Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!csu-cs!denelcor!rob
From: rob@denelcor.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Resonses to MOTSS.
Message-ID: <145@denelcor.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Sep-83 23:30:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: denelcor.145
Posted: Mon Sep 19 23:30:18 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Sep-83 03:51:40 EDT
Lines: 36

Why haven't there been more responses by gays?  Two reasons:  many must
retain anonymity, and the original questions were addressed to heterosexuals.
When the topics drifted to side issues, the supportive response from straights
alleviated any need for gays to reply (with the attendant risk).  I received
a healthy amount of mail from gays on the net, so I know they are neither
few nor indifferent.

I was disappointed to see Jeff Sargent's latest article.  First of all, it
was obvious that he did not read the book whose content he was questioning.
In my review I even predicted that this would be the case.  Automatic
gainsaying is a very weak form of argument - the only people you convince by
this method are the people who already agree with you.  I have no intention
of replying to people who attack this book or its conclusions until they can
prove to me that they have read it carefully with an open mind.  The book in
question is "Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality" by Prof. John
Boswell (University of Chicago Press, 1981).  And yes, Jeff, he fully examines
both Romans 1:26-27 and Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13.

Secondly, he implies that his feelings, motivations, etc. are typical of those
experienced by emerging homosexuals.  Sorry to disappoint you, but we are *not*
frustrated heterosexuals.  I have always found my attractions to other men to
be stronger than my attractions to women, even when I was too young to care.
Neither am I talking of strictly sexual attraction.  Practically all of my gay
friends concur that their preference was apparent at a very early age, but that
social pressures caused them to sublimate their feelings, and to try to become
"normal".  Some even went so far as to marry, with unhappy results.  Although
I'm sure Jeff would beg to differ, becoming heterosexual would be as wrong for
us as becoming gay would be for Jeff.

Although his response was posted to this group by request, it really belongs in
net.religion or net.social.  Please send followups to his article, my article,
and any other gay-related article not dealing with the joys and sorrows of
singles, to the appropriate newsgroup.

				Robert Wahl
				...seismo!hao!csu-cs!denelcor!rob