In a contemporary society that focuses so much of its current attention on different aspects of equality, it would be absurd to think that something as trivial as same sex relationships would be a matter of such high controversy, but that is exactly where we find ourselves today. The issue facing the gay community is no longer an ethical or legal one, but a moral battle. Gay, Lesbians, and Bisexuals are all statistically facing increased violence and discrimination as a result of their sexual preference. So where are these anti-gay emotions and prejudices coming from? The fundamental religious community has been the front runner in anti-gay messages and teachings since the beginning. So the question becomes, as a nation built on the fundamentals of freedom, how can we choose to look past substantial moral differences in sexual preference as a means of eliminating anti-gay targeted violence and discrimination? 

I grew up a pastor's kid, I was child number three out of four. Our close knit, religiously oriented family was extremely close throughout my entire childhood until my older brother came out to my parents and church community. Chaos ensued and I spent my teen years watching my older brother face unrelenting persecution and unwarranted disrespect all because of his sexual preference. I am in a special position because I have seen both sides of the battle, I have seen the issue through my religiously fundamental lens and I now see the issue as a secular, unaffiliated individual. Now, having been invested in this issue for some time I believe the only way to bring about real change is to target the heart of the issue, the necessary moral acceptance of same sex relationships. 

In his article written in 2000 "The Psychology of Sexual Preference" Gregory Herek, a member of the department of Psychology at the University of California, sets out to define and solidify sexual prejudice as an issue. The article is designed to identify and look closely at the psychological processes that lie behind current sexual prejudice. Herek uses different studies to show that sexual prejudice and antigay discrimination does exist in different levels because of fundamental religious beliefs, political party values, and lack of exposure to people that identify as gay or lesbian. Though Herek's article sets out to prove and analyze sexual prejudice, it contains little emotional bias but instead uses logos and study proven statistics to expose sexual prejudice as a real and growing problem.

A research overview was done by members of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Michelle A. Marzullo and Alyn J. Libman, titled "Hate Crimes and Violence: Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People". In this research overview hate crimes in relation to the LBGT are explained, analyzed, questioned, and ultimately advocated for. There is section within the research overview titled "Predictors of Bias and Sexual Prejudice". Within this section Marzullo and Libman's research exposed that whites were responsible for 46% of LBGT violence. On top of this, the researchers also found that being a religious fundamentalist was the strongest predictor of LBGT prejudice and anti-gay evaluations. An interesting side note was also made within this research, LBGT individuals are blamed more for being attacked than any other category. Marzullo's and Libman's quality research brings into light the issue of anti-gay violence as a result of anti-gay prejudices and beliefs. This research is just one example of how there is an undeniable problem with treatment of the homosexual community in our country. 

Peter Hubbard, a head pastor at North Hills Community, recently collaborated on and came out with a book called Love into Light, a Christian response to the issue of homosexuality. Hubbard also posted an article to the Love into Light website, "Same Sex Marriage: How should Christians respond?" As a pastor of a community church Peter Hubbard does carry an incredible amount of religious bias and one-sided fundamental views throughout his article targeted at the church going community. In his article Hubbard appeals to a fundamental religious society to reject homosexuality because of biblical text but to do so in a manner of love, and respect. Peter Hubbard's proposition is a courageous, and respectful move from someone deep within the southern fundamental church. Interestingly, though Hubbard preaches a message of acceptance, his article is full of strongly worded, emotionally charged text that continuously paint the image of homosexuality as destructive, unnatural, and immoral. These obvious rhetorical strategies are used as means of evoking strong and deep rooted emotion within the average church goer. So the question arises, is what appears to be an honest good hearted message, actually the cause of substantial social prejudice? Is it possible to preach a message of both acceptance and rejection and not expect negative results? Peter Hubbard's "hopeful" text is just one example of how without moral acceptance, confusing religious contradictions will continue to produce messages of prejudice and hate. 

The issue of homosexual acceptance is of a special nature because there is no simple solution. Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals face an increased rate of violence due to anti-gay prejudice, this is an undeniable fact, but it's not so easy to track the source of it. It's no secret that the greatest anti  --  gay message is coming from the fundamental church. So how do you propose to someone a change in their fundamental followings without disrespecting and debunking the rest of their beliefs? This is the complexity and multi-layered scope of this argument. The only way to bring about social change is a moral acceptance, but in order to do so a massive revolution would be necessary within fundamental religions. With such an intense and personal topic it remains key to represent both sides in the fairest way possible while still exploring the underlying possibilities for change. As this research paper develops and narrows it'll be important to analyze and focus only on the moral implications both homosexuality and traditional religions have on society.

