Why judge me for who I lay with?

I have always had long held beliefs. Things I thought were either right or wrong and there were no grey areas. No nuances, just facts. There is a God. Friends with benefits is never a smart endeavour, and homosexuality is wrong.  I still believe in the first two, but no longer the third. Something shifted in my kaleidoscope when I moved from a country that held hostile views towards homosexuality, to one that was open to this lifestyle. Surrounded by people who were not judgmental or disgusted by this way of life made me question my own reasons for being skeptical. The nature vs nurture argument came into the realm of possibilities and I realized that  my own family did not raise me to be an advocate against homosexuality, because that issue never came to the surface. But the country I lived in, the majority of the people I met and the president who presides over us had concrete ideals that stated that homosexuality was against all that is natural, and it was against religion. It simply was not done and condoning it was the most far-fetched idea. It would be more probable that people would stick forks in their eyes and hold themselves over a fire than even remotely entertain the idea of accepting homosexuality. It is not natural to be born despising a way of life. No one is born with a hateful mind and a prejudiced heart. These are instilled in us according to the environment we live in and how we are nurtured.

 I think about it now and realize that it is culture that steers peoples beliefs and ideals. My mindset was changed because of a change in culture but others still hold theirs to heart even if they are in a place that is accepting of the very thing they find heinous. It hurts my soul to see and hear the violent statements directed towards people who are seen as society's deviants simply because of whom they choose to have in their heart and in their bed. How on earth is that any of your business and why should your comfort or lack thereof be taken into account when one chooses who they wish to be with? It was never about you. The humane thing to do is let people live their lives without fear of judgement, mockery and even death. Blood is shed everyday in meaningless wars and avoidable accidents; and we shed more as a result of a dislike towards a lifestyle deemed unfit? How will I explain to my children that people are being killed because society does not believe they are with the right person? Something needs to change. People need to open up their minds and let go of their prejudice because we are now at a point where it  simply does not make any sense. Statements such as "Being gay is wrong because it just is" no longer hold any weight and simply display ones blatant ignorance and bigotry. Life in itself is a cultural norm because we all live. It is violence that is the "alternative lifestyle" because perpetrating purposeful harm on another human being to bring injury, pain and shame is not normal.

 "The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye; the more light you pour upon it, the more it will contract."-Oliver Wendell Holmes,Sr.