It's not hard to understand.

"Gay men are disgusting, how the hell can one put the penis into another dude's butt? Yuck!"

To that remark, It's funny, because its okay for men to have anal sex with woman and its not when men do it with men with the same regards? Hmm. But yeah, thats basically what I usually hear from many people when discussion about Gays was brought up. 

Sherman was also a part of this homophobic social group before he met me as he came from an all boys school, and also to mention a clique of boys who practices LGBT discrimination.

By discrimination I don't mean throwing rocks or ritual chanting or physical abuse. They just simply do not acknowledge them.

Perhaps it was because Sherman and friends were young and has so much to learn about emotions and love. Humans are often afraid of what they do not understand, they are no different. I am sure there are many people in Singapore who are confused and unaccepting about the idea of LGBT. 

When I was younger, I didn't understand LGBT too. It was because there was not much to know about them. In fact, I was hardly aware of their existence since talking about them is sort of an unspoken taboo here. Back then, there was no PINK DOT or any cause to explain to people what kind of people LGBT are, there are no LGBT couples expressing their love in public or social networks because of the judgement they are getting. There was no acceptance in LGBT community.

I was exposed to the community only after one of my close friends decided to tell me his "big secret". 

He's gay.

I imaged myself to be shocked with horror or filled with disgust, but that didn't happen. All I know, is that he looks just like anyone of us, he talks just like anyone of us, he expresses himself just like anyone of us. He gets angry, sad, happy, jealous and envious, just like anyone of us. Nothing's changed, except that he has a preference for his partner, just like everyone else.

Is it wrong to have a preference? I like nerdy guys, should I be labelled as uncool? I like guys with short hair, am I weird? I like skinny guys, am I pathetic? And just like the rest of us with preference, my friend here likes men. So what? How does that concern you anyway? 

Why do people like yourself are so unaccepting of this fact, when their preference is none of your business? Why are they treated so differently when we are all, just humans? Why do you need to cause an uproar and preach that it is a sin to love another person of the same gender. I didn't know there are boundaries in love.

But the main question I want to ask is : What did they do to deserve all these?

All they did was to follow their heart and love, braver than many straight individuals who couldn't even man up and tell the person he/she loves that they are in love with them. Braver than individuals who can't even love their partner wholeheartedly because they are afraid of getting hurt. 

When I told Sherman the story, he was slightly moved but unconvinced. He had an impression that LGBT are a bunch of people who looks funny, acts funny, and is most probably weird to the bone. I can't blame him. He doesn't understand. And the people around him deepens his misunderstanding.

But a turn of event eventually led to a good change of heart. One of our friends, who he was really close to, let Sherman in about his orientation. (No he was not in love with him) 

I asked him if he felt any different.

"No. He's still him, he's still my buddy and I will not treat him any differently. I'm just slightly surprised. I thought he was into girls..." His response was lighthearted, yet sincere. It was when I knew he has finally understood that they are no different than us. That was the moment my dear monster grew up.

That incident really changed him to be understanding to the LGBT community, he no longer pass derogatory remarks, look at LGBT people differently, because he knows and understands that they can be anyone's friend, family member, or loved one. He wouldn't want his close friend to be treated in a weird manner because of his preferences. I am really proud of him.

In my opinion, LGBT couples are brave. Despite knowing of this deadly discrimination, they continue to love. This is one thing that many couples, even straight ones, cannot do. 

Just by the classification of gender, one can impose limits that another orientation can or cannot do? Bullshit.

With the PINK DOT event nearing on 29th June, I wanted to give my support to people who believe in love without barriers. Because love is not hard to understand, right?