Homophobia harms everyone

I saw this letter to the editor on Sonoma News.com and enjoyed reading it. I thought that I'd share it with you. It gave me a good feeling inside.

Editor, Index-Tribune: Regarding recent letters on the topic of the "sin" of homosexuality, I wish to express my concern for the potentially grave psychological harm done by a narrow misunderstanding of the phenomenon of homosexuality, especially harm done to young people who happen to be gay, or who may be questioning their sexual identity. They who suppress others are also harmed.

Modern science has established that differences exist innately - that is, from birth - in certain brain structures between people who experience hetero- versus homosexual preference. Here the term "preference" is not to be confused with some kind of arbitrary "choice." I know that my attraction to the opposite sex is inherently a part of me; I could not change it if I tried. (I can't imagine making a "choice" that would cut so completely against the grain of my deepest identity, even if it were a popular choice.)

I am fortunate to have many gay friends, male and female, whom I love and value because of their creativity and because of the richness their differing perspectives on life and culture add to mine. Some, I'm aware, are as "hard-wired" in their "preference" as I am in mine; others are more ambiguous. My observation is that there is a continuum between the two poles, that some people have multiple or less well-defined orientations. Logic suggests that homophobia arises, at least in part, from the uncertainty that some feel because of their own internal ambiguity.

As to the theology of the argument, the Jesus who inspires me was a visionary, not a lawgiver, whose message was indeed one of love, humility and inclusiveness. Christian churches in these days are challenged by evolving scientific and social consciousness to address, however slowly and conservatively, issues of equality for women in church leadership and a realistic understanding of natural variant sexual identities.

May we all grow in wisdom and compassion.

Ted Sexauer