Nathan Carleton's column, "Gay? Not Fine By Me," adds a fresh perspective to the movement that swept through campus last spring. I admire him for taking a position is as courageous as it is politically incorrect and inflammatory.
Unfortunately, instead of functioning as a gateway to a thoughtful debate on individual rights, Nathan's column contains the same flaws he criticizes in the "Gay? Fine By Me." movement.
Carleton argues that the shirts, and hence the idea behind them, attack homophobia, presumably, therefore, infringing upon his right to be homophobic.
He further discusses the allegedly trumped up charges of violence against homosexuals and postulates that activists plead for sympathy in order to gain support. I think, however, Carleton misrepresents the intentions of "Gay? Fine By Me."
In my understanding, the movement was not aimed against people with "deviant" morality--in this case, Nathan Carleton. Its intent was merely to show support for a community which has been "othered" by generations of societal prejudice and fear.
In no way did the movement inhibit anyone's right of expression. Had he felt so inclined, Carleton could have printed and distributed "Gay? Not Fine By Me." shirts the following day. Instead, he simply had to confront mass support of homosexuality within the Gothic Wonderland. For one day, perhaps, he felt the same marginalization that homosexuals combat every day of their lives.
Evidently, this qualifies as mind control and violates his right to religion. This begs the questions: Is it for us to judge moral from immoral? Are we really the bringers of God's justice or do we merely pretend to be? I present that while religion does not ask us to judge, it does command us to accept other people and their differences.
In the near future, we will decide what rights homosexuals have. Hopefully, we can all be as courageous, candid and bold as Carleton and speak for what we believe is right, but ideally, no one should feel threatened during the process.
Carleton is entitled to his opinion, and I to mine, but I cannot remember the last time a well-meaning advisor told me my heterosexuality wasn't my fault or said I was immoral for being straight.
George Gilbert Trinity '06
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