By LEE HOWELL
Politically Speaking

Some folks (especially those who happen to be gay or lesbian) might consider me homophobic — and, in some ways, maybe I am.

Now, I do not believe in bashing someone who happens to be gay over the head with a baseball bat.

Our Constitution does not discriminate between people because of their sexual preference, so no one has the right to go around beating up on folks because of who they might prefer to sleep with.

But, I consider myself a fairly traditional Christian; and, I have some fairly traditional Christian views about such things as homosexuality.

To be blunt, I consider it a despicable aberration in the way God meant things to be.

It is not a lifestyle I would choose for myself or wish upon anyone else.

If the truth be known, I wish it did not exist in the world today — and I certainly wish we never had to talk about it again.

Now, it is not that I do not like gay people: I have met some gay people whom I liked a great deal.

For instance, when I was in college, I was often in plays produced by the student theater group and I regularly came in contact with actors and support personnel who were gay.

Some close friendships were developed between us.

Because of those friendships, I went some places and became aware of certain lifestyle choices I might not otherwise have come in contact with.

(As my wife often notes disparagingly, I was not quite as sheltered as she about some things.)

But, I must point out that, like the friendships I share with black folk or Hispanics or whomever, these friendships did not develop between us because they were gay.

Indeed, I did not care what type of sexual relationship they preferred.

And, in all honesty, I would have just as soon not have known.

I still feel that way.

Basically, I guess I am a little Victorian in my lifestyle preferences.

There are some things that are — and should remain — private.

Not only do I not care with whom my friends sleep: I do not want to know.

That is the main thing which bothers me about the contemporary “gay rights” movement.

It seems to be arguing that its members deserve certain rights and privileges because they are gay.

As I listen to their rhetoric, I am particularly incensed that they would compare their “struggle” for gay rights to the historic struggle by blacks and other minorities to obtain their civil rights.

To my way of thinking, there is little or no comparison.

As I said before, our Constitution guarantees that every person will be free to exercise their rights as citizens — to vote, own property, rent or own a home, hold a job of one's own choosing, run for public office, etc. — regardless of their sexual preference.

And, most of the other matters which the “gay rights” movement says needs special consideration — such as whom to designate as an insurance beneficiary or whom to consider as a dependent on an insurance policy — are matter which could easily be solved by reasonable people using a little compassion and understanding in their dealings with others.

Our society would be a heck of a lot better off if we would revert to those days when we had a little modesty — and when we did exercise a little more common sense — about what we chose to discuss in the public forums.

Some things are truly private matters between consenting adults and should remain so.

[Lee N. Howell is an award-winning writer who has been observing politics and society in the Southern Crescent, the state, and nation for the past 25 years.]

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