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During the past few weeks, I have either witnessed or heard about a number of comments aimed at gays and gay organizations. None were positive. It seems that the impetus for this barrage of remarks was a campus-wide phone announcement regarding the first GALA meeting
of the year. Evidently, some members of the community took the phone message as a personal invitation and felt the need to express their concerns about gays on campus
and gay organizations. I am responding to those concerns and others that I have encountered over the past three years.
There is a misconception on this campus that GALA is only for gay and lesbian students and that if a person is a member of GALA then that person must be gay or lesbian.
The reality is that GALA is an organization that supports gay and lesbian concerns. Therefore, it is open to any and all supporters of gay and lesbian concerns, and in fact a number of the members are straight allies.
This leads to the question, aren't the gay members out to convert all of the straight members of GALA and of the entire campus? To most rational, open-minded members of campus, this question sounds absurd. The truth is that it is as impossible to convert a straight person as it is to convert a gay or lesbian, leading to the belief that
gays and lesbians choose to be "that way". Who in his or her right mind would choose to be part of a group of people that is constantly degraded and insulted and who, as of yet, do not have full protection under federal
law, or the right to marry, the right to decide a spouse's medical care when critically ill, or any other right that everyone else takes for granted?
Now that we have established the fact that being in GALA does not mean being gay or lesbian and that the gays and lesbians are not out to convert the world, let's turn to the
concept of homophobia. The definition of homophobia goes far beyond the literal translation of "fear
of gays". It includes hate, fear, disgust, gay-bashing, derogatory comments and any other actions that are degrading and intended to harm or intimidate gays and lesbians. While some will argue that it is their right to feel any way they want about gays, it is not their right to
discriminate or harass. I will grant that a person has a right to say he or she does not like gays. However, realize that that, too, is part of homophobia.
The problem is not that there are gay and lesbian members of the Ursinus community. Rather the problem is that people are unaware and in some cases closed-minded. And I think that it is time to remedy that.
-Alison Heely
Class of 1996
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"Close-Mindedness is the Real Problem." October 3rd, 1995.
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Alison Heely
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The Grizzly
Publisher
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
diversity
GALA
Gender
GSA
inclusion
LGBTQ
sexuality
Ursinus
-
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History of the GSA
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Two weeks ago Dr. Nagy submitted an article to The Grizzly concerning gay and lesbian issues both on campus and elsewhere. There are two issues that we would like to
address concerning this letter. First, Dr. Nagy implied that homosexuality was a choice, that people like to "experiment with alternatives to the Judaeo-Christian standards for sexual behavior," and that people can be
"advised" to choose alternatives to that sacred standard.
Homosexuality is not a choice. Nor is it a mental or sexual disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It is a sexual orientation that is present innately in some people (current research suggests
10% of the population), just as heterosexuality
is the orientation of the rest of the population. Much of the "good" and "bad" tags which determine "normal" behavior are socially determined by religion or tradition, and have no underlying logical basis. Imagine, for instance, if you are heterosexual, being deported to a society where the vast majority of people engaged only in homosexual relationships and thought it was sexually
deviant and disgusting to engage in sexual relations with a member of the opposite sex. Even if you were forced
to live In such a society for the remainder of your life, you would neither have any desire to engage in a homosexual relationship nor learn to have the desire to engage in such
a relationship. This is because you never learned your heterosexuality to begin with, just like homosexuality
it is an inherent orientation and by no means a choice.
One objection to this model would be that such a society would never exist, since heterosexual intercourse is the only way to propagate the human race. While this is true, some 90% of the population is of heterosexual
orientation, a figure which throughout time has not and will not fluctuate greatly. Since it is just as impossible for a heterosexual to become a homosexual as it is for a
homosexual to become a heterosexual, homosexuality poses no threat whatsoever to the propagation of the human race.
Second, Dr. Nagy also felt that persons harboring anti-gay sentiments were being " intimidated into silence" by gay and lesbian support groups such as GALA. On the contrary, a far greater attempt at silencing is made by the anti-gay community toward homosexuals. We can not exaggerate the number of people on this campus who subscribe to the motto, "Don't ask, don't
telL" Other common remarks made in relation to both homosexuals and GALA include: "Don't flaunt It," "Don't let other people see," "Keep it out of the public", and "For God's sake, don't put posters up or advertise
your meetings!"
Such remarks are not only prevelant here, but are
representative of the general treatment of homosexuals throughout the country. People are telling the
homosexual community to be quiet, they are threatening them with violence if their behavior or orientations
are made public. They are stigmatizing homosexuals in such a way that many are afraid to "come out of
the closet" for fear of being ostracized as a result of their disclosure.
