was in middle school, my parents decided to take me on a day trip, and we ended up stopping at the India Pointe Park in Providence. My parents knew that it was a hang-around type spot that hosted a significant gay population. They wanted to educate my sister and I about other's preferences no matter what they may be. That was the first time I had ever seen two men kissing before, and it was a culture shock for a young me. I would admit I was surprised. Years later though, I realize that I don't like seeing a man and a women making out in public, as I feel that it is a very personal thing that should not be displayed in public. I feel that there are more publicly appropriate ways of showing affection for anyone, no matter the sexual orientation, and i feel that it is something out of respect for people around you.