A New Generation of Irrational Haters Arise

Newsbusters.org - a GOP blog of apology - denounces the Time magazine article The Battle Over Gay Teens by John Cloud as playing with the facts. I ventured into the comments and, of course, found myself in a sea of stubborn prideful dismay at John Cloud's audacity at reporting gay teenagers as (GASP!) mostly happy well-adjusted people. They went on with the usual lambasting of all gay people as vile, abominable perverts seeking to take over the world. My comment follows:

Given the statistical nature of intersex conditions in newborns, it is easy to understand that biological factors still not clearly understood (see What Makes People Gay) are at play when some children turn out less masculinized (i.e. gay) and less feminized (i.e. lesbian) or even somewhere in between (i.e. bisexual).

It doesn't matter what causes some people to feel they are fundamentally oriented differently than heterosexuals. We all begin in the womb as the female chromosome. About half then masculinize for the male chromosome is introduced. Along the way, different levels of hormones bathe the brain and cause greater or lesser masculinization or feminization depending upon a myriad of factors including those initial chromosomes. It is all a rather delicate process existing along a spectrum. And yes, this includes our sexuality.

But no matter how many gay and lesbian people speak out and witness to the simple truth of their lives - that we are whole just as we are - there will always be those like the Christian Fundamentalist who will seek to denigrate and slander us.

Why? Our unapologetic demand to be treated as whole intact human beings deserving of the same rights and priveleges as all other citizens in good standing challenges the authority of their Orthodoxy. Gay people who live their lives with dignity by refusing to be treated or spoken about as inferior inauthentic people are branded militants and extremists. Absurd!

Any gay person who buys into the Fundamentalist crap about 'hate the sin love the sinner' or 'homosexuality is a behavior not an orientation' has tragically become lost in the misinformation and brainwashing ferverntly being spread by Evangelicals and thier networks. Realizing one is gay and understanding one's basic dignity and self-worth are difficult enough without all the wicked anti-gay Fundamentalist Fascists out there telling the gay teen they are no different than a rapist or alcoholic in need of reform. The worst part is the Ex-Gay movement and the immense suffering and confusion they are causing to gay teens who often have no fact-based positive information let alone support from family and friends. Thankfully, other communities of faith have not succumbed to the righteous irrational hysteria of the Fundamentalists and have welcomed gay people and their families in the knowledge that communities of inclusion and diversity are healing and exactly what many troubled gay teens desperately need.

And yet the march of the cowards continues as otherwise good well-meaning people refuse to see the humanity of their gay family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Just as with my own family members who defiantly remain racist, these stubbornly prideful anti-gay Fundamentalists persist yet, hopefully, will soon fade to the margins of an evolving society.

Sally and Jerry will likely have no problem finding a new generation of irrational haters to showcase given the great number of Evangelical and Catholic Fundamentalist Anti-Gay Crusaders.