The issue of homosexuality has been widely discussed and known in Lithuania. Many years ago, it was looked down upon, but in the past few years homosexuals started to fight for their rights, especially, for the right to marry and have a full family with adopted children. However, according to the "Vilmorous" survey, which was made in 2006, only about 12% of the Lithuanians would agree to legalize same-sex marriage and 13% would agree with child adoption. A 2009 "Spinter" survey found that 81.5% of the people said that homosexuality is perversion and disease. These surveys showed the Lithuanian citizens opinion, but not homosexuals’ feelings. Are the LGBTQ+ feeling ignored in our society? This is the question.
I researched and tried to answer this question. I got in touch with three LGBTQ+ men to ask some questions about their sexuality and feelings. All identify as homosexuals. The three main questions that I asked were simple: How did you feel when you realize about your sexual orientation? Have you told someone about it? If yes, are you bullied or feeling offended by society? And the third question is the most important, are you happy? These are their stories.
LAND ON YOUR FEET. Dominykas, 19 years old guy from Vilnius understood about his sexual orientation at the age of 14. When he realized that he is not the same as his peers, he did not feel remorse, as he said, “I was so happy that I finally found myself after a long time and my sexual orientation was not a secret, I decided to be open to everyone without any fear.” He mentioned that about 95% of surrounded people were tolerant and he did not felt any judgments or bullying. Moreover, Dominykas went to his school graduation party with evening makeup and his peers, even boys told him only compliments about his look and makeup, three heterosexual guys asked him to go for a dance.
A LONELY LITTLE PETUNIA IN AN ONION PATCH.
The second person that I interviewed told me an opposite story. An anonymous 19 years old boy said that he is afraid of being himself. As he said, “I did not tell anyone about my “secret” except my close friends and you, even my parents do not know about it. I am afraid to lose beloved ones because of being different”. Anonymous homosexual is also feeling unsecured in publicity, afraid to hear heart-breaking words even from random people. But at the end when I asked him about happiness, he said, “Of course I am happy, I have a lot of goals that I want to reach in my life. I have many problems that heterosexuals do not have, so dealing with them makes me feel stronger.”
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG.
The third man was 19 years old Renaldas. At the age of 8 he understood that he is a homosexual when he fell in love with his classmate. He did not tell anything else about this love, but now, he has another boyfriend. Everyone knows about his sexual orientation except his grandparents. As he said, “It would be too difficult to perceive it for them.” Also, he said that he is not ignored in our society, he does not suffer bullying, but Renaldas is afraid to go in publicity with his boyfriend, because he always gets unpleasant glances from the older generation.
Are LGBTQ+ ignored? This question is still not fully answered and closed. Many things have improved, but, based on the facts from my interview, almost all homosexuals are still living in fear of homophobic violence. These people cannot be fully themselves, because even family members and friends can reject them. However, I am proud to say that my research let me understand that despite their sexual orientation, bullying, unpleasant words and glances, all these people are happy.