These days society is way more tolerant than a few decades ago. A lot of society’s members, however, still cannot accept people who are different than they are. The LGBTQ community causes many various discussions. There are groups of people who support this community, groups who hate and spread anger, and part of society who do not care about LGBTQ people.
Ieva, a girl that I interviewed, is in a relationship with a woman. She is a member of the LGBTQ community. She is homosexual, but she avoids this word, not because she is afraid but because she doesn't like to put people in “boxes” or describe them in one word. Ieva says, “What if that one defined conception will not fit for me one day? I don't want to fit in a word “homosexual” and commit to this concept. Love is the most important thing for me. Now I'm in love with a woman. Actually, I never was into men. But It doesn't matter. Maybe in the future I will meet a wonderful personality which will be a man. For me, it is all about personality and feelings, not gender.”
Ieva’s story is not dramatic. Her family always supported her. It wasn't too hard for her to accept the feelings that she felt. But as she says, “It is just my experience, maybe for the other person it was and still is complicated to be who he is. I live in the capital, I study in the Art’s academy, and people around me are very tolerant. A person who lives in a small Lithuanian village might not be surrounded by large-minded people.” However, sometimes she hears harsh comments from strangers. Ieva mentions that it makes her feel uncomfortable, but she doesn't talk with people who are categorical and mean. There is no reason to do that.
When she remembers her school years, she admits that her school surroundings were different. They were not so tolerant and acceptable as now, in her study years. There were teachers who didn't understand and were harsh. Nevertheless, her family supported her and helped her through these years.
Being homosexual also means facing many stereotypes. Movies, books, and television make people think that women who are homosexual have to be masculine, and wear pants and flannel shirts. This stereotype is not so common now, but when Ieva was younger this cliche affected her too. She said, “I had the second adolescent when I admitted my orientation. I wanted to show everyone that I am not straight. I tried to fit into those stereotypes. But when I found Ellen DeGenere’s wife, who is very feminine, I understood that the clothes do not define me. I really love to paint my lips red and have a nice manicure . Many people say that I look heterosexual, as I don't meet their standards as a homosexual woman.” Ieva confirmed that homosexual couples have no distribution in roles. It is not true that one woman has to be more masculine and the other one more feminine.
Ieva participated in four gay pride parades, which were in different countries. For her, pride is a celebration, where she can meet her friends and enjoy the time of her life. She enjoys that LGBTQ people can freely walk in the cities, as it wasn't allowed even a decade ago.
Ieva enjoys living in the 21st century. She says that every day everything changes and become better. Our society is more tolerant and acceptable than it ever was. Younger generations are more open minded and see the world differently than their parents. Ieva doesn't want to be recognized because of her orientation. She wants to be known because of her jobs. So don't divide people because of their skin tone, orientation or their clothes. Treat them honestly because of their jobs.
Ieva, a girl that I interviewed, is in a relationship with a woman. She is a member of the LGBTQ community. She is homosexual, but she avoids this word, not because she is afraid but because she doesn't like to put people in “boxes” or describe them in one word. Ieva says, “What if that one defined conception will not fit for me one day? I don't want to fit in a word “homosexual” and commit to this concept. Love is the most important thing for me. Now I'm in love with a woman. Actually, I never was into men. But It doesn't matter. Maybe in the future I will meet a wonderful personality which will be a man. For me, it is all about personality and feelings, not gender.”
Ieva’s story is not dramatic. Her family always supported her. It wasn't too hard for her to accept the feelings that she felt. But as she says, “It is just my experience, maybe for the other person it was and still is complicated to be who he is. I live in the capital, I study in the Art’s academy, and people around me are very tolerant. A person who lives in a small Lithuanian village might not be surrounded by large-minded people.” However, sometimes she hears harsh comments from strangers. Ieva mentions that it makes her feel uncomfortable, but she doesn't talk with people who are categorical and mean. There is no reason to do that.
When she remembers her school years, she admits that her school surroundings were different. They were not so tolerant and acceptable as now, in her study years. There were teachers who didn't understand and were harsh. Nevertheless, her family supported her and helped her through these years.
Being homosexual also means facing many stereotypes. Movies, books, and television make people think that women who are homosexual have to be masculine, and wear pants and flannel shirts. This stereotype is not so common now, but when Ieva was younger this cliche affected her too. She said, “I had the second adolescent when I admitted my orientation. I wanted to show everyone that I am not straight. I tried to fit into those stereotypes. But when I found Ellen DeGenere’s wife, who is very feminine, I understood that the clothes do not define me. I really love to paint my lips red and have a nice manicure . Many people say that I look heterosexual, as I don't meet their standards as a homosexual woman.” Ieva confirmed that homosexual couples have no distribution in roles. It is not true that one woman has to be more masculine and the other one more feminine.
Ieva participated in four gay pride parades, which were in different countries. For her, pride is a celebration, where she can meet her friends and enjoy the time of her life. She enjoys that LGBTQ people can freely walk in the cities, as it wasn't allowed even a decade ago.
Ieva enjoys living in the 21st century. She says that every day everything changes and become better. Our society is more tolerant and acceptable than it ever was. Younger generations are more open minded and see the world differently than their parents. Ieva doesn't want to be recognized because of her orientation. She wants to be known because of her jobs. So don't divide people because of their skin tone, orientation or their clothes. Treat them honestly because of their jobs.