Homosexuality seems to depart from nature’s system, but does it really when nature is mocked by a DNA structure of anomalies such as gender mix up as in the case of a transsexual, to the unheard extreme as the most recent in the death of the poor child with two heads? This is not to say that homosexuality is abnormal, although even now it is rare, since throughout history it was accepted more or less. The implicit anomaly simply springs from biology and the impedance of the reproductive process of sperm and egg, whence religion taunts them with the biblical dogma “go forth and multiply.”


On a societal plane, however, even reproduction is insufficient to condemn same sex relations in light of the development of artificial insemination [for lesbians], along with increasing numbers of unadopted orphans. Until the 70s homosexuality was deemed a mental disorder, until a study showed conclusively that gays — having no psychological hang ups over their preference — were as normal as straights and no more or less dysfunctional in society. As a result, nations such as Canada, Norway and Australia have incorporated homosexuals into the respective nation’s human rights act.


The current controversy here — despite growing acceptance of equal right for gays — is linguistics: whether to call same sex relationship of two union or marriage. Marriage in all intents and purposes does mean the melding of woman and man, but that is the first definition, whereas generically it means combining variable elements or commingling. Society still finds it difficult to face up to women’s preference in changing “mankind” to “humankind”; let alone in dealing with the cumbersome “his or her.” Frankly, Kerry has it right in refusing to accept the term marriage, and probably wishes that gay couples should quit while their ahead inasmuch as civil unions are recognized by several states. Their efforts should be to incrementally gain inroads in other states and if at all lobby against an amendment that will seal their fate forever as being different.


Moreover, the most practical solution to AIDS has been lost: fidelity among couples regardless of sexual orientation. Why in the world would the nation deny gays the same defense against promiscuity as straights have?

Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: February 8, 2004.