events of its kind in the world, attracting hundreds of people, both homosexual and heterosexual. Within the microcosm of Dulwich College, our community is similarly described as vibrant, welcoming and tolerant. I would be the first person to note that you would be hard-pressed to find another school that had a tradition of an Annual Muslim vs. Hindu Hand of Friendship Football Match. However, it is important to note the distinction between tolerance and acceptance. A closer look at the definitions of these two words provides an insight into the way we view and respond to the concept of homosexuality. Tolerance is ‘to put up with, the capacity to endure continued subjection to something’. When that ‘something’ is homosexuality, the idea sounds very wrong and is not something that should be aspired for. Acceptance, however, is ‘to regard as proper/normal/inevitable, or to recognise as true’. The distinction is made clear when it comes to legislation: tolerance can be written into the school rules and be made part of the law of the land, and indeed it has been. Tolerance can therefore be enforced. However, acceptance, or persuading people to regard homosexuality as purely natural and normal, is something that requires a societal shift. It is my hope that society is able to keep moving forward in the positive way it is. I say this because, whilst gay rights are at an all time high, with the media singing the praises of all those who pushed for gay marriage, the culture remains the same. In a twelve-hour period, the phrases ‘fag’, ‘dyke’ and ‘so gay’ are each used over 1,100 times on Twitter. In a week, these figures surpass one million. Similarly, what does it say about our culture that we would be more comfortable seeing a man holding a gun than holding another man’s
“...tolerance can be written into the school rules and be made part of the law of the land, and indeed it has been. Tolerance can therefore be enforced. However, acceptance, or persuading people to regard homosexuality as purely natural and normal, is something that requires a societal shift.”
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