No, Queer People Aren't New-But These Lies Sure Are
From gay penguins to ancient emperors, the truth is out there-and its louder than your ignorance.
Greetings, Dear Readers,
Welcome back and happy Monday. I hope the weekend brought you rest, whether you spent it surrounded by loved ones or in peaceful solitude. Either way, I hope you’re recharged—because the weeks ahead, as always, promise new battles.
Today’s long-form piece was inspired by something many of us have done but know we shouldn’t: I read the comments. I won’t dignify the original post with a response, nor will I bring more attention to a man whose lineage, judging by the way he writes, likely began long ago in the slave huts, with a grandpappy who couldn’t keep his hands off what he considered property.
I could let this man fade into the irrelevance his ancestors once tried to inflict on others—silencing voices they feared. But silence, my friends, is complicity. And while he may not be worth the ink, the lies in his comments section are.
This weekend, I was told—through a comment dripping in righteous indignation—that LGBTQ people are a recent “phenomenon,” a symptom of some radical leftist contagion. That we should be cautious, lest we all become infected. That it’s somehow offensive to see so many LGBTQ stories in the media, given that “they’re only 3% of the population.” And, of course, that Jesus himself would prefer these people be shamed, exiled, or imprisoned. Because being queer, apparently, is a sin against God.
Now, I didn’t respond then. You can’t save someone that far gone with a Facebook reply. But here, in my space, I will say it plainly:
Stuff and nonsense.
Same-Sex Behavior Isn’t New—Or Even Unnatural
Let’s begin with the most easily disprovable bit of mythology: that LGBTQ people are a modern invention. If homosexuality were a creation of the liberal media, we wouldn’t see same-sex sexual behavior across the natural world. And yet, we do. Over 1,500 animal species have exhibited it—vertebrates and invertebrates, from insects to primates. Among our closest genetic cousins—non-human primates—over 50 species have documented same-sex behavior.
Many Christian groups claim humans are the only animals capable of rational thought. They scoff at giving animals rights, claiming it elevates the creature above God’s greatest creation. But here’s a question: if homosexuality is a taught behavior, how do you explain gay penguins? Or rams? Or bonobos? Are we planning to start preaching to sea lions next?
No, it’s time to let go of the myth that gay people are made—not born. And while you’re at it, kindly leave the liberal media out of it.
LGBTQ History Didn't Start With Netflix
Let’s also clear up another misconception: that queer people have just arrived.
Gay people have been here since recorded history began. From emperors to inventors, revolutionaries to rulers, LGBTQ people have always existed.
Alexander the Great, the model of masculinity for many, reportedly knew defeat only in Hephaestion’s arms. Emperor Hadrian, who built architectural wonders still visited today, openly loved Antinous and deified him after his death.
Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio—whose images of Christ and Saints still hang in churches—painted their male lovers into the images, using their features to show Christians the face of Christ or Saint Peter. Christina, Queen of Sweden, dressed as a man and refused to marry. Françoise Saucerotte, revolutionary and founder of the Anandrynes secret lesbian society, stood boldly in 18th-century France.
And let’s not forget more recent history: Alan Turing, who helped defeat the Nazis by cracking the Enigma machine, was chemically castrated by the British government for being gay. He died by suicide two years after his sentence. Bayard Rustin, civil rights hero and advisor to MLK, was pushed to the sidelines because of his sexuality. Monica Helms, a trans Navy veteran from Sumter, SC, created the transgender pride flag in 1999 after her transition.
We’ve always been here. You just weren’t looking.
LGBTQ History Didn't Start With Netflix
Let’s also clear up another misconception: that queer people have just arrived.
Gay people have been here since recorded history began. From emperors to inventors, revolutionaries to rulers, LGBTQ people have always existed.
Alexander the Great, the model of masculinity for many, reportedly knew defeat only in Hephaestion’s arms. Emperor Hadrian, who built architectural wonders still visited today, openly loved Antinous and deified him after his death.
Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio—whose images of Christ still hang in churches—painted their male lovers into biblical scenes. Christina, Queen of Sweden, dressed as a man and refused to marry. Françoise Saucerotte, revolutionary and founder of the Anandrynes secret lesbian society, stood boldly in 18th-century France.
And let’s not forget more recent history: Alan Turing, who helped defeat the Nazis by cracking the Enigma machine, was chemically castrated by the British government for being gay. He died by suicide. Bayard Rustin, civil rights hero and advisor to MLK, was pushed to the sidelines because of his sexuality. Monica Helms, a trans Navy veteran from Sumter, SC, created the transgender pride flag in 1999 after her transition.
