Like most mornings, as I made my commute, I was listening to a local conservative talk show. I really like this particular show because of the host. He has been on the air in Denver for quite some time and I like him for a number of reasons, but one of those happens to be his support for gay rights. If you listen to him for very long, anytime he discusses any issue that concerns sexuality, it’s not long before he is in a discussion with a caller and he happens to ask, “When was your choice day? When did you choose to be straight?” Inevitably, the caller ends up responding with something similar to “Well, I just am” or “I didn’t choose”. Obviously, this is the exact point that the host of the show is making – sexuality isn’t chosen, it just is.
It took me a long time to fully grasp that concept about myself. I never understood why I could be attracted to some men, if I were heterosexual. Of course, I noticed my attractions in my pubescent years. I had been attracted to a few friends growing up and the attractions I had for some men never went away. Granted, I got much better at suppressing those attractions and hiding my sexuality – even to the point that I explained away any “transgressions” I had with the same gender as a direct result of having been sexually violated by a male when I was very young.
Of course, having engaged in sexual activities with members of both male and female, it was already apparent that I was bisexual. But the radio show today had me pondering when it was I noticed or became aware of my attractions. There was never a defining moment of having a conscious thought of choosing to be straight, gay or otherwise. I just noticed that I had distinct physiological reactions to some people, regardless if they were male or female. Those physiological reactions included nervousness in breathing, sweaty hands, a raging erection, inability to refrain from blushing when engaged in any sort of attention from my attractions. It, simply, just occurred, regardless how confusing it was to me.
I know I spent a lot of time – especially in my youth. Trying to force myself into being either gay or straight. On the one hand, society, at that time, was not accepting of homosexuals at all, so it was a much easier solution to be straight. But I knew I wasn’t; I always knew I wasn’t. I certainly knew I was attracted to girls – those physiological reactions mentioned above happened quite a bit. But I had no clue why I found myself looking at some of the guys I went to school with too.
I think about the reality of this in my life, and it makes me still contemplate the age old question about whether or not sexuality is a matter of nature or a matter of nurture. This became more relevant last August when there was a study released, that above all things, essentially stated that there is no genetic markers or codes that show people are born with their particular sexuality. After looking at the website about the study, it left me wondering, again, if I’m “normal” (Of course, I always like the misuse of the word “normal” when it comes to discussing sexuality, anyways). Although, I’m a firm believer in choosing your own actions and behavior, I fully recognize there is no ability to change our feelings – as fickle as they may be.
As you can imagine, it has always felt like a conflict with my catholic upbringing. My parents never shoved religion down my throat, so I don’t have any resentments. Also, I fully recognize the advantage of living in a free country and do as I wish, with respect to religion, but I have always found some peace in my faith. I have found some solace in accepting my sexuality and still believing in God. But it hasn’t always been easy. I have a friend on Twitter that is a lesbian and catholic and she once told me that God makes us who we are and there is an ability to live modestly withing your sexuality. That made a lot of sense to me. It helped me understand that there are individual intricacies about me that do not make me an evil person. That was huge.
But taking all of this into consideration, I still take deep notice of the fact that there is no Choice Day for people. They are straight, they are gay, they are bisexual. They are who they are.
http://geekxgirls.com/article.php?ID=12697&fbclid=IwAR1n7TTC7uw6f_p1UoL0QMurzPGfRZj9Q1WU29EPTBai5SD-FFEML2rYGIo
https://external-preview.redd.it/b2LT4hv6MWW0cFQ9OiVAXcIJPQ-3jroIdY3_FuW3DMk.png?auto=webp&s=8df449cc6680c45699dc465d4cc58ea959107d53
I think there is still way more to learn about how sexuality and gender identity becomes defined by an individual. In the meantime, stop beating yourself up for whatever variables you’ve been dealt and enjoy your life. And if god is screwing with your mind, let that go too. You only have one short life.
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Something like this makes me wish I would have studied genetics and biology…lol
I always appreciate your support. I wasn’t in a bad place yesterday, posting this, I was merely throwing my thoughts on the subject matter out there and offering my own experience. Truthfully, I was embracing an attraction I felt yesterday – as shallow as it might have been.
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Genetics and biology were my favorite subject in high school! I would love to be involved in research in the medical field but my life took a different turn. 🙂
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What a great “ahha” moment.
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I thought so too, my friend! I miss you and I hope you are doing well.
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Isn’t it funny how we can hear things over and over again and not get it. Then hear it from a different source in a different context and all of a sudden a light bulb goes off? That’s the Universe (God’s) time, not ours, at work. Be proud of who you are. I love you because of who you are.
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Your last paragraph makes me the happiest to read. There is always more and we can drive ourselves mad trying to make sense out of everything. I call it self inflicted torture. It’s ok to not always have every answer, perhaps some things don’t require an answer, they are just the way they are. It is society that puts out the norms and with which we struggle later on, thinking that we don’t fit these norms. When in reality we are just ourselves, who we were intended to be, strong, beautiful and unique. The challenge is to quiet those voices that want to tell us something is wrong with us and we are not normal. What’s wrong with loving both sexes, male and female? Do we really need to be categorized and labeled? Or could it be just simple like this, being ok with being a loving person that loves all. I know there is more to it, but who makes it more? Our ego, our thoughts, and society which forces such ideals that don’t fit everyone. 🙏🏼
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❤️🌸
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Here for you princess.
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I appreciate you. Luckily, I’ve been incredibly busy at work today. I will blog something later, but I am feeling a little more positive today and Stephanie is more present than Hilda today. ❤
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I love to hear it, maybe Stephanie is encouraged a little more seeing a post I wrote about that princess a few days back ❤️🙋🏼♀️
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I was told recently that I should “cultivate” Stephanie a little more.
You’ve always supported that aspect of me, but I honestly don’t know how to cultivate her. Ya know?
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Mmmh I would just spend a little more time with her. Take time to listen to her, she will let you know what’s next by the way you feel. Ask yourself what she would like and then try to make it happen. How does a bubble bath sound like. All divas love a good bubble bath. Indulge your senses and kick back to hear her direct you. Put on some candles and soft music. In the worst case scenario if you can’t hear her, at least you did something good for yourself and relaxed. Now go and plan how to make this happen and feel the giggle and excitement rising as you look forward to that time. Much love to you dear princess. 🦋
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I am comforted, as always, by your advice. I think I’ll do just this tonight – a bubble bath, soft music playing and have a candle lit nearby.
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I hope you got the chance to do it princess. Thinking of you. Stay safe. ❤️
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