Homophobia(c)---Is that what I believe/am?

[ForFuxakes]

Pronunciation: "hO-mo-fO-bE-a"
Function: noun
: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals
- ho·mo·pho·bic /-'fO-bik/ adjective.....

After lurking around DU for the past three years, and recently becoming a paying member, I have always been fascinated by the heated discussions concerning GLBT rights and the associated topics. I have tried to look at all points of view and have come up with some thoughts of my own.

1. I truly believe homosexuality to be inherent, that it is NOT a choice. Because otherwise, somewhere along the lines, I had to make a choice to be straight. But I just don't remember ever making that choice.
2. I wholeheartedly believe in equal rights for ALL regardless of sexual identity.

With that being said, I would like to offer the following personal thoughts...

I found for the longest time the term homophobic being applied to one who does not comprehend the GLBT lifestyle offensive. That is until I actually looked it up and much to my surprise, I find that yep...that is me. You see, I have an AVERSION to the homosexual lifestyle. According to Webster the term Aversion means the following:

Main Entry: aver·sion
Pronunciation: Ah-'ver-shun
Function: noun
1 obsolete : the act of turning away
2 a : a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it <regards drunkenness with aversion> b : a settled dislike : ANTIPATHY <expressed an aversion to parties> c : a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a thing or situation and especially a usually pleasurable one because it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
3 : an object of aversion <inconstancy is my aversion -- Jane Austen>

For me the 2nd meaning applies. Now please keep reading and stay with me. Above I wrote that I believe the GLBT lifestyle to be inherent...just as my aversion is inherent. I do not ask you to change, nor will I deny you any rights (in fact I voted in support of them). So please do not ask me to change. I will listen to and support you in any way I can, but for petes sake, please do not blast me for not liking what you like or for not understanding how you feel. I guess the point that I am trying to get across is live and let live.

I welcome any meaningful conversation and want to re-iterate, I in now way mean ANY offense. Just expressing my thoughts.