Hi, I'm Jenni. I'm 18 and a freshman at ETSU. I'm doing a double major in chemistry & biology, with hopes to eventually become a pharmacist. I like all things creative. Knitting, drawing, writing, crocheting, painting, anything, I'm there. I love to read, and one of my ideas of an amazing day is just being curled up on my couch, completely immersed in a book. I'm pretty good with computers, and I like messing around with them to make them better. I guess you could say I'm a nerd, but hey, it happens. I like to cook, and consider myself pretty good at it. I have lots of friends, and they make my life interesting, to say the least. I couldn't sing well if my life depended on it, but you know, I'm okay with that. I have four pets and love animals in general. I live to help people in every way I can. I hate seeing anyone hurt. Even if the person who's hurting isn't someone I particularly like, I still want to try to make it better for them. Before I die, I want to change the world in some way, even if it's small. I like bright colors a lot. I drive a bright blue VW Beetle. I got bored one Summer day a few years ago, and painted the walls of my room bright orange just because it seemed like a good idea at the time. My family, no matter how much they annoy me at times, means the world to me, and I really do love each and every one of them. I give second chances without question, and third, fourth, fifth and even sixth chances aren't hard to get from me. I trust easily, but sometimes too easily. I look for the beauty in everyone I meet, and everything I see. I try to always be there for my friends. I hold on to things I should let go because it hurts too much to move on, but I'm doing pretty well, I think. I laugh, cry, joke, talk, scream, bleed, and heal just like most everyone else.
I also happen to be a lesbian.
All of these things go into what defines me, but not one by itself makes the person I am.
So why is it that knowing I'm gay will completely shape someone's opinion of me, when there are millions more facets to my life? How can I get to know someone, and have them on the "decent friends" level, only to have them turn on me when they find out I have girlfriends rather than boyfriends? What is it about the fact that I happen to be attracted to people with the same anatomy as me that instantly makes me such a horrible person? I really don't understand how someone I would consider my friend, in a split second, can completely change their view on me. I know people who wouldn't even speak to me just because they heard I'm gay. Those people don't even know me, and have never spoken to me, but already have a strong dislike towards me because of who I am. It makes absolutely no sense.
I think this is why no one's making progress in many aspects of society. People let stereotypes define them, and don't get to know the person behind the label. I'm more than my attraction.
Sexuality does NOT define a person.
Comments (1)
the world would be a better place without stereotypes, thats for sure. problem is, people like the world defined. one way to describe that is box theory. people like to lump things together mentally because they have similar attributes, putting them in a box if you will. things that have attributes found in that box, but are not of that box confuse and irritate their mental state. at which point, they either adapt, make a new box, and move on, or just cram their perception of you in a box it doesnt fit in just to satisfy themselves and make their head not hurt anymore. its a very annoying and cyclical system that will never be broken, but that doesnt mean we cant hope for that day. =) ps, yes, i just got back on xanga for once !!