Today My Presentation Was About Homosexuality, Honour Killings & The Punjabi Culture!

I am so glad my presentation is over! I came out of the closet during my presentation today! The reason I came out was because my presentation also deals with specific experiences. My presentation was about  family honour in the South Asian culture. My ex boyfriend he is Punjabi. I talked about the fact I first met my ex boyfriend at university. I remember my ex boyfriend, he said that in the Punjabi culture it is taboo to be gay.

Also, I recall we used to talk late at night about his fear of being forced into an arranged marriage. He talked a lot about the concept of maintaining his family’s honour. I remember, he was so depressed and upset when we talked on the telephone at two or three O’ clock in the morning because he was so fearful of his father. I recall not knowing what to say or do but I just listened.

I told my classmates during my presentation that I felt powerless. I think my research really helped me to understand being gay in Punjabi culture is just not acceptable.  My ex boyfriend told me earlier this year that he is thinking about moving to South Korea to teach for a year. He really wants to get away from his parents.

On Monday, during cognitive behavioral therapy the psychologist suggested I should come out and see if I become anxious. One girl, said she was absolutely shocked I am gay! I am so surprised she is shocked! She said that I “can’t be born gay”.

Next, the girl asked “how do you know you are gay?” I replied “how do you know you are straight?” Next, the girl said “you can’t be born that way it is just not possible.” I answered “nobody questions  a straight person’s heterosexuality.” She was silent, and then we continued to listen to the next person start her presentation. However, the girl  said “I would not mess with Punjabi people  they are very conservative.”

The topic of my presentation was honour killings, Punjabi culture, and domestic violence. I talked about arranged marriages, homosexuality, gang rape, and domestic violence in the South Asian culture. The Punjabi culture is a very endogamous culture it is very patriarchal. I also discussed the fact that to be gay in Punjabi culture is simply very socially unacceptable.

I practiced last night and my presentation was about half an hour. I practiced my presentation a second time this morning. My speech was about half an hour and I feel good!