Newspapers / Fayetteville State University Student … / March 20, 1997, edition 1 / Page 3
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Broncos' \6ice March 1997 J OUR VOICES BI-LINES: An Introspective View on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues As we quickly approach a hauntingly mysterious millen nium, we find ourselves en gaged in ongoing political battles that continue to rock this nation with a lion’s fierce ness. And as civil wars rage on everything from abortion and welfare to the eternal quest for green men on Mars, it some times seems that old opposi tions have fallen aside in ex change for newer concerns that, surely, deserve more at tention. But appearances are often deceiving. Interestingly enough, is sues surrounding homosexual and bisexual lifestyles are still boiling to the top by way of heated political exchange. The list begins: Homosexual Edu cation in the Classroom, Same-Sex Marriages, Insur ance Benefits for Same-Sex Partners, Adoption, Gays in the Military, and continues to lengthen as homophobic para noids run into closets of their own seeking shelter, if not an swers, in the dark. But homophobia is noth ing new. Few people within the his tory of Western society have been more scorned, feared, and stigmatized than homosexuals. Many people seem to think that such behavior is strangely abnormal, ugly, and wrong. What needs to be understood however, is that as with hetero sexuality, gender identity and sexual preference of the homo sexual is also distinct. Most gay men and lesbian women have no confusion about their How CAN WE ENCOURAGE OUR KIDS TO HAVE DREAMS THEN DENY THEM THE MEANS TO ACHIEVE THEM.> For nine-year-old Carolyn Michel, the dream is to become a doctor. For the United Negro College Fund, that’s a dream too precious to let die. For more than 50 years, we've been helping bright, deserving students get the education they need to turn their hopes into realities. Please give generously. Your contribution could help someone like Carolyn make a contribution that benefits everyone. Call 1 800 332-UNCF United Negro College Fund. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. by K. Alex Dombronovich gender identity; they simply prefer partners of the same sex. Such a distinction from the norm of society ranted hostilities of the larger community, homosexuals must often live double lives, however, is not enough to classify homosexuals as abnormal. In 1973 even the American Psychiatric Asso- ciation officially removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders, thus endorsing the view that the choice of a sexual partner of the same sex is no more in dicative of mental illness than is the choice of a sexual part ner of the opposite sex. It is frustrating to see that the bulk of society adheres to the con tinual transference of a notion that homosexuality is an im moral act. Thus, due to unwar- “Few people within the history of Western society have been more scorned, feared, and stig matized than homosexuals. ” “gay” at home and “straight” on the job (another issue that rest assured, will find its way to this column). I implore individuals to acquire the truth, shift their public attitudes, and allow gay rights laws to fairly make their way to an open, public forum in America. After all, homo sexuals are no more alien than any of their heterosexual coun terparts. They are who they are - no different from you. They are college professors and pe diatricians, welders and writ ers, and politicians, entertain ers, attorneys and members of the clergy, cops and nurses and mothers-to be. They are proud - too. They are productive - too. They are indeed, America - too. Perhaps the most impor tant question of all is no longer whey we are the ways we are but rather to merely contend that we are, all of us, wonder fully different from one an other. Is that not, after all, our strength and our beauty? So in the spirit of humanness, which lends itself to the theoretic ideal of peaceful coexistence, we should seek not to reproach, but to engage, enlighten...and press on. Reprinted from August ‘96 Broncos Voice Edition. RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS y y- . ^ m ' SUMMER SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY TO THE TOP. If you didn’t sign up for ROTC as a By the time you have graduated from freshman or sophomore, you can still college, you’ll have the credentials of an catch up to your classmates by attend- Army officer. You II also have he ing Army ROTC Camp Challenge, a self-confidence and disciphne it takes paid six-week summer course in lead- |\0 to succeed in college and beyond, ership training. ARMY ROTC THE SMARTEST COLLEGE COURSE YOU CAN TAKE. For details, call Army ROTC, 630-7694/7693.
Fayetteville State University Student Newspaper
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March 20, 1997, edition 1
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