An Appeal to Republicans and Anti-Gay Perspective

I wanted to take the time to help appeal to the commonality of Republicans and hard-right-wing thinkers to thoughtfully consider why it would be tolerable to be in favor of gay people and gay relationships. I wanted to make a list of things that commonly appeal to right-wingers and explain how being in favor of gay relationships is consistent with common right-wing perspectives when thought about further.

On Common Values:

Freedom:

Conservatives, as far as I have been alive, have been more pro-freedom than anti-freedom. This has been a core tenant of Republicans and right-wingers for a long time. You could easily look toward your guns and whether or not you wish to teach your child a particular religion—that you ultimately have the right to have these common liberties, which is no different from a consenting individual being with another consenting individual, no matter the sex or gender.

Family:

Having a stable family is imperative for successful societies. Though, due to some differences in preference, some may be gay.  If they are gay, then it is likely difficult, if not impossible, to maintain a relationship for any meaningful amount of time. Because of this, those who are gay and decide to try to live a normal life will likely find themselves unsatisfied with their significant other, likely causing an increase in divorce. Should these people have had a child, their impact on society would be quite negative, and those who are gay might want to reconsider a gay relationship before wasting time on a straight one, for the sake of the family. Understanding this perspective can help us remove the potential stereotypes that exist between gay families and understand that, should they have a strong family, it is better for them to be together than separated.

Religious Consideration:

 It is true that many religions speak against being gay; that much is true. We should also consider that, while conservatives consider this to be a strong proposition to condemn, perhaps it is better that we reserve our judgment for God to decide. We have no knowledge of the afterlife, nor can we judge others on the basis of their sin, for it is a judgment reserved for God and God alone. Not only is the judgment of sin reserved for God, not man, but God, Yahweh, and Allah have all argued and instructed on the importance of love and compassion for your fellow man.

Observing various Biblical verses:

*Colossians 3:12:* "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

*Exodus 33:19:* "And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

*Isaiah 49:10 (restoration of Israel context):** "They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water."

Observing various Qu'ranic verses:

1. "And speak kindly to people." (2:83)
2. "And let not your hand be chained to your neck nor open it with a complete opening, lest you sit down rebuked, denuded." (17:29)
3. "So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter." (3:159)

Indeed, by observing religious consideration, it is imperative, though, while you disagree with gay people, that you possess compassion for your fellow brothers and give them the same respect as they give you to worship and love your fellow man, just as God has spoken to you.

On Discrimination:

If societies possess anti-gay sentiments, they often cause negative outcomes in society. For one, the repression of gay people indeed causes more negative outcomes than benefits. In a correlation (not causation) of the Human Development Index (https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI), those that score higher are societies that repress individuals. Indeed, breaking apart families and allowing individuals to become burdens of the state (an increasing necessity of an overbearing state) results in worse outcomes. This was, however, understood in the past by John Locke (a classical liberal who was necessary to the inception of the United States) in his Letters Concerning Toleration (found here: https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/econ/ugcm/3ll3/locke/toleration.pdf ).

Advocating for the discrimination of gay people indeed causes additional harassment all the way down to each individual, including children. The idea that the fragile minds of children should endure their bullies for being gay is not only a horrid outcome resulting in many psychological negative impacts throughout life, but an unAmerican principle.

On Common Humanity: A Conservative View

Gay individuals, just as anyone else, seek happiness, love, and fulfillment in their lives. Jesus once told us through the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Jesus could not be more correct or more polite in this argument, and we, just like them, wish to live our lives without bother, harassment, bullying, or ridicule, as you do.