From: rich.bellacera@amail.amdahl.com
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Is it actually 10%??
Date: 18 Dec 92 03:28:50 GMT
Return-Path: <amail.amdahl.com!rich.bellacera@juts.ccc.amdahl.com>

> Subject: Re: pounding the "10%" figure into the ground: Nature, 12/3/92
> In article <13627@optilink.COM> Clayton Cramer, cramer@optilink.COM
> writes:
 { Cramer's diatribe deleted due to high nausea content}

I have a serious question.  O.K., it's pretty much in agreement that a
plausable percentage of the world's population in gay oriented (approx. 10% or
less).  My question is, with respect to this percentage and the current
increase in understanding of human nature and compassion, is it possible that
as there is more acceptance of gays that more will actually admit to being
gay?  In other words, is it possible that no matter how many surveys are
conducted, people will always lean on the heterosexual side out of fear of
being discovered?  I know in the past, whenever I filled out surveys I was not
always honest with respect to the questions asked.  If the questions were
percieved to have a possible negative answer I was more likely to answer the
positive one fearing that somehow that survey would come back to haunt me.  I
realize that surveys are usually anonymous, but I was usually pressured by
fear and peers to answer with what I "thought" would be the more acceptable
answer rather than what I really believed about myself or the nature of the
question (irrespective of the topic on the survey...ie. sex, work, school,
etc.)

Because I know that I did not always answer surveys honestly, and I have
spoken to many others who answer similarly, I was wondering how accurate
surveys concerning one's sexual orientation really are?  I mean, it seems
entirely plausible that as long as our society treats homosexuality with
disdain, those who fear they might be found out will always answer as a
heterosexual (despite the reality of their orientation), including those who
fear some sort of enigmatic retribution for even admitting such an orientation
to themselves (in their own mind) as though that...in itself would condemn
them.  It is this irrational fear that has sealed the suicide attempts of many
young men.

So could it be possible that even more than 10% of the world's population is
gay oriented?  I, personally believe that is in fact a reality, but I suppose
that if the environmental pressures against homosexuality are lifted and
people start answering more honestly, that the Christian Right ("Fundies")
will use that increased percentage data as "proof" that gays recruit.

BTW...How do gays recruit?  Are their NAMBLA poster children with the phrase
"Fags R us" or "Join now and be treated badly by your fellow humans".  What is
the great appeal that the Fundies think gays have that draw young children?
I suppose they have a warped sense of understanding since I have witness
blatant LIES spewing forth from the pulpit of many churches in order to seal
the support of their congregations.  Blatant misrepresentations of what
defines a homosexual and especially those subtle lies that take listeners
unawares. Such as when cases of Child Molestation are presented.  When reports
of an older man molesting a young girl it is called (simply enough) rape and
Child molestation (as it should be).  But when a report of an older man
molesting a young boy is mentioned it is instead called a repulsive homosexual
act (as though the first case (man+girl) does not represent heterosexuality as
a whole, but the second case (man+boy) does.  Then there are the photo
opportunities where the worst-case scenarios (i.e. B&D homos or NAMBLA) are
solely depicted as "true" and "total" representations of all of homosexualdom.
I certainly know that many gays do not believe the radical right Fundies do
NOT represent all of Christendom, so it should be understood that fringe
groups among gays do not represent all of those who would be called
homosexuals.  Since many Fundies love to point to NAMBLA as proof of "gays
recruiting new homosexuals I would like to hear a "good" explanation as to
where all the new lesbians come from?  Are there active lesbian recuiting
agencies?

Another curiosity concerns a misappropriated notition that all gays indulge in
anal intercourse.  From talking with some gay males, they dislike the act of
penetration.  This being the case where is the so-called "sodomy" that makes
homosexuality so bad?  Or is it just the notion that gay orientation itself is
supposedly evil?

As a Christian it amazes me how much the Far Right (Fundies) wish to take a
strangle-hold on society and dictate how individuals should live their lives.
I seem to recall that it is not our place to judge anyone, but only to pray
and teach "the Truth", but somewhere along the way, some have gotten the
notion that we are to teach man-made Truths (i.e. false doctrines) and control
all of the elements around us. There are those who would say because I do not
hold to their misguided theology of conquer and oppress that I am therefore a
heretic...that is there problem since I answer not to them, but to God for my
actions.  I pray that other Christians would come to understand that we are
NOT to persecute others, but rather to love them and share the gospel of Jesus
Christ.  That if we truely believe that someone wlse is "wrong" we should turn
them over to the direction of the Holy Spirit and not to our venomous attacks.
Personally, I do not believe that homosexuality, itself is condemned by the
scriptures.  Rather that certain acts, like certain heterosexual acts, are
discouraged (i.e. using your body for purposes of idolatrous worship to false
gods which is the case in most of the O.T. scriptures and in the case of
Romans 1, or cases of child molestation and rape, etc., but not an intimate
and loving relationship between two monogamous persons).  Others do not have
to agree with me (either gay or Christian "Fundies") that is their perogative
in this democratic society.  I believe that as long as someone does not
infringe on me, my family and others, they should be allowed to live the life
that best suits them.  I do not believe in legistating someone's rights away
as the Colorado Ammendment 2 did when it said that gays & lesbians have no
rights to accuse thier employers or landlords of discrimination in a court of
law.  I also believe that g&l should be treated no better or worse that anyone
else in society (i.e. no 'quotas' or the like), but then neither should there
be 'quotas for 'blacks','women' or other groups.  But since we live in a
society that LOVES to discriminate against others it is understandable why
such laws occur.
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