foreign perspectives
So That’s Why They
Nepal, the foothills of the Hima
layas, Everest, the land of yak and
yeti...and the men: copper skin, white
teeth, strong, and smiling. The cul
ture: taboos against public display of
affection with the opposite sex. The
norm: sleeping together with friends
or relatives for lack of space and need
of warmth; usually of same gender.
The whole concept of homosexuality
is different. In the U.S.A. two men
holding hands in public is looked on as
awkward; arm-in-arm strolling is demas-
culinizing from the start. On the
Indian Subcontinent, friends walk down
the street relaxedly, unselfconsciously
holding hands or arm in arm. Certainly
this does not mean that these men, of
all ages, engage in sexual arousment
together; as in most western cultures,
the majority of the population are
’’straight," but for those that might
have the potential for expressing, more
intimately, their love for each other,
the circumstances are much more accom
modating.
It was a great learning experience
to have lived in so different an atmos
phere for two years of my life. After
some months of uncertainty, it became
easier to let go—let go of those
reservations and hang-ups I instilled
upon myself during those difficult
teens. So, if I really wanted to spend
the night with a friend then I’d say
so. He wouldn't be thrown by such a
suggestion, and would either answer yes
or no. A yes does not mean certain
glory,.but at least there’s that inbred
comfort in just being close and warm
with a friend. The stage is set for
further enlightenment, but it doesn’t
have to be pushed; it either happens or
it doesn’t.
The whole concept
of homosexuality
is different.
Now that I’m back in America, I
realize how much I’ve grown in the
years spent in Nepal. The word "grown"
might be misleading in that I almost
feel two year’s younger! I find it
easier to approach people—all people,
men and women. There has been a great
weight lifted off my back. There’s a
bit less anxiety and frustration about
taking that step to meet someone new or
broadening an existing relationship. I
don’t mean to say that a couple of
years in Nepal has fully metamorpho-
sized me into a frictionless go-getter,
but it's helped put me on the right
track.
Call It "Shangri-La
S9
I like to view this track as being,
unrestricted, limitless, free to go
where it might with as little of my
control as possible. The control of
gender preference is one of these
limits I’ve created in years gone by.
First, it was denying my attraction to
the male, and believing—or eminating
belief—that I yearned for the female
and then, after making the decision to
"come out," going 180® and saying the
opposite.
It’s best not to do either but in
stead to go with the spontaneity of
situations as they arise without limit
ing oneself to any certain category.
It has been my good fortune to live
amongst the friendly people of this
small kingdom. They are poor and live
simply with few amenities, and they
have shown me that there is more to
life and happiness than those life
styles and ideals that we are brought
up with in this, the U.S.A.
-Mark Dorfman
Who's Behind the Gay
Rights Movement?
The National Gay Task Force has pub
lished a new booklet which documents
wide-spread non-gay support for gay
civil rights. "Who’s Behind the Gay
Rights Movement? A Gay Civil Rights
Packet" offers a remarkable array of
evidence of the depth of support gay
people enjoy in the non-gay community.
Included are resolutions from profess
ional and scientific organizations,
non-discrimination statements from
major corporations, statements from
religious leaders, public opinion
polls, and quotes from other major
shapers of public opinion in America.
Statements are included from such
diverse sources as the Lutheran Church
in America, the Jos. Schlitz Brewing
Co., the American Associaton for the
Advancement of Science, Newsday, the
National YWCA, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, and more than 200
others.
This booklet is one in a series of
educational publications distributed by
the NGTF and funded in part by the NGTF
Fund for Human Dignity.
One copy is available for reading in
the CGA office. Additional copies are
available for $3.00 (discounts avail
able for quantity orders) from:
NGTF
80 Fifth Avenue
New York, m 10011