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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 14. June 12 1978

Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers

What made us homosexual?

GOD TOLD ME HE HATES GAY BIRDS. THEY CAUSE WARTS AND EARTHQUAKES, ORANGE CROP FAILURES, SUNSPOTS, INGROWN TOENAILS CRABGRASS, URBAN BLIGHT..

No-one knows what makes people heterosexual or homosexual. Nor is it known just how heredity and environment contribute to developing sexual direction. It is of absolutely no importance anyway. Studies on homosexuals have usually been on psychiatrically disturbed people and not necessarily true indicators of homosexual feelings.

Should homosexuals be allowed to work with children?

Denying known homosexuals the right to teach or to be associated with children is another example of society's fear of homosexuality....its 'homophobia'. People think that we will molest children or at least expose them to 'perversions'.

It is not true that homosexual teachers or youth leaders are more likely to sexually approach the children in their care than are heterosexual teachers. We have worked with children and young adults in many fields for a long time. There is no evidence to suggest that there have been any ill effects from this.

On the contrary, because such contact could provide them with otherwise unattainable and valuable experiences, it would be beneficial.

Do homosexuals attempt to seduce heterosexuals?

It is not a common practice for homosexuals to attempt seduction of heterosexuals, mostly because they will be unsure of acceptance, and violent reactions come from those people who feel threatened by homosexuality. Chatting up need not be insulting or offensive.

Are all lesbians masculine?

Because many lesbians have rejected the traditional role of women and defined their lives in terms of themselves and other women and not in terms of men, their behaviour and personalities are often termed masculine. Lesbians who are accused of 'masculinity' are put down for being themselves and for not playing the traditional role of women. Lesbians do not want to substitute 'masculine' characteristics for 'feminine' ones, they seek the freedom to be themselves. Lesbians are women who love other women. They are not women who want to be men.

Do homosexuals hate the opposite sex?

It is often believed that homosexuals hate people of the opposite sex. However, many have both female and male friends Most homosexuals do not limit their friendships because of their sexuality. We do reject those who discriminate against our life style.

Are homosexuals "child molesters"?

Female children are much more often forced into sexual activity than are male children.

Acts of sex with children involving force are almost exclusively committed by adult males or teenage boys; women are very rarely associated with these acts.

The vast majority of sexual attacks on children are those committed by heterosexual men on little girls. The accusation that homosexuals are more liable to molest children than are heterosexuals is a myth. This libellous and totally unproven accusation is used by those who fear homosexuality and seek to discredit it.

Are there two types of homosexual: active and passive?

In our society the only model is the nuclear family with a sexually active man and a sexually passive woman. We have all been conditioned to accept this, and it is therefore not unreasonable for people in a homosexual relationship to believe that they should adopt this model as the basis for their sexuality. When we adopt such defined sexual roles we are denying part of our character.

We believe that sex is a shared thing, rather than one person being fucked by another. This enables us to form relationships which are more honest, equal and loving.

Is homosexuality unnatural?

No! Fear and prejudice have made people call it unnatural, however homosexuality exists in all societies and is accepted as natural by many of them.

RING AROUND THE COLLAR HURRICANES, DANDRUFF, CREEPING SOCIALISM, FLAT TIRES, SOUR MILK, TRAFFIC JAMS, TOOTH DECAY DUTCH ELM DISEASE, TENNIS ELBOW HANGOVERS...

Photo of a gay rights gathering

The main argument against us is that sex is only for making babies. Not True! Sex is good, enjoyable and natural in its own right; it needs no further justification.

Children enjoy sexual activities with other children of both sexes. It is only later that the majority of people turn off their sexual feelings because they are taught they are dirty or unnatural. Homosexuality and heterosexuality exist in varying degrees in every person, in every society, at all times. Whatever your sexuality — it is natural to you.

Is homosexuality condemned by the Bible?

Homosexuality is often quoted by Christians as being condemned by the Bible. In fact there are five references in the Old Testament and three in the New specifically related to homosexual activity. The main ones can be understood as refering to attempted pack rape and a breach of eastern rules of hospitality (Genesis 19), a condemnation of pagan fertility rites (Leviticus 18), a denunciation of loveless sex (Deuteronomy 21) and a warning against pseudo-homosexuality that was becoming fashion among some Christians at the time (Romans 1).

page 11

You [unclear: are] note that the Gospels, the very basis of [unclear: ristianity], do not ever mention homo [unclear: lity.]

Are [unclear: ther sustain] mothers and homosexual fathers?

Yes, [unclear: any] homosexuality have children. It should [unclear: be pointed] out that many homosexual [unclear: point] remain hidden for fear of losing [unclear: this] children.

FALLEN ARCHIES, ANT'S AT PICNICS, FLIES IN THE BUTTERMILK, POST NASAL DRIP, RECEDING HAIRLINES, SOGGY FRENCH FRIES SPLIT ENDS...

Are all [unclear: new] homosexuality effeminate?

Our [unclear: safety] puts down men who are sensitivity [unclear: ntle] and compassionate. Because of [unclear: the] many man have denied these qualities themselves to the detriment of their [unclear: own][unclear: notational] growth. Gay people generally [unclear: are] more aware of the value of these [unclear: qualities] and tend to express them more [unclear: real]. The emotions we are talking [unclear: about are] usually labelled as feminine and men [unclear: to] express them are labbeled as [unclear: effemina]. The label should be rejected, however, [unclear: cause] all emotion are human after all.

I don't [unclear: want] if you're "one of these" so long as [unclear: you] keep it to yourself and don't flaunt it.

What [unclear: we] see when we walk down the street [unclear: men] and women holding hands or arm in [unclear: the] girl cuddling and kissing their boy [unclear: friend] people wearing engagement and [unclear: honstrating] the right to flaunt their [unclear: hete][unclear: exauality].

The [unclear: most] for open sexuality is a very important [unclear: rt] of all our daily lives and why [unclear: should] group have the sole right to do this. We want the right to show affection [unclear: public] too, perhaps by holding hands or [unclear: ing] our loved ones. Why should [unclear: are] be offended by gestures of affection.

If being [unclear: honest] is proclaiming our homosexuality [unclear: when] we will do it; if stating our true [unclear: nature] flaunting it, then we will flaunt it!