"Discrimination must end"

by Chuck Stewart, Ph.D.

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Record Searchlight, Redding CA, April 25, 1990

Letter to the Editor

Homosexuality is both natural and normal. The preponderance of research that led to the 1974 decision by the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its registry of mental illness and subsequent research concluded that: at least 10% (closer to 20%) of all humans are homosexual, all mammals exhibit significant homosexuality and that a persons sexualitywhether homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual is most likely genetically determined.
The key phrase in the above paragraph is "preponderance of research." George Gunn's letter of April 24 is typical of persons who try to use "research" to prove their religious beliefs that homosexuality is a perversion and that AIDS is God's punishment. The researchers quoted by the religious right are very very small in number and are not affiliated with any reputable institution. Their research techniques are questionable because of their usual close association with a particular religious organization.

Most Gay people are not seeking affirmative action legislation, just equal protection. Currently, most states have laws that discriminate against homosexuals, specifically in the areas ofsex, employment, housing, property ownership, taxes, etc. Likewise, the Federal Government has prohibitions against homosexuals in the military, secret clearances, Immigrations, taxes, etc. But to quote these sources as a justification for continued discrimination is not to validate them. Civil Disobedience as practiced by ACT-UP follows a long tradition of non-violent protest. Ghandi, Martin Luther King and the Vietnam protesters were effective at informing the general population about a social injustice. Although most Gay people do not participate in protests, these actions are part of a total process that will hopefully remove discriminatory practices against Gay people.
It bothers me that the Record Searchlight would give space to George Gunn for his editorial. Yes he has a right to his opinion, but to publish his opinion is to help validate them. Does the Record Searchlight print editorials that support the ideas that women should not have the right to vote, or that women are not equal to men, or that blacks are genetically inferior to whites, or that all blacks should be segregated and sent back to Africa. No, it does not and most probably because it has decided not to support bigotry. Regardless of what the percentages are or what "research" shows, it is the discrimination against a specific group of people that is bigotry at its worst. Attacks on homosexuality and Gays and Lesbians is bigotry and should end.

In the past 8 months, I have attempted to organize a Gay men's rap group through Shasta County Mental Health Services and the local AIDS foundations. I was not successful. Gay's and Lesbian's are terribly oppressed in the Redding area. Not only are there no support organizations, but the religious right has various "conversion" programs on-going in the area. You cannot convert anyone to be either homosexual or heterosexual. No reputable psychiatrist will even suggest such a process, yet this and other heterosexist ideas are what are continually bombarded to the Redding area residents through their churches, newspapers, etc.

I highly suggest that the Record Searchlight take a strong editorial stand and not support ANY form of bigotry including editorials that condemn Gays, Lesbians and homosexuality.