2014 was a landmark year for the gay rights movement with same-sex marriage now legal in 35 states, plus the District of Columbia. Now, 2015 is poised to be an even more pivotal year than the last, as the Supreme Court will decide on same-sex marriage rights across the nation. It would seem that we, as a nation, are heading in a positive direction, but one only has to browse through the comments of a recently posted YouTube video to see that we have a long way to go. 

The Rhodes Bros are twins from Ohio who are currently living in California and have their own YouTube channel. Early this year, they posted a video in which they came out to both their father and the world. Many tears were shed during this emotional and nerve-wracking experience, but their father’s response, ”It’s the way things are, you know? You’re grown people. I just don’t really know what to say — you know I love you both and that’ll never change. You’ve gotta live your lives. You’ve gotta do what you gotta do,” is one of acceptance and understanding.

If you have yet to see this heart-warming, emotionally raw glimpse into the human experience, I’d recommend it. But, while the comments left are often positive, supportive, and generally uplifting, it doesn’t take long before you find comments like “stupid gays,” “What a disease,” and even the utterly repugnant, distasteful and obnoxious, “Sad. I bet your dad wanted to be a grandfather. Too bad you two narcissistic pricks chose to be selfish f—. If you are so comfortable, why come out of the closet and embarrass your father publicly? When you are old gross q—–, I hope you both take your own lives via shooting each other in the head. Hope the 12 million views satisfied your need to be in the limelight. It cost your souls.”

This leads me to the strangely common idea that homosexuality is a “disease” that needs to be cured or a choice that one makes. It seems to me that there is a mindset that people in the LGBT community choose their sexual identity instead of it being bestowed upon them at birth.

Many people, especially those who leave comments on Youtube videos, seem to think that people choose to be gay as a desperate stunt for attention.

You know what, you’re probably right. I’m sure those people in Uganda, where homosexuality is still illegal and can land you in prison for life, come out as gay so that people will pay more attention to them. I bet they love the attention they get when they walk down the street and have to worry about being verbally and/or physically assaulted.

I’m sure they bask in the glory of having their names, addresses, pictures and more published along with a call for their deaths. These atrocious behaviors aren’t limited to third-world countries halfway across the globe. Even in the United States, it’s far too common to hear of a teen or young adult who’s had the courage to express to their family, friends, and/or community who they really are, and, in turn, they are thrown out onto the street. For some, their entire network of support vanishes in an instant. Their friends? Gone. Their family? They won’t acknowledge their existence. In that moment, their life is radically altered by simply stating, “I’m gay.” Still think that being gay is a choice and/or a desperate attempt for attention? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Being different is never easy and staying true to yourself despite what others say can often be harder. The kind of courage and bravery that it takes to be who you truly are in the face of possible rejection and ridicule is something that everyone should applaud, for these kinds of people — the strong-willed, courageous and different — are the people that truly make this world a better place to live.