However, heterosexuals experience none of this discrimination, and GALA or any other gay and lesbian
organization has not and will not ever participate or condone such discrimination toward heterosexuals.
We ask you, Dr. Nagy, who is really being silenced?
Anne-Marie McMahon
Chris Bowers
Class of 1996
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"Homosexuality: Not an Alternative." October 24th, 1995. (Rebuttal.)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Anne-Marie McMahon refutes Dr. Nagy's argument that
"homosexuality is not a good alternative." She argues that sexual orientation is not a choice, but rather an innate preference. She writes that the stigma that depicts homosexuality as negative is socially-constructed.
Creator
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Anne Marie-McMahon
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The Grizzly
Publisher
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
Format
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pdf
Language
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English
GALA
Gender
LGBTQ
sexuality
The Grizzly
Ursinus
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I read The Grizzly from cover to cover (I do skip some sports, sometimes - sorry Charlie) and would like to say " Bravo" to the students of Ursinus and to Mark and Marc for providing the forum of self expression. The subject matter of that expression really doesn't matter. The passion, maturity, and aniculate style which comes across from students who care about issues does matter. In a world that deals us a new absurdity every day, it is uplifting and heartening to witness the brave and caring students of Ursinus.
Sincerely,
Barbara Lehrman
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newspaper article
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Title
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"A Parent's View." November 7th, 1995.
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edit
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edit
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Barbara Lehrman
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The Grizzly
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
Format
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pdf
Language
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English
Type
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opinion article
1995
debate
free speech
The Grizzly
Ursinus
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Title
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History of the GSA
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To the editors of The Grizzly,
Okay, I would just like to say three simple words, "Get off it!"
The debate that has raged on in The Grizdy over homosexulality has gotten OLD!
Is there no other news in this world? Even OJ. Simpson reports would be better than this.
Dr. Nagy and his supporters have their opinions. Everyone else has their own opinions.
My suggestion is wise up. You can't force your beliefs on other people. They will end up resenting
you for it. Grow up!
Thank you,
Caroline Kurtz
Class of 1998
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"Enough is Enough!" November 7th, 1995.
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Caroline Kurtz
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The Grizzly
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Ursinus College
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1995-1996
Format
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pdf
Language
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English
Type
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opinion article
debate
Gender
sexuality
speech
The Grizzly
Ursinus
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History of the GSA
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Last Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in Wismer parents' lounge there was a campus forum on the topic of free speech which seemed, in my opinion, to reach the following conclusions from faculty and students alike:
I. The difference between ' hate speech' and ' intelligently expression your opinion ' can not be determined.
2. If a difference can not be determined, then a difference does not exist. Therefore, there is no difference
between ' hate speech' and 'intelligently expressing your opinion.'
3. Therefore, if any action is to be taken to restrict ' hate speech' then the same action must be taken against 'intelligently expressing your opinion' since they are the
same thing.
4. Therefore, no action should be taken against 'hate speech' for 'intelligently expressing your opinion' is 'one of the principles which our country was founded on' .
Frankly, I found this absurd. How could an intelligent group of faculty and students assert that 'hate speech' does not exist? How could an intelligent group of faculty and students assert that the difference between one form of communication and another form of communication can not be determined? If the difference
between various forms of communication
can not be determined, at least in a working sense, then communication would be impossible.
How could I understand what you were saying if I could not tell it apart from anything else you were saying? What?
The forum then, in my opinion, went on to another near- consensus conclusion that even if 'hate speech'
(what?) did exist then gay bashing (what?), racial slurs (what?) or overtly sexist remarks (what?) should be allowed because they do not infringe upon the first amendment rights of those they slander. I found this equally absurd. The only way rights can be infringed is not
merely through segregation, physical violence and the denial of certain jobs, even though those forms of discrimination continue to exist. Psychological violence and discrimination in the form of language or images exists and can be shown to exist. Further, they can be shown to be more damaging than other forms of discrimination. I do not have the space to justify these statements, but it can be shown that ' hate
speech ' falls into the category of psychological violence and discrimination and needs to be restricted if equality is to be achieved.
I believe that it is absurd to say that a working defintion of ' hate speech' can not be reached and that the damaging and discriminatory effects of ' hate speech' can not be determined. While I have not proven either of these assertions, I did not have enough space to do so. I will attempt to do so in future letters. Until then, let us try to keep the campus forum on this manner alive, for more discussion is needed and while some of us believe that people do not have the right to express certain phrases, all of us believe that everyone has the right to debate
whether or not you should be allowed to express certain phrases.
-Chris Bowers
Class of 1996
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"Intelligently Expressing Your Opinion?" October 10th, 1995.
