From: anthropo@carina.unm.edu (Dominick V. Zurlo)
Subject: Re: BofA and UW can now support discrimination against blacks and Jews
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 17:39:40 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Aug24.174130.17548@spdc.ti.com> achenbac@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Jeff Achenbach) writes:
>In article <1992Aug23.210258.12959@amhux2.amherst.edu> twpierce@amhux1.amherst.edu (Tim Pierce) writes:
>>In article <1992Aug21.134007.17942@spdc.ti.com> achenbac@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Jeff Achenbach) writes:
>>
>>>I don't understand the objection to any private group using any criteria 
>>>whatsoever for membership. If you don't like it, don't support it, but
>>>freedom for all includes freedom for those you loathe. As long as they 
>>>aren't supported by your tax dollars.
>>
>>BSA gets my tax dollars through the United Way.
>>
>
>At least here is Dallas, United Way is supported by private and corporate
>contributions, not taxes. Are you sure? I too object to any use of my taxes
>that is discriminatory in nature. However, I will defend peoples right to 
>discriminate on their own time and money. 
>
>>>  Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are too few good
>>>influences on young people today.
>>
>>Unfortunately, that's exactly what BSA is doing; in an attempt to
>>throw out the bathwater by excluding queer scouts *and leaders*, they
>>are eliminating some damn fine scout leaders out there.
>>
>
>Unless things have changed tremendously since I was a scout (and they may
>have), a scout caught engaging in sexual activities, whether hetero or homo,
>wouldn't have been a scout for long. As far as being leaders: If they are 
>still in the closet, nobody knows. If they are openly homosexual, then they
>are definitely not qualified to be role models for young boys. I have yet to
>meet the parent who openly hopes their child will grow up to be homosexual.
 
OK Jeff, I was with you until here.  We're not talking about trying to 
recruit or convert people to being gay.  You either are or you're not. 
It's not a choice (at least it wasn't for me or anyone I know, which
is a lot of people), and if a boy is going to be gay, our society and 
culture are horrible for that boy to grow up without going through 
misery and prejudice like you can't imagine.  We need openly gay role
models so that peole who are gay can see positive results.  I know
my parents did not ever wish for me to be gay, and they have a hard 
time accepting it, why do we have to make life harder for choices outside
our control?  I grew up to be gay, I was born gay (IMHO), but I was 
raised to be straight.  No more confusion.  No more pressure.  Lets
help people. Not hate the,
(That's them, not the,)
>
>   In anticipation of an outcry of "homophobe" or some such nonsense, let me
>be blunt. I consider homosexuality a behavioral aberration, somewhat on the 
>order of picking one's nose and eating it. It doesn't directly affect me, but
>neither do I wish to be associated with it. I have better things to do than 
>worry about someone else's deviant behavior. 

Than don't.  But do not tell me that I can't be a good role model becuase 
of the sex of my bedmate.  It is not a behavioral aberration anymore than 
eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches.  It is different from the 
cultural mainstream, yes. But differences are what is supposed to make this
country great.  And that is one of the BSA's teachings.  
>
>Jeff Achenbach
>achenbac@epcot.spdc.ti.com  
>
WWW
Dominick V. Zurlo
Eagle Scout

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the organization, but of
the individual.


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