Dear Editor
Thoughts on ‘Same Sex Marriage: Boys With a Blow-Torch’
On reading James R. Harrigan’s above article last week (5th April), I was disappointed with some of the language used and surprised that this language had made it through the editing process. The main culprit was the following: “There was a time, in case some homos don’t know, ….” Whatever the writer’s views this language is wholly inappropriate.Earlier in the text the writer had also likened people who are gay to ‘reprobates’, again, quite unfortunate.
Another part of the text which bothered me was the assertion that “no one is ever born a homosexual. It is a conduct that is chosen; it is a behavior that is cultured. …, it is a matter of fancy for an alternative lifestyle.” While the writer should be free to express his personal views this is one that is not quite backed up by scientific research or plain common sense. Firstly, there have been many studies that support homosexuality being genetic. One such study from 2005 showed the same genetic pattern among gay men on three chromosomes -7, 8 and 10 where chromosomes 7 and 8 are linked to male sexual orientation. In view of this, if you believe in God and that he created us all in his own image and you hold anti-gay sentiments, in a way you are also arguing that God created millions of mistakes along the way – wouldn’t that equate to being anti-God in some way.
However, probably the most perverse argument is that homosexuality ‘is chosen’ and ‘a matter of fantasy for an alternative lifestyle’. Firstly, a huge majority of people who are gay will state that they knew they were gay from an extremely early age, way before they were aware of what an ‘alternative lifestyle’ might be. And secondly, if this ‘lifestyle’ is one that is chosen, why choose a lifestyle which, in many countries, would lead to being openly oppressed, discriminated against and in many cases having to live their lives secretly in the knowledge that if they were found out they would be prosecuted and jailed by the laws of their own country? This has led to many gay men and women taking the ultimate step of resorting tosuicide.Many countries in the world have laws against homosexuality – prosecution leading to prison from a few years to life and in a handful of countries it could lead to the death penalty.With this in mind, the view that being gay is something that is ‘chosen’, and ‘fantasy for an alternative lifestyle,’ would, on reflection, seem truly bizarre.
(Name withheld at writer’s request)
