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Letter on homosexuality prompts many responses

Writer's views don't reflect those of most residents

Re : Homosexuality is about morality, not civil rights or discrimination , letter by James M. Hammond, May 1.

I am so embarrassed that James M. Hammond's opinion on homosexuality might be misconstrued as a majority opinion of the residents of Dunedin. I count among some of my friends and neighbors two gay couples and several singles who are active, contributing members in our community.

Please express my sincere apologies to all gays in Dunedin who might have read this letter and assure them that the majority of the residents in Dunedin support Mayor Bob Hackworth and are proud of the diversity and open-mindedness in our community.

A couple is a couple regardless of sexual orientation and should be afforded the same rights as any heterosexual couple.

As an educated lawyer, it seems that Mr. Hammond would be more tolerant of those with differing lifestyles. He should do us all a favor and take his morals somewhere else.

Being gay isn't a choice, and it isn't about morality

I was so amazed by the May 1 letter written by James M. Hammond about homosexuality being a moral issue not a discrimination issue. It simply amazes me that in 2006 there are still people who think being gay is a lifestyle choice.

Mr. Hammond states that we as a community wish to see homosexuals liberated from the lifestyle. Mr. Hammond was created to be who he is just as gay people were created to be who they are. His statement is so prejudiced and he cannot even see it. If he thinks that a gay person is gay by choice and can just stop being gay, ask him to stop being straight and start to be gay.

Mr. Hammond has the right to his opinions. He has the right not to be around gay people, but he had better watch his own moral convictions when he comes down on Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth for his strength and pride in doing what is morally right. I do not know the mayor and I do not live in Dunedin, but I can see he is a man of conviction and I admire that strength. Dunedin is a fun and diverse community and I always enjoy visiting there.

Mr. Hammond had better remember there is only one who should be judging others, and it is not him.

Don't look to Bible to support antigay views

A recent letter writer considers homosexuality to be an issue of morality, not one of civil rights or equality. He does not cite his basis, which I assume to be the Bible.

The Bible exists in multiple versions, multiple translations of ancient documents written many years after the "facts" reported therein and based on assorted recollections passed down through generations in an era of abysmal ignorance, compared to today, and widespread superstition.

The ambiguity and contradictions in these documents and their widely varying interpretations have led to a multitude of religious denominations and, in turn, to hatreds and bloodshed that continue today. The newly authenticated Gospel of Judas contributes to the confusion. One widely accepted interpretation permitted and condoned the practice of slavery. I hope the previous writer did not consider that to have been moral, despite its presumed Biblical endorsement. Bias against homosexuals is no less immoral than slavery.

Human beings were not created with a cookiecutter. We exist in a wide variety of colors, shapes, IQs, personalities and other characteristics including sexual orientations. Those who accept the Bible literally must believe that the differences were intentionally so designed by their deity.

In the light of modern knowledge, people of reasonable intelligence and education agree that homosexuality is not a matter of choice, to be turned on or off. It is biologically determined. The gay community is a credit to our society, as exemplified by many distinguished people in all walks of life who have dared to "come out of the closet" despite a continuing stigma in the eyes of some others. Homosexual people are completely normal and deserve all the rights and privileges enjoyed by other worthy people.

P.S. The writer is heterosexual, a widower following a happy traditional marriage.

Christians must love all, despite their behavior

The response to James Hammond's May 1 letter reflects the division in this debate. I only hope that in the debate, we can better understand both sides to realize why there is such a gulf between the two groups.

As we step back, I think it would be helpful for those who attacked Christians in their responses to understand that as Christians, we didn't create the moral standards that form the pivotal point of this debate. Instead, we are following the teachings of the Bible.

At the same time, Christians are called to love all people, while at the same time not condoning behavior that the Bible speaks of as immoral.

Homosexuality is a trait some are born with

Re: Homosexuality is about morality, not civil rights or discrimination, letter, May 1.

I am appalled in this hopefully enlightened day and age to read the above headline. Has the letter writer not read the irrefutable, scientific evidence that homosexuality is an inborn proclivity, not a matter of choice? To indicate, as he did, that it is merely a part of "the latest pop culture fad" or a "trend" is absolutely ludicrous and almost laughable if the subject were not so serious.

I also find myself indignant and angry that the word "morality" is so casually thrown about, often by the same people who should perhaps look within their own lives before "casting stones." Again, statistics bear out that the incidences of pedophilia, spousal abuse, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement, adultery, etc., all have a far greater preponderance in the heterosexual population than in the homosexual population.

How interesting that some of the very leaders of this so-called "morality" of which the letter writer speaks have been caught in their own webs of deceit... leaders like Jerry Falwell, Jim Bakker and, just recently, Rush Limbaugh.

The only thing I agree with is the writer's statement that "our cities need leaders with backbone, character and the willingness to stand up for moral values." Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth has clearly demonstrated those characteristics, and I applaud him!

Private bedroom activities are no one else's business

I challenge James Hammond to prove that homosexuality is a choice and not a hard-wired trait one is born with. Who would choose to be homosexual, knowing it would put them in the line of ignorant prejudice, discrimination and narrow-minded thinking such as displayed by Mr. Hammond? Everyone is different and should be free to be who they are without fear of retribution.

I am not homosexual, and I believe that sexual orientation, like skin color, is a trait we are born with. However, even if I am wrong and it is a choice, so is religion a choice. Does Mr. Hammond suggest it is okay to discriminate based upon religious preference? Some people consider religions other than their own immoral, which is nothing more than a narrow viewpoint.

So long as one's sexual practices are consensual with one's partner, or even partners, it is no one else's business. Sexuality is a private matter and needs to be kept private. Just like heterosexuality, no one wants your sex life thrown in their face. I don't care what you do in bed, so long as you don't force it on anyone else.

If you are not harming others, you should not be discriminated against. If you don't like homosexual behavior, don't participate in it. If someone else does, it is none of your business.

Heterosexuals have character flaws too

James Hammond, apparently an elitist heterosexual, sure likes to hide his bigotry in his words. Strength, morality, backbone, etc., are words that can define many humans. Heterosexuals certainly do not have a monopoly on good character.

We see constant harassment, cursing, philandering, rudeness, greed, on and on, coming from people. Most of them seem to be heterosexuals. We could be wrong, but most of those people fighting in drunken brawls at the Bucs games don't appear to be gay, but you can't really tell without knowing more.

I admit my bigotry toward bigots. The other bigots need to admit their "impurities" as well and get away from judging others.

[Last modified May 8, 2006, 02:45:39]