An especially insidious form of propaganda

I read, with concern, Dan's commentary on prejudice, which appeared in the last issue of Imprint. In the first paragraph he rightly criticizes those who, when they describe homosexual behaviour, prefer to use words for their "more sinister connotations." I applaud his effort. This name calling is an especially insidious form of propaganda. When it is effective it is only because it appeals to maliciousness and prejudice. Name calling must indeed be challenged every time it occurs.

Then the commentary goes on to describe those opposed to homosexuality as homophobes, as mixed up, living in the wrong time, irrational, medieval, Nazi, ridiculous, dangerous, puritan, trying to control people, damaged, insecure with their own sexuality, dictatorial, demented, conformist, misguided, pathetic, narrow-minded, brain-washed, infested with prejudice, disrespectful, having a serious problem, advocating ludicrous ideas, and having an inflexible, self-righteous and repressed ideology. Gee whiz, Dan! You are not helping anyone.

Those of us who want gays and lesbians to take their rightful place as full and equal members of society are only hurt when our anger serves to alienate those we are trying to convince.

In my experience, all we need to do to achieve acceptance, besides having courage and being honest, is to be diplomatic, tolerant, and willing to accept that even those opposing our goals are basically good people who have just not yet realized that we are also basically good people. So show them what we are, Dan. Don't tell them what they are.

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