First of all, here are a few interesting research excerpts from Psychology Today & the Harvard Kennedy School's LGBTQ Policy Journal:
"These authors point to a biological basis for sexuality rooted not necessarily in genetics but rather in brain functionality, as programmed by responses to maternal hormones during early development."
"Attraction is not only unconscious but also largely physical. There is actually something called “erotic imprint” which is the unconscious part that guides our attraction. Our erotic imprint is literally “imprinted” in our psyches when we are young—at the age when we begin to notice and be attracted to the opposite sex. As I mentioned, this is largely an unconscious drive."
I also understand that gender identity, sexuality, attraction, & the emotion of love are all different. ...but still overlap in their "application" in life.
So, I think about my personal experiences with feelings & emotions. And, since we're all human, I'm guessing many of you also operate similarly...
We experience sadness, anger, happiness, fear, etc. just like we experience emotional love & desire. It is our psychological & biological reaction to a situation, person, place, or thing. Of course, our behavior in how we expose those feelings can be learned & controlled to a certain extent [mental illnesses could be an exception]. And, I can hear those who oppose homosexuality saying that it IS a behavior, therefore a choice...
That's where I think of past relationships... The psychological emotion of love & feeling of attraction...just happens. I'd have been saved a lot of grief if I could actually turn on or turn off those feelings that were not reciprocated and/or in a relationship that had to end for other reasons.
We are biological beings & to expect any being to not want to act on what naturally occurs within their mind & heart is like telling me not to cry when I'm sad... And, I'm sure we've all seen what happens when a person buries his or her feelings of sadness, anger, or depression for too long.
Below is a compilation of still shots I took from a very insightful & brilliant sermon given by Matthew Vines, which I recommend you watch on Upworthy here.
On a somewhat unrelated point regarding nurture vs. nature, why would a person choose to be something that will unfortunately bring them discrimination or hatred by others? There are individuals who sadly choose to commit suicide because they fear that life & that makes me hurt. [Check out The Trevor Project].
I will continue to encourage friends, family, colleagues, students, neighbors, children, & hell, even animals, to truly & unapologetically LIVE who they really are & know that like any emotion or feeling, it is okay to openly express it. Let's be decent, compassionate human beings & nurture our nature!
That was beautifully written and perfectly stated. Think of how much of a happier place if everyone could stop judging or categorizing people based on just their personal beliefs or incorrect knowledge. Its the same as viewing the world from a cynical standpoint, rather than being skeptical, the later of which is based on previous experiences and knowledge. Thanks for sharing again, you have a great way with words!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
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