Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sdcatta.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!sdcatta!wa143 From: wa143@sdcatta.UUCP Newsgroups: net.motss Subject: NAMBLA, parents and homophobia Message-ID: <747@sdcatta.UUCP> Date: Sat, 21-Jan-84 12:38:40 EST Article-I.D.: sdcatta.747 Posted: Sat Jan 21 12:38:40 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jan-84 05:47:52 EST Organization: U.C. San Diego, CATT System Lines: 78 In reaction to all the NAMBLA flaming that's going on, I thought I'd add my two cents worth. I consider myself pretty open-minded, and I believe that two consenting people (regardless of age) should be allowed to do pretty much whatever they want in the privacy of their own homes. Actually, I suppose I'm a bit of an anarchist at heart -- I figure that "live and let live" is great, as long as you don't infringe on someone else's ability to do the same. My objection to NAMBLA thus has little to do with the man/boy interaction. I see NAMBLA as causing a problem to the gay community similar to the Soloman amendment and education. It ties two issues together that really should not be connected. NAMBLA is specifically MAN-BOY. Thus, the issue of homosexuality is brought into the matter of age-of-consent/pederasty/whatever. With homosexuality already disapproved of by society, people see NAMBLA and see primarily the homosexual aspect and the child-molestation aspect. A lot of people think homosexuals go around and molest children. The existance of NAMBLA as a gay oriented group really doesn't help the image much. My objection is that NAMBLA bring a seperate issue into the issue of homosexuality, regardless of what that issue is. [topic switch] Coming out to parents is a topic that fascinates me. I know some incredibly activist gay people who just about introduce themselves as "Hi, I'm so-and-so, gay activist." But they haven't come out to their parents, and some don't plan to. I find that amusing. My parents have always prided themselves on being accepting and liberal. I told them that I was gay, and my mother's reaction was "Oh, I'm probably bi myself, and just haven't found the right woman yet." My father seemed a bit uneasy, but both declare that they accept it completely. After all, I have a gay uncle and a gay aunt, so why SHOULDN'T they accept it? At the same time, I sense that they're really uncomfortable with the situation although they won't admit it. My mother seems to have an air around her of "well, someday you'll meet the right girl..." and my father just expressed great surprise when he found out (via a TV show on PBS!) that gays can have long lasting relationships. Fascinating. He figures for 18 years that, having been raised in a loving etc. environment, of COURSE I'll be able to last 60 years with a wife. But even after he knows I'm gay, he never considers that I, at least, could enter into a gay relationship that lasts longer than a week or two. Anyone know of any good books to recommend to them? I know that the best thing would be to talk to them myself, but I feel rather betrayed by their reluctance to come out and tell me that they're disturbed and don't feel comfortable talking with them about it. Of course, their reluctance COULD BE a figment of my imagination, so who knows? Anyone out there know anything about the origins of homophobia? I recently heard an explanation that claimed it was originally a political maneuver when the ?? (some religious group) was splitting from ?? (some other religious group), and homosexuality had been an accepted part of the first religion in certain rites and so on. It was first looked down upon as a symbol of the original religion, and later became a moral issee. I'm new to this list, so I apologize if I touch on subjects that have already been covered. C'est la via! Take care, "Scouter"