Thursday, March 4, 2010

Me Thinks He Doth Protest Too Much

Another closeted, gay, family values champion bites the dust. Larry Craig, Ted Haggard, James West (the former Mayor of Spokane, Washington)and now California State Senator Roy Ashburn.

Don't get me wrong - I have a great deal of compassion for people in their circumstances. We exhibit hatred, intolerance, fear and misunderstanding towards homosexuals, and have for many decades. Individual young men and women come to realize, as these men did many years ago - when the environment was infinitely more hostile, that they have the "affliction" that will render them objects of our hate and rejection. They hide. They attempt to control, or cure, or deny, or even merely understand their orientation. And these men in particular - went through this experience entirely alone.

There are various coping mechanisms. But a small number of gay people deeply internalize the hatred and loathing we display. In response, they appoint themselves champions of causes and groups that would wipe gays out of existence, if they could.

And they keep hiding - until the cannot hide any more.

We share most of the blame for this phenomenon. But they share some. Becoming a homophobic family values crusader is a choice, even for closeted gays.

I’m also wondering why the "crusader" gays are all men?

Joe H.

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