LGBTQ+

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Reading from the Torah, the Old and New Testaments, all of the versus are consistent in that they tell their respective followers to avoid homosexuality and promiscuous sex. For everyone in their respective faiths the message is clear that those outside the faith may have customs that should be avoided. What I do not see is any clear intention of causing harassment, aggravation, or persecution to those outside the faith. They are fated by god to be lost since they follow a different path but they are just left alone in their suffering from the absence of God. 

At this point, three of the ordained matriarchal ministers of my family could start spinning in their graves so hard that if we wired them up with copper and magnets they could power a midsize midwestern city.

Here goes…

Although major changes in laws and social models enveloping the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world are happening, public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains harshly divided by country affluence. (1)

What countries accept homosexuality in their society? Well, that depends on the society. According to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, homosexuality is widely accepted in North America, the European Union, and much of Latin America. The survey also found that acceptance is more common in countries where religion is less important in people's lives. (2) 

United States

In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas that sexual acts between people of the same sex are legal nationwide. However, anti-discrimination laws vary by state. 

Japan

Japan has no laws against homosexual activity and some legal protections for gay individuals. While civil rights laws don't protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, some governments have enacted such laws. 

Australia

In 2017, 61.6% of Australians supported legally recognizing same-sex marriage nationwide, which led to a private member's bill being debated in the federal parliament. 

Taiwan

In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage. 

Some worldwide religious groups such as Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist churches welcome members regardless of their sexual practices. Some provinces allow for the ordination of gay and lesbian clerics, and some churches affirm same-sex unions. Reformed Judaism also incorporates lesbian and gay rabbis and same-sex marriage liturgies. 

So, who cares what they all do? 

They are consenting adults and as long as they don’t bother anyone else they are free to do as they wish. What they cannot and should not do is to interfere with someone who is not interested in their lifestyle. Those who are not into the lifestyle should not judge or harm these people, they are who they are and the hurdles in their lives are their own to be overcome or not as they choose.

Most single heterosexual adults out in the dating scene are anxious about those who portray themselves as someone that they are not. A guy finds he is attracted to a young woman and starts talking with her, finds that they have many experiences and aspirations in common. As the evening progresses she is amenable to letting him drive her home and she asks him in for coffee. As things progress some heavy petting starts, he hears Aerosmith singing "Dude looks like a lady" on the radio, reaches down and suddenly finds that “She” has the same equipment as "He" does and suddenly becomes very confused. She is attracted to Men and only Men. He is only looking for a sis woman because he wants children of his own making. 

Problem…

Perhaps if she had started the initial date with a small comment about being different she would not be wondering now if her life were in danger from this man she just angered. Hopefully he just walks out with out committing violence but you don’t know how high emotions will run or what the outcome might turn out.

Parents of children less than 18 years old have concerns as well. They are tasked with rearing their children by societal pressures ensuring that they have learned all of the knowledge and skills need to make them successful in life. They must find a job, a mate, and rear children if they want them. The parents feel that since the children are very susceptible to even minor influences at certain times in their young lives and that they should have very little to no access to information that might tip their development through external forces in one direction or another. They want the child to develop by internal instinctive paths with no external influences. Should the child show interests outside that path it is up to the child and parents to agree to a change if the child is certain that there is a new way to proceed?  

Since outside influences can make a secondary path seem viable at a very young age, say 6 years old, there must be absolute certainty that the child really wants the second path for if it is not a true desire the consequences could be enormous. This might include putting the child on hormone blockers to inhibit development along the body’s natural gender. This would mean bringing male attributes to a female and female attribute to a male. After a given amount of time you cannot easily change back and the transform is permanent, this can be devastating and life changing or life ending. After all that time and effort to suddenly realize a decision made at 6 years old can't be changed and you are now someone other than whom you want to be. 

Although it maybe more difficult to change from “ A to B” after the age of 18 it might be better to wait. First, The individual is an adult and it is their choice. 

Second, sometimes the small amount of life experience gained in 18 years is enough to guide the individual to their place in life. 

Third and last, tolerance should be preached to all parents so that no one has grounds to even attempt interference with someone else’s child.