The lunacy of prejudice

Lately in Imprint, much has been made about the issue of homosexuality. To my astonishment, a great deal of resentment still exists towards homosexuals, even here, at our very own University of Waterloo. It seems no matter how much you try to reason with certain people, they still can't seem to accept homosexuals as equals, fully deserving of any rights conferred upon the "normal" segment of society. Ad nauseaum, we are bombarded by vitriol about how this type of behaviour is deviant, immoral, repugnant, anti-Christian, etc. "Deviant," as opposed to "different," is the preferred word of usage, no doubt for its more sinister connotations than anything else.

From my perspective, it's the homophobes, not their targets, who seem to be mixed up. People who partake in homosexual activities do so because it is their sexual preference, not because they are immoral or because it is their intention to corrupt other peoples' standards. Exactly how is homosexuality immoral? Is it immoral because it is a departure from our established code of conduct, i.e. it's not what the majority of people do? Assuming this is what you believe, then it is pretty obvious that if you can't see the problem with your line of reasoning, then you are living in the wrong time. Maybe a better setting for you would be medieval Europe or Nazi Germany. I dare anyone to present hard proof that would substantiate the claims of assorted homophobes who continue to make these ridiculous and dangerous assertions.

And as far as homosexuality being degrading, well, that is simply a matter of opinion. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if you don't agree with someone else's sexuality, then you have the right to be ignorant and make your views known, but you don't have the right to stop that person from doing what he or she wants to do in the privacy of their own homes. Besides, even if homosexuality is an act of debasement to those who practice it, so what? Consenting adults, hurting absolutely no one else, are at liberty to "degrade" themselves if they so choose because they are making a free choice without any constraints from outside forces.

These matters are no one else's business, and anyone trying to make it their business obviously has a serious problem with allowing people to pursue harmless sexual pleasure in a (supposedly) free country.

Perhaps more seriously, such people have a need to bring to bear their own inflexible, self-righteous, and repressed ideologies on those who disagree with them. You have to wonder about homophobes and their puritan allies. It seems to me that they wouldn't be trying to control people unless they were insecure about their own sexuality. Whatever their damage is, they have no right to dictate to others how they should conduct their sexual affairs. If left to their own devices, they would probably attempt to institute some sort of demented Inquisition with the express goal of forcibly converting homosexuals to the "other side." Hey, why don't we just round up all the gays and send them adrift where they can find some deserted island so they can do as they please? Then, at last, we can have a nice, conformist world where the "sex police" will constantly monitor sexual behaviour.

Why should anyone care whether or not homosexuality is "natural?" What's wrong with "unnatural?" Some people would rather be themselves than obey someone else's misguided notion of adhering to only that which is "natural."

Probably the most pathetic reason put forth for denying homosexuals equal rights is that they don't procreate, and therefore all that remains is the pernicious folly that underscores sexual "deviance." Give me a break! Gee, maybe our population will dwindle away if we let the government sanction homosexuality! Unfortunately much of our country still advocates such ludicrous ideas, as evidenced by the Neanderthals that many mistake for politicians. It's disturbing that people in such high places are so narrow-minded and brain-washed by an upbringing which stressed a conservative mind-set.

This whole issue has, more than anything else, exposed the dark side of those who oppose it, demonstrating the conformity and prejudice that infests their outlook. Let's not let ignorance get in the way of treating homosexuals with the respect and decency that they deserve something which they should not have to earn from us in the first place.

-Dan (Last name withheld by request - Kovu)

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Send comments to: kovu at lionking point org