Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 17th, 2007
One entry found for homophobia. Main Entry: ho·mo·pho·bia
Pronunciation: "hO-m&-'fO-bE-&
Function: noun
: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals
Today is IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia – and Exodus International President Alan Chambers has blogged that he is a supporter. He, after all, is “not homophobic.”
However, to come to that conclusion Mr. Chambers has to use an outdated and very limited definition of homophobia: fear or hatred of homosexuals. But homophobia is part of the family of traits-based bigotry and the more accurate definition is easier to understand when compared to its siblings: racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Catholicism.
I love Negros, especially my maid, but I think they just aren’t mentally sophisticated enough to vote.
I don’t fear or hate Jews — I work with many at the studio — but I just don’t want them buying a house in my neighborhood.
Catholics are fine but I couldn’t vote for a one, they answer to Rome not the American public.
Women are just too emotional to be in charge of making executive level decisions.
None of these statements show hatred or fear, per se, but each of them demonstrates bigotry that was at one time socially acceptable in this country. Each displays an attitude of superiority and a willingness to discriminate against others — in many instances to go in violation of the principles of our Constitution or the Christian notion of equality before God. And all are now recognized as abhorrent and evil.
Bigotry, you see, goes beyond hatred and fear. It incorporates a willingness to discriminate or enforce on others an inferior station in life. And every dictionary I consulted included within it’s definition of “homophobia” a component of discrimination.
And Alan has proven over and over to be willing to support discrimination.
When HR 1592 sought to give sexual orientation the same protections in regards to hate crimes as race or religion, Alan opposed the bill and falsely claimed, “This legislation says that we, as former homosexuals, are of less value and worth less legal protection now than when we were living as homosexuals.” (actually, the bill would assist law enforcement for crimes committed against Alan because of his ex-gay status). Alan held a press conference with other opponents in which he claimed “We’re going to see Christians persecuted for their beliefs, for simply stating that they oppose homosexuality.”
When legislators sought to change the Constitution to forever exclude gay citizens from the benefits of marriage, Alan championed the cause, arguing “Marriage has become a counterfeit means of validation to the small percentage of ‘gay’ men and women who are fighting to co-opt it.” He traveled the country, including a trip to the White House, in an effort to ensure that gay persons could not marry.
In March of this year, General Peter Pace declared that the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy should remain in place because “homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts,” Alan immediately jumped to Pace’s defense saying “General Pace’s comments were true and firmly rooted in his upbringing and faith.” When cornered on whether he (unlike the vast majority of this country) believes this discriminatory policy should remain, Alan’s response was quite telling: “I am not sure where I stand on gays serving in the millitary. I think the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy is a passive one.”
In fact, I could not find a single instance in which Alan did not support bigotry and discrimination against gay people and their lives, dreams, and relationships when it was proposed. Perhaps there is some instance in which Alan has said, “That goes too far.” But if so, I’ve not found it.
So while I agree with Alan that, “I still see true homophobia at work each and every day,” I would suggest that Alan take a hard look in the mirror and ask himself whether that might be where he sees it.
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