NOTE: This letter is not “homosexual propaganda.” In fact, I, for one, am coming out as straight … but not narrow. Thus I feel obligated to respond to the gross misconceptions and stereotypes presented by Mr. Vymyslicky last Friday, regardless of whether or not his writing is sincere.

First, Mr. Vymyslicky’s portrayal of gays is grossly misinformed, probably resulting from negative portrayals of gays in the media as sex-crazed and stereotypically effeminate. This portrayal may also result from not knowing any openly gay individuals on a personal basis. The gays that I know would not be likely to discuss sex with boys in the ludicrous manner suggested by Vymyslicky; the diminutive (Brucy Baby, used to poke fun at gays), is simply ridiculous. Additionally, some gay men lisp, but so do straight men and women. I used to lisp as a kid, but like I said, I’m straight.

There is relatively little threat that a ten- to eleven-year-old child will be confused, distraught, or lose his innocence as a result of having contact with a male role model who happens to be gay, provided that that male is open and supportive. In fact, it is much more likely that these threats would occur within the presence of heterosexuals.

Attacks on childhood innocence by gay males are relatively unlikely. Most pedophiles are heterosexual males who are aroused almost exclusively by children, not typical gay males, who are generally attracted to adult males.

When and why does a person typically become gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered? I’ll admit that environmental factors have major effects on our sexuality. However, completely discounting possible genetic and biological foundations of sexual orientation as “unacceptable” reflects close-mindedness and irrationality. Biology, genetics and evolution are a wee bit more complex than anything likely to be covered in Mr. Vymyslicky’s 7th grade biology class. Researchers have established that, probably due to a variety of combined factors, sexual orientation is established from an early age (sometimes as early as kindergarten), and that we have little or no control over that orientation.

Within this context, it is important to consider how values and role models impact people. If the supposedly eliminated values that Vymyslicky so emphatically mourns are anything like those that I have seen in some families, they can hardly be called “family values.” Homophobia in families establishes relationships of fear, hatred, secrecy and rejection rather than the confidence, love, openness and acceptance which should form the true basis of any family values. Suicide rates in LGBT teens are much higher than for heterosexual teens, not because these orientations are inherently evil, but because these individuals are isolated and/or encouraged to internalize self-hatred by most of the major institutions of our country: family, church, school, media and yes, government. Talk about confusing and confounding impressionable young minds. This is the true offense.

Perhaps if LGBT children did have more open and supportive role models of any sexual orientation, they would be better adjusted. Maybe if our definition of family extended beyond it’s current biologically reductionist, monocultural meanings, we would consider social, psychological and cultural factors. We would have more extended families with rich networks of supportive, loving members. We would have families with openly non-heterosexual parents who could provide love and guidance, regardless of their children’s orientations. Such guidance would not be recruitment for an “army of homosexuals.” Come to think of it, most of the sexual recruiting that I notice is done by heterosexuals who try to “enlist” LGBT individuals into the straight reserves.

Let’s also look at Mr. Vymyslicky’s portrayal of government and see if we can get the story straight (no pun intended). Maybe government is evil, but Vymyslicky’s characterization of the U.S. federal and state governments as ultraliberal is a farce. If a Republican majority in the U.S.Congress, an attack on affirmative action and immigration, erosion of environmental legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, the training of Latin American dictators at the School of the Americas, in Fort Benning, Georgia, not to mention state laws against gay marriages and various consensual sex acts constitute an ultraliberal government, I’m afraid to see what is considered moderate.

In conclusion, if we all focus more energy toward practicing and celebrating human rights, compassion, love, equality and recognition of unity in cultural and sexual diversity in both our social lives and in our institutions, perhaps true threats to values and the well-being of every person can be truly avoided.

Michael R. Pitula

Junior

Environmental science and Spanish