Letters
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Would it really have been better to
simply change CGlA's name and hide all
opposition? I don't think so. The
principles of democracy rest on the
theory that open debate of ideas
results in the best decisions. We need
to discuss what is best for our
community.
In my original article, I explained why
I did not believe that "bisexual"
should be included in the name of CGLA.
Several people have suggested that I
was not supportive enough of bisexuals,
and to those people I apologise. I
tried to be kind and supportive, but if
some felt insulted, then I wasn't
supportive enough. I did say, among
other things, that I thought that
"CGLA's membership and services should
continue to involve bisexuals," that I
have many bisexual friends whom I love,
and that I am making a point to educate
myself more on bisexuality. I wish the
writer of the above response had made
the same effort to respect my feelings
that I did to respect hers. I think
that the above letter is unnecessarily
harsh.
I want to remind readers that I was
simply arguing against a name change,
not to denigrate bisexuals. Some
people do try to insult and hurt
bisexuals. I am not one of them- -
please be careful not to attribute
their arguments or prejudices to me.
I think the best way to respond to the
substance of the above letter and other
criticisms is by reiterating and
clarifying my original argument. I
feel that the author above seriously
misunderstood my article. My argument
rests on two principles which I think
are Indusputable; (1) That society
oppresses Gays and Lesbians because of
their homosexual relationships, and (2)
That Bisexuals can be involved in
either Gay/Lesbian or heterosexual
relationships.
When bisexuals are involved in gay or
lesbian relationships they are
oppressed because of their sexuality;
when bisexuals are involved in
heterosexual relationships they are
not. CGLA exists to support
individuals who are condemned by
society because they seek or
participate in Lesbian or Gay
relationships, hance the name CGLA. I
am saying that the name CGLA by nature
includes bisexuals.
When bisexuals are oppressed by society
because of their homosexual
relationships I will fight with all my
strength to support them. However, I
don't think that bisexuals' rights are
denied by society because of their
heterosexual relationships--only
because of their Gay or Lesbian
relationships. Of course, I have and
will continue to support individuals
who are in heterosexual relationships.
Like everyone, they have plenty of
problems of their own--but these are
problems that can not be solved by an
organization like ours, because these
problems do not come from the hatred of
the dominant, heterosexual culture.
I'm not sure the above letter disputes
any of this. I'm not implying that
bisexuals are too weak to be gay--I'm
just saying they have choices in their
lives that lesbian and gay people do
not have. Bisexuals can choose to act
either on their heterosexual or on
their homosexual side; this is what
"bisexual" means and this is what
bisexuals have told me. I don't
dispute their rights to choose
heterosexual relationships or question
their integrity for doing so; some
argue that only a fool would choose to
be oppressed if she or he had other
options. I am simply saying that the
name of CGLA should reflect the reason
we exist--to end hatred of
homosexuality.
Finally, I would encourage the above
writer and all others to get involved
with CGLA. It's really easy to sit
back and criticize the people who do
all the work.
Editor's Note: Part of Kim Savage's
letter addresses LAMBDA'S editorial
policy--so allow me to explain that
policy. As a free speech organization,
we solicit articles representing a
variety of opinions, including those
that are contrary to the views of the
editorial staff. We edit for clarity,
grammar, and (rarely) length, but we do
not edit for tone or quality of
argument. The tone of an article is
often as important in communicating a
viewpoint as is the article's literal
content, and we expect readers to make
their own decisions regarding the
quality of the argument. LAMBDA
presented Pippa Holloway's original
article intact, with the hope that the
reader would Judge; in the same spirit,
we now present Kim Savage's letter and
Pippa Holloway's response.
Alan Berman, Attorney at Law
Personal Relationships
Wills and Probate, Real
Estate, Business and
Commercial Law
327 West Main Street
Durham, North Carolina
(919)682-2111
IL.