Comment on homosexuality

[Tabouli]

No: HPFGUIDX 28273

I question my wisdom on entering this fray, but a couple of thoughts...

John:
> Moreover, even if the legal age for homosexuals were 16, the
reaction from certain sectors of society (particularly American society) would be
> vitriolic at best.<

Hagridd:
> the language of the post was not neutral

Well no, strictly speaking the language in John's post wasn't neutral, as Hagridd says.  It was also, strictly speaking, off-topic (as is this message I am writing).  Age of consent *was* recently discussed on OT-Chatter, and I suspect the moderators would prefer any further discussion of the topic to move there.  All the same, John's observation is accurate.  In parts of most societies homosexual people experience prejudice, invisibility and physical violence as a result of their sexual orientation.  Many choose to conceal their orientation for this reason, sometimes even engaging in false heterosexual relationships and having children as the best way of hiding it (which can ultimately cause extreme trauma to all parties involved, as I have witnessed myself).

For someone who is homosexual, or who has friends and/or relatives who are homosexual, it's distressing to think that you yourself, or someone you care for, is constantly in danger of being harassed, attacked or excluded for something which, assuming consent, causes no physical harm to other people.  This is the context into which I would put John's comment.  I think it's not unreasonable to resent groups within society who victimise and demonise you or people you care about.

I know that some people find homosexuality offensive on religious or cultural grounds, but surely inflicting pain and prejudice on people (no matter what their lifestyle) is just as immoral.  What happened to "hate the sin, love the sinner"?

Tabouli.


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