I feel incredibly grateful to live in an age and a country where people can identify (or choose not to identify) their sexuality and not be judged or shamed for their sexual orientation. Unfortunately, there will always be ignorant people who attempt to spread their hatred and fears to others. These closed-minded individuals usually lack the intelligence, common sense, and empathy toward those who choose to live a different life and follow a separate path from their own.
When it comes to someone’s sexuality and how they choose to identify themselves, it quite honestly is none of my business. I could care less as to what goes on in the bedroom, bathroom stall, kitchen, back seat of the car, etc between two (or three or four) consensual adults. Whether someone is in a closed relationship or an open relationship is completely irrelevant to me. And even though it’s not my place to pass judgment or offer an opinion, I do want to take today – Valentine’s Day, to show my support and celebrate Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
Valentine’s Day – A Day for EVERYONE
I’ll be honest. I’ve always viewed Valentine’s Day as a Hallmark Holiday promoted by retailers and restaurants to help drive up sales during the “slow time of the year”. This of course is a few weeks after Christmas – when most people are broke and don’t spend money, and before Summer – when most people go on vacation and spend lots of money. With that being said, I’ve always played my role as the good generic boyfriend in the past, by sending a bouquet of 12 Stem Roses to the person whom I’m currently seeing.
Being that today is technically the day in which we are all supposed to celebrate “Love”, and given the fact that I choose to keep my relationship status private from the public eye, I thought I could use this opportunity to show my love and support for those people who loathe Valentines Day because they are afraid of not being accepted for who they truly are, and who they may or may not love.
Why Does Sexuality Matter?
A person’s sexuality determines whom they feel romantic or sexual attraction toward. Some people may feel that labelling their sexuality helps them deal with any potential oppression or difficulties they may face. Identifying one’s sexuality can also help a person find a community with which they can share their own experiences. By learning the terminology, we can all understand one another’s sexuality better while becoming more informed about this often confusing topic.
As I mentioned earlier, people do not necessarily need to identify as one type of sexual orientation. I believe that people’s sexual orientation can change over time. They may also sit under an umbrella term but not find a label that accurately describes their experience. Therefore I think it’s important to remember that no one is under any obligation to disclose their gender identity or sexual orientation if they do not wish to do so.
Closing Thoughts
I truly believe that sexuality can exist on a large spectrum, and people do not have to feel sexual and romantic attraction at the same time or toward the same gender. Regardless of how you choose or do not choose to identify your sexuality and sexual orientation, I want to wish you a Happy Valentines Day and let you know that I support who you are, and who you choose to love 100%.
“We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”
George Takei
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance