I think we are in a time in which we have the capacity to understand each other at a level never before possible. It just makes sense, that as humanity progresses, our understanding of one another and ourselves will along with it. Look at literature and film. The themes often remain the same but interactions become more complex. Just think of the variety of roles that are played in today’s films versus those of the 40s. Back then a man was a man and a woman was a woman. There was a specific understanding of what each one of those things was and what role they were intended to play. Because of these set roles and understandings relationships were limited. They had to fit inside those roles; the amount of variance and complexity simply couldn’t be what it is today.
I realized this while talking to one of my best friends last night. I realized that in previous eras there have been all sorts of things that stand in two peoples’ way of forming strong relationships and bonds. I am capable of forming bonds and relationships today far stronger than people ever have and it’s all because preconceived notions and roles have been opened up.
Issues that were formerly taboo can now be discussed because the taboo has been lifted. I can’t speak for women here, having been a man my entire life, but the idea of what a man is has changed so much, and become so much more open, that it is now possible for two straight men to have far more rewarding friendships than ever before.
A large issue in this is the idea of masculinity and what is considered masculine. A large portion of the anti-homosexual rhetoric through the ages has been based around the idea that a homosexual man is not masculine. Through further acceptance of homosexual men as men, despite their preference for other men, is not only good for their cause, but good for that of heterosexual men like myself. The large portion of the fight for gay acceptance is based around changing the oppressing ideals of what a man is. I thank them for their fight on this front because through their opening of ideas, not only the masculinity of homosexuals is accepted and opened up, but the masculinity of heterosexual men has as well. I may not shoot guns, chomp down steaks and make my woman prepare me sandwiches, but I am still masculine.
In this sense, acceptance of homosexuality is not only good for homosexuals; it also helps heterosexuals simply by making us reconsider the foundation under us. If things that are taboo are lifted, more open discussion, and deeper understanding is possible. If deeper understanding is possible, stronger bonds and relationships can be formed.
Appreciate that you live in a world freer of taboo and social oppression in the U.S. than ever before, and that you are able to be in more rewarding and deep relationships because of this. Also, always go out and continue the trend so that one day our children’s children can have even more rewarding relationships than we were able to have.
Funfact: freer is correct as opposed to more free (thanks Microsoft Word Grammar check)
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