Subject
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Chris Bowers responds to a forum held in the Wismer Parent's Lounge about distinctions between "free speech" and "hate speech." Bowers reports that the forum concluded that hate speech cannot be easily distinguished from expressing one's opinion and thus should not be banned or punished. Bowers counters the position of the forum by stating that hate speech demeans people's identities, promotes violence, and acts as a form of discrimination. Bowers encourages additional debate on the topic, urging the campus to keep the forum alive.
Description
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edit
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Chris Bowers
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The Grizzly
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
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pdf
Language
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English
Type
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opinion article
civil rights
freedom of speech
hate speech
homophobia
racism
The Grizzly
Ursinus
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Friends:
Though I do not wish to engage in an extended acrimonious debate with Dr. Nagy, I would like to set the
record straight on a few points: 1. 1 did not call Or. Nagy a "narrowminded bigot." He rightly points out that since I
have no "psychic insight" into the number of right ways to love he thinks there are, I can 't conclude that he
thinks there is only one-- so I will not draw that conclusion.
I stand by the statement that it is bigotry to advocate discrimination against people on the basis of sexual
orientation -- just as much as it is bigotry to advocate discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, or religion. At this time, I have no reason to believe Dr. Nagy advocates that.
2. I said that the biggest thing that causes unhappiness in the lives of gay people is prejudice and discrimination directed at them by bigots. I did not say that this is the only thing that could create unhappiness for a gay person.
People have problems of a variety of sorts, regardless of sexual orientation.
3. Obviously in the United States, gay men are disproportionately afflicted with A.I.D.S., and that is a
tragedy. But why argue that they should change their basic sexual orientation, which essentially cannot be
changed? Argue instead against promiscuity and unsafe sexual practices. Note that in other parts of the world,
A.I.D.S is as prevalent in the heterosexual as the homosexual population.
Note, too, that in the U.S. the category of people least likely to be affected by A.I.D.S is exclusively homosexual women. If A.I.D.S-avoidance is a reason to eschew a particular sexual "Iifestyle," wouldn't all heterosexual
women be better off becoming lesbians?
4. I did not say that "most adult homosexuals
lack the ability to control their behavior." We all have little control over the objects of our sexual desire. I suppose that all of us are capable of controlling sexual behavior and living a celibate " lifestyle." But why? Physical intimacy and giving of mutual pleasure with someone you love is one of life's great joys. Why should it be available only to those deemed sexually correct?
5. I certainly do not agree that adulterers and pedophiles have no ability to control their behavior. And I Consider those acts wrong for reasons other than the nature of the sexual desire involved.
But finally, what is the point of debating whether or not it would be a wise decision for a person to choose
to be gay? That just is not how it works.
Gay people simply are, and have always been with us.
What I am arguing is that no one should be denied civil rights on the basis of sexual orientation. Nor should people be shamed and made to feel "wrong" because of it.
Sincerely,
Gina Oboler
Anthropology & Sociology
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"Dr. Oboler Responds." November 7th 1995.
Subject
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edit
Description
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edit
Creator
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Dr. Gina Oboler
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The Grizzly
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
Format
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edit
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
opinion article
1995
Gender
Grizzly
LGBTQIA
Ursinus
-
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6c56878ab4883998f2a1628729fee572
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Title
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Ursinus Remembers
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Lantern - Winter/Spring 1967
Description
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Two student submitted pieces exploring the public's treatment of returning veterans.
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G. Miller and Barbara Ann Bald, respectively.
Source
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The Lantern
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Ursinus College
Date
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Spring 1967
Format
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Student submitted pieces.
Language
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English
1967
Lantern
Student
Ursinus
writing
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Title
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History of the GSA
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Title
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"Homosexuality is a Choice." October 31st, 1995.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Jennifer Ruprecht states the opinion that "homosexuality" is a "choice," arguing that the Christian Bible deems it a sin.
Creator
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Jennifer Ruprecht
Source
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The Grizzly
Publisher
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
Format
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pdf
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
opinion article
choice
Christianity
homophobia
LGBTQIA
morality
sexuality
The Grizzly
Ursinus
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To the Editors:
In the last issue of The Grizzly, Dr. Nagy made many comments without providing any tangible basis, always a poor writing strategy. He also attacked many different
angles of homosexuality. So many, that I am limited to responding to just one.
I would assert that love, commitment, and intimacy are at the base of both homo- and heterosexuality. Surely his notion that heterosexual marriage is the only good choice is based on those three values. Hopefully, any long-term sexual relationship is built on qualities such as maturity, love, and commitment.
