The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

September 14, 2012

Your View: Homosexuality is not a choice

Vickey Sherwin, North Mankato

I’m a mother of three precious daughters and one equally precious son who happens to be gay.

I remember the moment he told me. Initially, I couldn’t breathe, but in an instant I knew what to do. I embraced him and told him I love him unconditionally and would support him always.

After that day, I began to view the world through a different set of eyes and ears. Listen and you can hear it too: Derogatory jokes, name calling and religious condemnation. To be gay means you have to be invisible to avoid discrimination.

I began to educate myself. I learned of families torn apart when gay children “came out” and then were thrown out. I read about a mother who could not forgive herself after rejecting her gay daughter who then committed suicide. I recalled Matthew Shepard, a college student who was tied to a fence for 18 hours and left to die, just because he was gay.

Some describe homosexuality as a lifestyle that is chosen. It is ridiculous to suggest that anyone would intentionally choose to do something that would bring so much misery.

Homosexuality is a sexual orientation, not a lifestyle.

Do you remember the day you chose to be a heterosexual? No. You just were.

We all are created by a loving God who said, “I have looked out on everything I have made and behold, it is very good.” Genesis 1:31.

My hope is that my son may marry someday, just like his sisters.

Don’t risk regretting a “yes” vote that caused hurt and pain for any of our children.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise. But I do not subscribe to the alarmist idea that man made climate change (f/k/a anthropogeni

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013

  • Laws of life essays were inspiring essays inspired What a pleasure it was to read the Laws of Life essays in the May 5 edition. It is this kind of reporting that makes The Free Press our hometown newspaper. And congratulations to Shane Price and Fahad Qureshi. Your writings were a good read. Bruce Bi

    May 16, 2013