UC News Record |
Opinion Page
|
Oct. 28, 1998 |
| To the editor:
Tyler Young’s guest column ("Dare to be straight: it’s your right", October 15-18), is an excellent example of two of the dangers to gay people in modern society; strong emotional fixations on homosexuality and high levels of ignorance concerning homosexuality. It is this volatile combination that killed Matthew Shepard. It is the reason events like "Coming Out Week" are necessary. It is the reason laws are needed to protect gay people from violence and discrimination. The average heterosexual person is pretty ambivalent about the homosexuality of others. They are comfortable with their own sexuality and are not fixated on the sexuality of others. However, significant minorities, like Mr. Young, possess strong emotional reactions to homosexuality. We are not speaking about philosophical or theological concerns that can be addressed logically and rationally, but rather, intense negative emotions. Comments like "outrage and disgust", "grossed out" and "nasty" contradict and betray Tyler’s protestations that he speaks from love and not hate. In addition, Mr. Tyler demonstrates a vivid preoccupation with anal intercourse, which he seems to think defines homosexuality. In actuality, ten percent of heterosexuals engage in anal intercourse as part of their sexual repertoire, whereas the total number of gay people is estimated as lower than this, and only fractions of this number practice this option - according to the latest surveys. |
When he takes the position that "tolerance, here, is not the answer," Mr. Young demonstrates an intensity of emotions which are suspiciously excessive, especially when applied to the social context following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard.
These intense emotions are fed, but not caused, by his ignorance. He still clings to the fantasy that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice. He believes that "Coming Out Week" is an activity of proselytizing, rather than of raising social conscience and awareness. Giving the intensity of his emotions, it is not surprising that he uses an outdated exegesis of the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah (which historical and biblical scholars have show dealt with inhospitality and not homosexuality). Also, he calls homosexuality "unnatural" without context, apparently not acknowledging or realizing the term is applied philosophically rather than biologically. Rather than supporting his statements with evidence and facts, Tyler Young has opted to use the force of the intensity of his emotions to justify his position. Bluntly, he has not expressed a single accurate, evidence supported statement. Ignorance fueled by intense emotional opinions is a deadly combination. It is this kind of combination that is conducive to such actions as gay bashing, and, again, brutal murders like that of Matthew Shepard. Paul Mullins, Education Junior |
 |
 |
The above is the published version of this letter. The published version reflects editing by Steven Bruening and Paul Mullins of my origional. It was published under Paul Mullins name because he is a student at U.C. The origional letter will also be posted.
