Oh my! Let's take a step back and try to
really look at what's going on in this discussion. Dean, I can understand
your reaction to the term "recruit." I think that many of us know that the
idea of recruiting straight people is not a reality for GLBT persons, but rather
a myth brought about by fear and misunderstanding. It is an idea that
Ellen Degeneres brought to the ridiculous extreme in her coming out
show--remember that toaster that Laura Dern received at the end of the
show?
I think it is possible that you misunderstood Bob's
use of the term "monster." I read his post as the monster was use of the
law to legislate intolerance--"forcing the will of a few individuals upon
the majority" is the phrase he used I think. To me that sounds like the
same concern that you have about the "religious right."
I wonder if Bob or others have any better
understanding of why the idea of "recruiting" is so troublesome to those of us
who advocate for gay rights after reading your post? Can you comment,
Bob? Other folks? Dean gave us some facts to consider.
I want to affirm Bob for taking a stand in support
of tolerance of others' beliefs which are different from ours. I also want
to reaffirm that we need to be tolerant of each other in this forum and
that we should not tolerate or accept sarcastic remarks directed at
individuals.
I think that this example of how difficult it is to
discuss the issue is evidence of it's local significance. I'd like to see
us strive to accept diversity within our forum and create some ripples out into
the community.
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Is it time for the discussion?
Polygamy
Bob;
What
monster have we released? The monster of tolerance? The monster that says
bigotry and discrimination is bad? What, I fail to see a "monster" here.
Furthermore, the term "gay lifestyle" is one of the most overused cliches in
the gay rights debate today. Second only to the "gay agenda" cliche.
Usually
used by the Religious Right, it is meant to intimidate, and harass gay men and
lesbian women and force them back into the closet Out of sight and out of mind.
Also implicit in both of these cliches is the idea that gays are somehow
more "sexual" then non-gays, and that homosexuality is really all about sex.
Truth of the matter, there is no such thing as a "gay lifestyle". I have
known several gay and lesbian individuals and their "lifestyles" are as varied
and unique as any straight people I know. Some are students, some attorneys,
some business owners, etc., etc.
Finally, your statement about gays not
"recruiting" shows a tremendous homophobia or lack of understanding ~ or both.
Gays do not recruit, that's the military's area.
I recently spent about
13 hours in the presence of a gay friend of mine. Riding to St. Paul, attending
a conference on Human Rights and returning to Winona. At no time did he attempt
to "recruit' me.
The underlying assumption here is that being gay is somehow
a choice people make, It is not. People do not chose to be gay anymore than they
chose to be left-handed, have green eyes or brown hair.
Dean Lanz
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