Now, before I type the contents of my interview, I want to warn you if you
are of younger age, you might not understand it all, and you don't need to (in my opinion). Now, for the rest of you, keep reading.
I want to lay down some facts that I knew of before this interview. One day, I saw a banner fly across Whyville that QUISP made. It said, "I am GAY." QUISP is a 13 year old boy who's homosexual. I found this very, very disturbing, that someone actually younger than me had already made this decision. It is, in my opinion, a decision. It is not something that you "can't stop", it's not like that. I know that you can control your sexuality, and I will never EVER believe otherwise.
I decided to interview QUISP, because I found his decision a disturbing fact. Some of the facts in this article may be very disturbing for you, but they're very true. I also think that if you're old enough to understand this article you should have the privilege of reading it. So I'm hoping that the Times Editor will publish it.
Me: How old are you now?
QUISP: Right now I am 13.
Me: How old were you when you decided you were gay?
QUISP: You don't really 'decide' to be gay, you pretty much either are, or you aren't. I've liked guys... for quite awhile, although I 'realized' I was gay when I was11.
Me: Do your parents know, what do they think?
QUISP: No, my parents do not know. I don't really plan on telling them
anytime soon either. When the time comes and I HAVE to tell them, then I will, LoL.
QUISP: Either of my parents has their own opinions on homosexuality. My mother seems to be the more understanding one; practically everyone on my
dad's side of the family seems to be a LITTLE homophobic.
Me: Were you raised by homosexuals?
QUISP: LoL, no, not to my knowledge at least. My mom does have some gay friends, I don't talk to them much though, they're nice. But I don't really know them.
Me: Have you been involved in homosexual relationships?
QUISP: I guess you mean like, dating another guy? No, no I have not.
Me: Do you have any homosexual friends on Whyville?
QUISP: Yes, I do. A few, actually. Although I'm not going to list them out for you, there ARE other homosexuals on Whyville.
Me: How is the tolerance on Whyville?
QUISP: I'd say good. Most people are fairly understanding, most are quite inquisitive and ask a few questions, LoL. There are some people that don't like the fact that I am homosexual, but everybody has their own opinion and they are entitled to it.
Me: How often do you get teased in Whyville?
QUISP: Nobody ever really teases me for very long... They may call me one name, or say something really dumb, but it's easy to ignore those people. And they don't bother me for long, but it happens practically every day.
Me: Do you have an issue with people who think your lifestyle is wrong?
QUISP: No, I don't have an 'issue' with them. They are entitled to their opinions; but I would prefer it if they didn't exactly keep on telling me it's wrong. I don't tell them that things they do are wrong, I wish they wouldn't do it to me, LoL.
Me: Do you plan on staying homosexual all your life?
QUISP: Umm, yeah? Unless I magically start becoming attracted to girls, which I am not at the moment. I will remain a homosexual all my life. Heh.
Me: What do you think about homosexual marriages?
QUISP: I think that they should be allowed, why not? People should have the freedom to marry whoever they choose.
Me: Have you ever considered being heterosexual?
QUISP: Nope, as I said before I didn't choose to be homosexual, I just am. I'm perfectly fine with being a homosexual, when I first 'realized' I was gay, I kinda beat myself up about it. And wondered why I liked guys not girls, but that's all.
Me: What do people at your school think?
QUISP: Nobody that I know cares, or if they do, they don't talk about it. Most of my friends think its cool, LoL. Soon almost the entire senior end knew.... Some of the younger kids (grade 6's and stuff) were kinda freaked out by it. They were the only people that made fun of me, but then again, I didn't care what they thought. High school may be different though... =S.
Me: Do you know a lot of other homosexuals out of Whyville?
QUISP: I know none... None at all. Well, I've met some other places on the net. But in real life, I know none.
Me: Do you plan on dating as you become an older teen?
QUISP: Yeah! Of course!
Well, now you know this very controversial (or I think it is) issue in Whyville. Now no matter how wrong I know that this young man's life is, I will never be mean to him. I will never tease him. I encourage all you Whyvillians out there who have ever teased QUISP before to stop. This is an issue that if you know that it is wrong you can't tolerate it, BUT you can still be nice to this boy.
My point in this article when I first started writing it was to show a disturbing situation in Whyville, about a young man who had already chosen what can be a very painful, and
dangerous life. Now, I know that no matter how disturbing it is to me, I have to accept that this boy is who he is. No matter how much I think his life is sooo very wrong, I know that at the moment there's nothing I can do about it but pray for him, and be nice to him.
That's what I encourage everyone to do. Be nice to QUISP even if you disagree with his lifestyle, because you never know what being nice to him can do!
Editor's Note: This can be a very intense subject for many people, and I hope you all read this article with open minds for both sides. I am impressed at how balanced a viewpoint smileNOW managed to present, in spite of her manifest condemnation of QUISP's choice/nature. We at the Times have received submissions on this topic before, but this was the first where we felt both voices were truly represented. QUISP is clearly a well-spoken, intelligent young man whose ideas and ideals stand out strong and clear; smileNOW is a passionate, intrigued citizen striving to remain compassionate while still disagreeing with her interviewee. I applaud them both for remaining true to themselves while still trying to be open to the viewpoints of others -- this is, I believe, the Whyville Way.
For those of you who wish to share your thoughts and feelings on this issue with the Times, please be aware that we will not publish diatribes of any sort for either side. Simply put, stay polite, please!
Thank you,
Times Editor