The love I share with my boyfriend is in no way, shape or form different from the love shared between homosexuals that I have known. A relationship between two people takes time, work and commitment to develop and grow. Accepting this, it is impossible to condemn homosexuality without simultaneously condemning heterosexuality. Even if he chooses to bring up the matter of intimate homosexual relations, many acts characteristic of such relations are practiced and accepted by heterosexual couples as well. Aside from the fact that what people do in their bedrooms is their own business, the undeniable fact is that there is really almost no difference between homosexual and heterosexual relations.
I would hate to think that I am accepted by default, rather than on the merits of who I am or what I
think. Please, do not "respect" me because I am heterosexual; " respect" me for saying what I feel. Likewise, do not " respect" my friend because
he is gay; "respect" him because he is a witty and intelligent person.
-Robin Loiacono
Class of 1996
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Title
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"It is About Respect." October 24th 1995.
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Robin Loiacono
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The Grizzly
Publisher
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Ursinus College
Date
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1995-1996
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
opinion article
diversity
GALA
Gender
GSA
LGBTQ
Ursinus
-
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826f69449acb838256a9b134ab9dc8de
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Title
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History of the GSA
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As co-President of GALA, I cannot allow Dr. Nagy's letter to pass without comment. In it, he attacks GALA for trying to "intimidate" other members of the campus into silence and uses an incident that occurred years ago to emphasize his point. Let me first say, that l do not know about the situation Nagy referred to. I was not yet an Ursinus student. However, contrary to what Nagy writes, it is not a stated goal of GALA to intimidate anyone. But yes, we want to educate people, make the campus a more welcoming place for all diversity and make people aware that homophobia is no more acceptable than racism, sexism, religious intolerance or any other discrimination. Therefore, we do not try to silence reasonable and mature discussion on the subject, and I am appalled that any
professor at a liberal arts college would seek to dismiss and silence such discussion.
With that said, as a GALA representative I would like to make a personal comment. I notice that yet again we have returned to the Biblical argument to condemn homosexuality. I have two major problems with this use of the Bible. First, the assumption that the Bible
is or should be the moral standard for all people completely ignores the fact that there are millions of people in the world who do not recognize it as such, including some members of the Ursinus community. Secondly, it is incredibly easy to take Biblical passages out of context and give them whatever meaning suits a person. For example, the story of Sodom (Genesis 19) is often cited to say that homosexuals are condemned by God. However, the rape of the angels who visited Lot by the town's people gave no indication that the town's people were gay. Rather the rape, just as it is today, was used as a means of power and humiliation, and it is for this reason that the town was destroyed.
I think that people who point to isolated passages of the Bible to judge those who are different from them are missing the point of what is really being said. For those of
us who do look to the Bible for guidance, the message is that we are all sinners who need not to judge one another but should pray for the grace to follow Jesus' example.
He, by the way, never uttered a recorded word on the subject of homosexuality. Rather, He preached love and understanding.
-Alison P. Heely
Co-President of GALA
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I am writing this in response to Dr. Nagy's article in The Grizzly. I have been watching the comments and articles about homosexuality and homophobia come and go in
The Grizzly over the past few weeks and I have held my opinions to myself. However, when I saw Dr. Nagy's article, I decided I had to finally "come out" and speak up.
First, I'd like to address some misconceptions that Dr. Nagy and perhaps other members of the Ursinus Community have. I do not remember ever using the phrase "peer pressure" or "intimidation" in association with the eradication of homophobia. I do not see how
these things could be used in connection with the eradication of homophobia. I do know that GALA is trying to educate the campus on misconceptions of gays and lesbians and our lifestyle. I don't understand how education couId be seen as intimidation.
Another misconception that Dr. Nagy has is our state of happiness. When I read that he said that "most of those who experiment with alternatives to the traditional Judaeo-Christian standards for sexual behavior eventually make themselves and others miserable," I had to laugh out loud. I know that I have personally been a lot happier since I' ve come out and so have most of the other gays
and lesbians I know. The only time when I've seen people be miserable is when they know they' ll be treated with hatred and fear.
Then I considered Dr. Nagy's interesting choice of saying
"Judaeo-Christian standards." Does this mean he doesn't believe in the sexual behavior of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims or other minorities? It makes me sad that a supposedly educate professor at a liberal arts school is not willing to at least acknowledge a minority's rights even if he doesn't believe in them.
--Christopher Gaskill
Co-President of GALA
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
"Our Perspectives on Homosexuality."
Subject
The topic of the resource
edit
Description
An account of the resource
edit
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The Grizzly
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
edit
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ursinus College
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1995-1996
GALA
GSA
LGBTQIA
sexuality
Ursinus