PrCSS Clippings, continued from page 3
Sounds good. It seems rational and liberal, and it attacks Helms and defends Hunt, so it
must be right, right?
Wrong, according to a subsequent letter (10-22) from John D’Emilio (10-22), author of
Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities, and professor at UNC-Greensboro: “It is difficult to
decide which is more deplorable — the Helms campaign’s use of the ‘queer’ issue, or your
editorial in response to it.
“There is nothing ‘shameful’ in being linked with the issue of gay rights, nor is it a ‘slur’ on
Jim Hunt’s character to suggest that some gay men and lesbians are supporting his campaign.
“The only slur in Claude Allen’s remarks is one against gays, and the shame is that the News
Record doesn’t realize this. Progressive politicians, such as Jim Hunt claims to be, and
progressive newspapers, such as the News-Record, should be quick to defend the
constitutional rights of any scape-goated group, rather than distancing themselves by running
for cover.”
Despite the editorial’s headline, there is no parallel between the words “racist” and “queer.”
The proper parallel is “racist” and “homophobe.” There is nothing wrong with being gay. If
someone calls you “queer,” your response should be, “That’s ;gay,’ and so what if I am?” But
anyone who calls you a “homophobe” is putting you in the same category as Adolph Hitler, the
New York Times, and Jesse Helms. And that’s a slur.
Right Reverend, and Wrong Reverend
Another pair of letters appeared in the Wilmington Star. The first (9-4), from Wayne
Barkley, minister of Wilmington’s First Assembly of God Church, asks a simple question (as
befits a simple mind): “How can anyone professing to follow the Bible speak of a ’homosexual
church’ or (God forbid!) [N.B.: Barkley’s “God forbid,” not mine — I would not presume to
ask God to forbid anything] even consider having homosexual ministers?”
A response came (10-3) from Rev. June Norris, of St. John’s MCC in Raleigh: “I was
saddened by the letter from Wayne Barkley, which would advocate forbidding homosexual
Christians a place to worship. I am also saddened that similar attitudes within many
denominations have necessitated the need for a separate church.”
Norris poses a few thought-provoking questions, in response to Barkley’s thought
stultifying one:
“I believe the history of the many divisions among Christians speak clearly to the fact we all
do not place the same interpretation upon many Biblical passages. Else, why would there be
400 denominations instead of one?
“When the Good News of Jesus is given to homosexuals and the fruits of the Spirit are
manifested in their lives, then who are we to argue with God?”
No Laughing Matter
Always the erudite fascist, William F. Buckley, Jr., defends his right to tell fag jokes in a
nationally syndicated column (9-7) that appeared, among other places, in the Gastonia, NC,
Gazette, the Mount Airy, NC, News, and the Columbia, SC, Record. Buckley admits that he’s
told a few jokes about homosexuals, wonders if he did wrong, and (surprise!) decides he didn’t.
For a column about humor, it’s oddly unfunny. Buckley doesn’t tell a single gay joke. It’s a
continued on page 19
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