I hear that the great majority of Americans are opposed to gay marriage, but I never seem to find out the reasons why. I figure it's because most Americans affiliate themselves with religious denominations which teach that homosexuality, let alone the idea of gay marriage, is a sin. After all, the Bible says man shall not lie down with man, right? Thus, on some doctrinal basis inherited from men, some of whom are unmarried celibate priests, they declare with the confidence of God's word that other men may not enjoy the same benefits of marriage that they do.
Beyond their doctrinal instruction, those who believe homosexuality is wrong and who are opposed to gay marriage also have a rather medieval understanding of the nature of homosexuality. They say it's unnatural and that it's some sort of perversion that is learned or imposed through trauma or some other psychological means.
But what is the basis of a straight man's sexual preference for a woman and her body? Does that ever get considered? Of course such compulsion is natural, but why isn't a gay man's attraction to another man also considered natural? That is to ask, what is the basis of his preference? Would it not also be natural to that individual?
Preference and taste are as variable as height and hair color. And while we may attribute these latter two to genetic determination (and, certainly, to some degree, environment), too many of us fail to appreciate that the former traits are also subject to the same explanation.
For example, why do human beings think that shit smells bad? To a fly, shit smells like heaven. Actually, human beings don't have to "think" about it at all; they are simply repulsed at the very smell, requiring no cognitive rationale for their reaction. You don't have to learn that shit smells, well, like shit. Nor do you have to learn, except by the trial of your error, that you don't place your hand on a hot stove or remain in a place where the noise is so loud that it hurts your ears or eat someting that is so bitter that it makes you want to spit it out. These are not things you have to reason out; you just know not do them because they violate your senses.
Well, a man who desires a woman and the exquisite softness of her skin and the beauty of her face and the warmth of her kiss isn't repulsed by any of that because it wouldn't be natural. And he doesn't need to learn this preference; it is in his nature to desire these things. Thus, why can he not see that a gay man might also desire the affection of another gay man? The lack of repulsion is the same, the desire is the same, and the preference is, to him, altogether natural.
The only difference between two such men is that one of them believes that God and the teachings of his religion hold the other man in contempt as a pervert. When will this end? When will society let go of its prejudice? I believe it is happening all the time. It is happening every time a court or company or legislature accepts the human nature of all their citizens and employees.
No one would seek to be hated for his preferences and for his nature. It is that which one might call unnatural or perverted. Thus, homosexuality cannot be seen as a choice, but as an inherent trait found in maybe a tenth of all men. Would God condemn so many of his children to a life of repression and pain? Would God plant unnatural desire in some of the very gentlest and brightest of his creations? There, too, is a perversion ---of understanding and acceptance.