Jonathan I. Katz: In Defense of Thought Turds

Washington University Physics Professor Jonathan I. Katz posted an article through his school's website entitled "In Defense of Homophobia" (hat tip Good As You). In it he calls gay people basically diseased, immoral and repulsive. You can read the rest if you choose but I wouldn't bother if you prefer avoiding 'thought turds' (hat tip for the term from Joe Perez at Gay Spirituality and Culture). If you wish to congratulate Professor Katz on his compassion and wisdom, he can be reached at katz@wuphys.wustl.edu by email. Here follows my emailed response:

Dear Professor Katz,

Your arguments are reasonable and should be more widely considered if only the following were not true:

1. Homosexuality, just like heterosexuality, is innate. One, therefore, cannot unlearn it. A heterosexual or homosexual choosing celibacy nevertheless remains a heterosexual and homosexual respectively. The ex-gay movement and those who profess to have changed are no different than past examples of the jew or light-skinned black person masquerading as christian or white to avoid bias, marginalization and/or even violence within oppressive villages, states or countries.
2. The potential for a homosexual person to equal a heterosexual in all areas of life other than reproduction is easily observed in the world around us. Homosexuals who are not suppressed by unusual negative forces (from family, church, school, communities and government) often live prosperous, monogamous, generous, dignified, contributing, law-abiding, creative, nurturing, meaningful, exemplary lives.
3. The dysfunction and immaturity of the homosexual community has deep roots in the long history of the relentless scapegoating tendencies of religious and governmental institutions. One can find numerous examples of majorities denigrating powerless small minority communities during times of great societal change. Our time would be no different and homosexual people would continue to be sacrificed on the altar of ignorance, fear and xenophobia were it not for the scientific and sexual revolutions and today's information age. We have learned from science and reason that we are, in fact, full human beings just as we are in need of no reform or therapy other than the exorcism of the internalized homophobia instilled into us by a misinformed society.

Homosexuals have only recently begun the work of establishing a place for ourselves in which we can live free from the stunting influence of rigid ideologies which have taught us to hate our very nature. Addictions, whether sexual or drug related, are a challenge in our community not because we are disordered or flawed human beings but because we have too long been treated that way by those we love, respect and follow during our formative years of youth.

I hope you will rethink your beliefs on this matter, for homophobia causes much suffering to Gays and Lesbians, especially in youth. Just as with the widespread deep conviction, not too long ago, that argued slavery as natural or tomatoes as poisonous or the left-handed as wicked, the belief that homosexuals are fundamentally the same as rapists and alcoholics ought to be abandoned.

It takes courage to stand up against orthodoxy. Too many cowards lead our country these days and use their power irresponsibly for selfish ends. You have a responsiblity to your students, for by promoting homophobia as okay and acceptable you make it easier for them to do violence against others they perceive to be gay, you make it easier for schools to expel their students when their parents are discovered to be gay, you make it easier for murderers to get away with the 'gay panic' defense, you make it easier for gay youth to believe their lives are worthless.

There are so many wonderful people around you right now that are likely gay. If you remain unchanged in your outlook, what would you have done with them? If you still believe homosexuals to be immoral people, I would be interested in knowing how complicit you would be in opposing homosexuals and their struggle for acceptance, understanding, compassion and equality.

Would you allow a mob to evict homosexual couples from your neighborhood? Would you stand by silently if 'out' teenagers were sent to special camps where they could undergo reeducation? Would you gladly accept legislation barring homosexuals from government jobs including teaching positions? Would you happily point out your homosexual family members and coworkers if legislation passed demanding that all homosexuals wear a pink triangle?

Finally, history shows that once societies step onto the path of scapegoating and dehumanizing a group of people, that path leads only to more and more repulsive places. So I ask, one last time, if you remain unchanged in your views even after my letter, to what places would you follow the path of homophobia upon which you so willingly, rationally and openly walk?

With earnest sincerity,
Seamus7