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Tami's BlogBreaking a Taboo - thinking about the Gay community
By: Tami Lancut Leibovitz
The world in which live today is globally oriented, diverse and multi-faceted with a spectrum of colors and a wide range of unique types and trends so that categorizing people by their sexual lifestyle is irrelevant. The modern approach advocates acceptance of homosexuality as natural, and homosexuals and lesbians as equals, and rejects old-fashioned slogans based on stereotypes, which unfairly dishonor an entire community.
Part of our development as human beings, depends on our poor ability to shift from "linear thinking" – which separates,
categorizes, analyzes and judges all details -- to "holistic thinking". Thinking as a whole teaches us to have new insights, and
leaves little room for "criticizing and judging".During the last decade, homosexuality became a leading topic in social discourse
in the Western world and today's trend is clearly toward a liberal and open-minded attitude.
Expressions of homosexuality as sexual deviation are not only in poor taste, but could leave a permanent and negative
impression of the person expressing himself or herself in such an improper way. Today, homosexuals and lesbians are
business people, and hold executive positions in international businesses. The process of recognition resembles the entry
of women into the labor market, in spite of the objections, difficulties and adaptation women encountered and until they
were fully accepted as players in the business world. Most business events or parties outside working hours to
which employees are invited with their spouses should take into account the organization and collegial attitudes.
It is quite natural to attend the event with your spouse, and to be treated no differently from spouses of
the same gender.
However, a broad percentage of people outside the business world still have trouble in accepting homosexuality as natural.
You can always ask the host or event organizer if the presence of a homosexual couple could embarrass a VIP or
an important group of persons at the event. In this case, both parties could be embarrassed and you might feel
uncomfortable if you decided to come with your partner anyway.
Homosexual partners are expected to adopt a respectable attitude, avoid physical contact and embarrassing remarks
and glances, and keep their romantic behavior to social events and out of professional events.
If you host a homosexual couple, adopt the same attitude toward them as if you were hosting any other "normal" couple.
There is no reason to adopt a different attitude towards a homosexual couple by paying them more attention than to
any other guest.
Breaking a Taboo - thinking about the Gay community
The prefix "homo" has two sources: the first is from the Greek "homos" meaning "same" in contrast with the Greek
"hetero" meaning "other".From here, we derive two words: "homosexual" and "heterosexual". The second source of the
prefix "homos" is from the Latin meaning "man" or "human".
The homosexual identity is a long and difficult complex process of completing and assimilating factors such as self-acceptance
of a sexual exception, revealing it to family, friends, and workmates, and then facing society. Because this identity was hidden
for a long time, the process of self-acceptance is made more complicated and also requires recognition as being part of the
Gay community.
For certain persons, the notion of belonging to the Gay community is perceived as more threatening that just self-acceptance
of a different sexuality. Apparently, there is no necessary connection between self-acceptance and unveiling
one's homosexuality, and belonging to the Gay community.
But saying "I'm not belonging to…" can cost a lot.
Most homosexuals and lesbians, who have feared and hidden their sexuality, are actually persons who grew up in a society
to which they felt they never belonged. The Gay community turns out to be a place where they find the strength to
overcome their fears, social acceptance and support.
The Gay community is a social and political movement as well as a social network offering continuous professional
opportunities.
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