ken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (09/18/84)
--
With all this talk about "hey, he had some valid points",
Let's not get too awed by Arndt's insightfulness. Taking all
that timely and useful info on AIDS as completely true, clearly
a guy who can use the word "teleology" in a sentence correctly
should be able to distinguish some behaviors of some homosexuals
from the essence of homosexuality. The fact that the causes
of AIDS and homosexuality are both unknown does not make them
equivalent. Can you pronounce the word "spurious", Ken? Good.
Watch the spelling though--only one "r".
Yet, when you cut through Arndt's homopobia, ad hominems, and wet dreams
over Sophie Quigley's breasts, what's left is a surprisingly altruistic
plea. Let me see if I can state it so you don't feel like putting your
fist through the screen:
Lots of casual sex, by members of any sex, is an epidemiologist's
nightmare. Yes, "even Pekingeses in the Ritz do it", but whirlwind sex
is perceived as the alpha and omega of gays' existence by the ever
growing right wing. (I take Ken's word for that, too.) So, gays
are going to get blamed for all sorts of bad things, and it will get
worse as the diseases get worse and/or gays get more visible. You
don't think so? There's more of a link between gays and AIDS than
there was between Jews and Germany's post-WWI economy. All it takes
is a little despair. Add a tablespoon of political crisis and one
demagogue. Shake well. The people needs a scapegoat. Always has.
So, Ken seems to be worried that the message of "gay pride" hasn't
been focused well enough to reassure him and his friends that the pride
has to do with the OK-ness of homosexuality, not casual sex. AIDS is
very scary, and if it becomes salient in the straight community, a lot
of fear-crazed people may come looking for a very easy answer. Ken
would rather not be muttering "I told you so" as he hides you from a
lynch mob or its all-nice-and-legal-like, first-we-try-'em-then-we-
hang-'em equivalent.
There is an urgency in Arndt's (and other homophobes') postings that
needs to be addressed. Homosexuality is *threatening* to these
people, and they'll fight it. What can be done?
--
*** ***
JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** *****
****** ****** 17 Sep 84 [1ier Jour Sans-culottide An CXCII]
ken perlow ***** *****
(312)979-7188 ** ** ** **
..ihnp4!ihuxq!ken *** ***