Lesbians answer questions you're probably too afraid to ask
Same-sex couples and partners are as ordinary as their heterosexual counterparts. And yet, because of their sexual orientation, lesbians and gays are considered unequal by certain sections of the society. They are often misunderstood because of ignorance about homosexuality, which is considered a taboo topic to this day in many parts of the world.
Lesbians, especially, get the short shrift because the fact that a woman expressing physical love or interest for another woman seems beyond belief to many. Any healthy curiosity to know more about homosexuality in general and lesbians in particular is shot down or suppressed.
So here is an introduction - a peek into the everyday lives of women who have come out as lesbians. They are answering questions that cross many a mind, but are never spelt out.
Educate yourself about lesbians. Know homosexuality is as normal as sunshine.
One of the central tenets, if it can be called that, of anti-LGBT bullying is the difference in behaviour that marks them out. Gay male or transteens who are effeminate are especially susceptible to harassment. (This is not nearly true for gay female youngsters if they are butch, since being a man, as we all know, is so much better than being feminine.)
Supporters of the LGBT cause are at pains to explain to the haters how people are people and that they should not be categorised on the lines of gender or sexuality. But such is our deep-rooted understanding of gender roles that crossing this bridge begins with a distinct disadvantage: a lack of empathy.
How does one grow empathy? What can one do to make our children learn that what they consider as different is as deserving of respect and acceptance? Are there certain barometres that we need to tick before we can reach halfway and then call upon the other side to meet us there?
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