From: kendall@adobe.com (Janice Kendall)
Subject: Re: Sad Day for Liberty
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 01:06:33 GMT

In article <BxCyMo.BGu@news.cso.uiuc.edu> parker@ehsn17.cen.uiuc.edu () writes:
>jrmo@volta.att.com (J.R.Moore) writes:
>[parts deleted]
>
>>I have a real disagreement with homosexuals.  I am not convinced that
>>homosexuality is like being left-handed.  I am not convinced that social
>>factors don't influence sexual preference.  I am not convinced that 
>>there is absolutely no choice in sexual preference.  And I admit, I 
>>don't even understand what sexual preference really means, (attraction
>>to same sex characteristics, same sex anatomy, particular sex acts,)
>>and why opposite sex people can't simulate such an attraction.  So
>>I guess I'm part of this religious right your talking about.  And I 
>>guess people I know who side with you on every other issue but still
>>think homosexuality is 'deviant' are also part of that religious right.
>
>There is *some* evidence that homosexuality may be influenced by physiological
>factors.  However, whether they are "born that way" or become that way through
>"social factors" makes no difference.  It is a *part* of them and to attempt to
>"convert" them amounts to brainwashing.  (I'm pretty sure brainwashing is
>illegal, though I don't remeber hearing any particular case about it.)  How
>about thinking about a *similar* (but more familiar) situation:
>
>Most people have *favorite* sports teams.  Suppose everyone at work is a Cubs
>fan except for one person.  This person likes another team say, the Dodgers.
>The Cubs fans always assumed that everyone at work was a Cubs fan.  Being a
>Dodger fan seems 'deviant' to them.  One day, they find the Dodger fan listening
>to a Dodger-Cub game (realistic? I don't follow Baseball very much) and rooting
>for the Dodgers.  They can't understand it.  They decide they can't tollerate
>this.  They try to "talk him out of" being a Dodger fan.  He just says, "you
>like who you like, I like who I like."  The Cubs fans talk to the boss (who
>also happens to be a Cubs fan) who decides that in the interest of group
>harmony, he has to fire the Dodger fan. . . . Rediculous eh?
>
>Of course, such an extreem reaction would be pretty silly.  Much more likely,
>the Cubs fans would be uncomfortable around the Dodger fan.  He can sense their
>hostility, but at least they never act on it. . . . Still pretty rediculous.
>
>But that is pretty much what you are saying, that you would be uncomfortable
>knowing someone felt differently about something that may be influenced by
>social factors.  Try to be more understanding.  It really isn't that big a deal
>if they aren't flaunting it in your face.  (Which makes people uncomfortable in
>other situations, too.)
>
>>Joe Moore
>
>-Rob

I am straight, but I know of one relative who was gay and I have acquaintances
who are gay.  My relative talked to me as he was dying about how he felt 
cheated because of his sexual orientation.  He tried marriage, he loved
children, but it just wasn't meant to be.  He was always proud of the fact
that no one could tell.  He was also in a monogamous relationship for over
15 years.

I've thought about homophobia and came up with 2 thoughts (i.e., no claims
as to factuality - and I am interested in hearing other people's thoughts):

1) Some people think of gay and straight couples differently.  When they think
   of the heterosexual couple, they think of romantic/spiritual love.  When they
   think of the homosexual couple, they only think of the physical sex act.
   (There are even a few homosexual couples who practice celibacy.)

2) Some heterosexual men strongly react against homosexual men, because
   men know that men can be very aggresive; men know that men rape.
   
 Janice Kendall    kendall@adobe.com    ...!{decwrl|sun}!adobe!kendall

      Don't Panic!  Clinton will be our *42*nd President.

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