We’ve always been here. You just weren’t looking.
The Real Numbers (And Why They Matter)
Now let’s talk numbers. That 3% figure? A quick Google top result. But if our Nostradamus of Wikipedia had bothered to read further, they’d see a fuller picture.
While 3% identify as gay or lesbian, an additional 4% identify as bisexual, 1% as pansexual, 1% as asexual, and another 1% as “other.” On top of that, 11% of respondents declined to answer at all—likely due to fear, stigma, or safety concerns. That means nearly 10% identify as LGBTQ, and that’s still probably low.
In the U.S., more comprehensive studies estimate 9.5% of adults fall somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum. Conservatives claim this is proof of indoctrination—rising numbers among Gen Z, especially—but the truth is simpler: More people feel safe enough to tell the truth.
Representation matters. When people see themselves in stories, in art, in public life, they come out. Not because they’re “influenced,” but because they feel seen. That’s not indoctrination—that’s validation.
Representation Hurts No One—but Silence Has
Now, let’s address the hand-wringing over “too much” LGBTQ representation in media.
As a cinephile raised in a Christian home with three siblings, I know films. I remember Robin Williams dancing through The Birdcage and Nathan Lane making conservative heads spin. But for every fun moment, there’s a torrent of heartbreak: Brokeback Mountain, Rent, Call Me By Your Name. Beautiful films, yes—but rarely joyful.
Representation hasn’t meant celebration. It’s meant tragedy, loneliness, pain. And still, we’re accused of having “too much.”
Gay characters have traditionally existed to serve others: the sassy best friend, the tragic jock, the flamboyant hairdresser. In the ’80s and ’90s, we started getting nurses—because, during the AIDS crisis, gay men and lesbian women were the only ones caring for each other. That’s why today, many associate male nurses with gayness—not because it’s a stereotype, but because they earned that association through compassion and sacrifice.
So yes, representation has increased. And thank God for that. Because when young people see characters who look like them, love like them, and live full lives—they believe they might survive, too.
So What About the Bible?
And now, the grand finale: Christianity.
There are 7 Bible passages often wielded by those who condemn homosexuality: Genesis 9, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18 and 20, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1, and Romans 1. That’s 25 verses out of 31,102.
And guess what? None of them describe the modern concept of a loving, consensual same-sex partnership.
Sodom and Gomorrah was about rape, not love. The Levitical laws also demand death for wearing mixed fabrics, eating shrimp, or working on the Sabbath. Shall we stone the brunch crowd next?
Most New Testament mentions concern male prostitution, pederasty, and pagan sex cults. But in one fascinating passage, Jesus heals a Roman centurion’s servant—described in one Gospel as “precious” and “beloved,” and in another using a Greek word commonly understood as a male lover. What did Jesus do? He healed him, and praised the centurion’s faith.
So no, the Bible doesn’t single out queer people for special judgment. But it does say this:
"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
"Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me."
Let’s stop using scripture as a cudgel to strike down those already carrying more than their share of pain. Instead why don’t we spend a little more time loving our neighbors.
What You Can Do
And now, dear readers, before I go, let’s talk about what you can do.
First, and this for everyone, especially if this is your first time joining me, you can subscribe or follow my work to stay updated on how you can best make your voices heard and issues that may not get as much coverage in mainstream media.
While everyone can certainly be bold in speaking truth to power now that they have some knowledge they can combat ignorance with, it is people of faith who I believe have the biggest call to action here. If you’re a person of faith, one of the most powerful things you can do is stop supporting spaces that treat LGBTQ people like spiritual second-class citizens.
There are over 370,000 churches in America. If you feel like you have to prep your kids, your grandkids, or your friends before attending—that’s not a place worth worshipping. Not only that, it is a place that is actively, whether you are willing to acknowledge that breach or not, actively impacting the relationships with the people you claim as friends and family.
You may not hear it directly, but trust me: those you love are watching. They are wondering what you’d say if they told you who they really are. They wear masks around you. They walk on eggshells. And they grieve, quietly, over the gap between your beliefs and their humanity.
Stop going where the majesty of Christ has been reduced to a list of “dos and don’ts.” Stop tithing to places where grace has no home.
If Christ isn’t welcome in your church’s pews with the least of these, it’s time to find new seats.
Until our next bold move,
Lady LiberTea
This was amazing!!!!! I love how you dive into the real meaning of the words the Bible describes. So many weaponized scripture but knowing the language it originated in is key to actual understanding of the text. Bravo! Definitely subscribing 🥰