SamSaid!

HOMOSEXUALITY

     In days of super-sensitivity, increasing thought control, and speech censorship even on college campuses, it is not easy to speak or write about homosexuality without setting off a firestorm, particularly since the US Supreme Court has prominently put it on the front page of the public agenda. History has not been kind to homosexuals. Over the centuries, different societies, religions, cultures and civilizations have treated homosexuals very harshly. They have been cast out, castigated, ostracized, demeaned, attacked, imprisoned, and killed  –  as though they were sub-human.

     Through all of this there have been creative and talented people who happened to be homosexuals. These folks may have been accepted for their skills and accomplishments, but very grudgingly. Here, the law of generalties holds true  –  i.e., it is far easier to castigate homosexuals as a group rather than individuals. The most pejorative terms have been applied to the genre. During my military service, “queer”, “fairy”, “lezzie”, “pervert”, and “deviant” were terms commonly used. Nowadays, these terms have been replaced by “gay”  –  a more positive label.

     Currently, homosexuals like to say that they are no different than other folks  –  they just pursue a different lifestyle. But that just doesn't wash with most people who visualize man on man sodomy, the Nambla people who advocate and defend older men/young boy sexual behavior, and the “in-your-face” images in the SFO Gay parades. The bulk of our populatiion simply does not accept homosexuality as a normal coupling relationship. There are 6 billion people on our planet, and none of them got here through homosexuals relationships. I think that simple statistic establishes the societal norm. Thus homosexuality can properly be described as abnormal. But…. understandably … homosexuals prefer not to be described as “abnormal”. Hence, the play on words such as “gay”, “different lifestyle”, “personal relationships”. etc., etc.

    Homosexuals are human beings and deserve to live unthreatened lives even though their sexual behavior may be highly offensive to others. But same-sex marriage is a horse of a different color. I just don't buy that. It seems to me that this is still another instance where a small minority is saying to the overwhelming majority of citizens, “Hey, we are here, so change your rules.” Marriage is special and different. It is for men and women. If homosexuals want to formalize their coupling, let them pick another word.

     Leave marriage alone.