Homosexuality in the Bahá'í Faith is forbidden because it's supposed to be unnatural. But if it's unnatural why does it exist? Gay people exist because they were created so and are therefore a product of nature. We didn't exactly choose to be gay - we had no choice in the matter -and if it truly were a disability then why don't we see ourselves as being disadvantaged somehow by our sexuality? In fact the only thing that disadvantages us really is the straight society we live in - and its prejudices.
So why is homosexuality banned in the Bahá'í Faith? The answer is - because the straight people around us wouldn't be able to handle it. It would
overwhelm them with horror if any faith sanctioned a gay lifestyle; families would be divided, society would feel threatened and people's prejudices would
become even more acute because of all this. In short it would create social havoc, especially in traditional societies in certain parts of the world, like in
Africa and Asia.
So we as gay Baha'is have the unenviable position of being the sexual martyrs for the well being of the straight society we live in. Hence we have to
suffer and to hide and to be seen as people with a sickness. A bit like lepers.
But I've recently thought - why should I be this sacrificial lamb and deny myself what I really am?
Being gay is natural - or it wouldn't exist and we'd want to be free of it if it truly were a disease. But it is not, it's just as natural as being
left handed - it's a variation on humanity.
Ok so as a Bahá'í of good standing in my community and at the heart of its functioning life I'm not going to come out at the next LSA meeting, or start
being public about it anywhere else for that matter, but I get great comfort from knowing that being gay is fine with God who created me that way. Conscience
has always been a threatening factor in religion for gay people - the consciousness of being condemned spiritually by God and by your faith for what you are-
but if you can free your mind from such guilt you can be spiritually free, and happy that God loves you for what you are because he made you that
way.
