.
University Daily Kansan / Friday, April 28, 1989
5
A response
The two responses to my letter opposing gay
and apparently missed some others.
my points and apparently missed some others.
Both Whitehead and Becker say the logic of my position demands that I oppose or "deli-
gitimize" heterosexual marriages that do not or could not result in procreation. This claim is, of course, not true. I did not suggest that pro-
creation should be an option for marriage. My point was that procreation is only one of several ways in which gay婚
marriage is fundamentally different than more traditional marriage. These fundamental differences are not necessarily a reason to oppose gay marriage, but they do indicate that the
projection definition not a simple recognition of marriage.
Yes, I am well aware that family-like situations are possible in a gay relationship. I did not specifically mention that point because it is irrelevant.
Becker has a point that it is possible to infer from one sentence in my letter the suggestion that gay relationships always result in a less stable and living environment than heterosexual marriages. That was not the impression I intended to convey and I didn't state anything quite that extreme. I agree with Becker that some gay relationships are indeed more stable and loving than some heterosexual marriages. I was only trying to emphasize that between two biological parents can be a source of love and life ability in marriage. Moreover, these which are not essential to marriage, are nevertheless impossible in gay marriage. And in that sense, gay marriage is fundamentally different than traditional marriage.
Becker seems to agree that there can be no legal difference between endorsing gay marriage and endorsing marriages regardless of "sexual orientation." In such an environment, marriage and divorce laws would become a farce. "Sexual orientation" clearly includes some activity that society should not be forced to approve.
Becker asserts that legal approval of every non-heterosexual relationship is a "right." But that really is the heart of the issue. Should public officials issue marriage licenses and preside over marriages no longer in the state or on behalf of the individuals? If we accept that proposition, the State would become an accessory in at least some "marriages" whose main purpose is sexual indulgence. The State should not accept such a role. Non-endorsement of gay marriages deny gays any way to get it, just denies that legal marriage is a right.
the essence of this issue is not what can society accept as a family. Rather, it is what can society endure as a male and female heterosexual marriage because of a male and heterosexual marriage not because of any hate or fear of
gay individuals, but because gay marriage would inevitably damage the traditional family and would place the State in an unacceptable position.
Ben Casad Lawrence senior
Bible quoting
I felt sick and disgusted after reading the letters in the April 18th Kanan. I thought that this was an institution of higher learning; a place to broaden our minds. But these letters were completely narrow-minded. What made it worse was that all these people proclaimed their stance to be liberal and all claimed to be homophobic, when anyone could read could see them, and the worst kind of mobiliaries. They are the type that rationalize and, I hesitate to say, intellectualize away their fears. It is these people, and people like them, that I wish to address.
Specifically, I would like to address the letter that was the hardest to stomach. In this letter, Carma Paden begins by telling us that she is not homophobic, not offended by people who are homosexual, and even by her heart, has a fraternal sexual relationship. She then opens up Bible verses to attempt to support her claim that homosexuality is unnatural and a sin.
in particular, she quotes from Leviticus. However, she conveniently leaves out of her argument the sins listed in the 22nd chapter of Ezekiel that call for God's judgment, which include violations of sexual relations found in church rituals, and which found in moral violation rather than a breaking of ceremonial taboos. Singled out are incest, adultery and intercourse during menstruation; homosexual acts on the other hand are not mentioned at all. And Galatians 5:19-21 describes those who say they belong to the kingdom of God in a way, nothing about religion is mentioned, but "quarrels, a contentious temper, envy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissemblies, party intrigues and jealousies" are mentioned — and all are sins that seem to be very prominent in the average church-going, bible-throne, population. People who are seldom the subject of sermon topics setting forth God's judgment; it is much easier instead to make scapegoats of people who are gay.
Arthur Satterfield
lawrence graduate student DJ blues
From May 1986 to September 1888, I was known to KJHK listen as "Mr. Blues." After submitting my resignation last September, I continued to watch with interest and amusement the various forms, letters to the editor and other officials in the board of directors, right up to the Finance Committee's informal investigation of KJHK conducted this spring.
On April 17, the Seante passed resolution No 189-320 recommenting that the board of directors be comprised of three voting faculty members, three voting student members, three non-voting student members and three non-voting members who are the student
station manager, the faculty advisor and a student elected from the KJHK staff. Looking back at the past nine months, I find myself wondering what was accomplished and am reminded of and old Monty Python sketch that incorporated the text into it did. The sketch and the message is in a box over there. Eccce hoom, crgo elk." Allow me to explain.
Although the Senate resolution encouraged increasing the composition of the board of directors by three members, the actual voting ratio of the board would remain the same; namely, three student and three faculty positions. And as Finance Committee co-chairman Pat Warren pointed out in the April 18 Kansan, "(the) Senate had (has) no power of enforcement so KJHK could choose to ignore the resolution." So what was accomplished?
You still won't hear the works of William S. Burroughs, Gil Scott-Heron or the Dead Kennedys on FM 90.7. Those artists' albums are still (supposedly) locked away in Blake Anne Abbott's rest of the album so that part purported from KHRS in fall 1988. So what accomplished?
Those students who were not rehired or were relieved of their positions this spring at KJHK still don't stand much of an improved chance of ever regaining their posts at the station. Whether or not they were discriminated against, it is unfortunate that they may now have to consider transferring to another university if they wish to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. So what was really accomplished?
William A. Siebenaler Lawrence resident
On the whole not much, although hopefully more of you reading this article are now increasingly aware of the discrete forms censorship can take. The beast is still alive. The point is lost. The albums are locked away and in a box over there. Kace Mister, ergo Blues.
We applaud the actions of Donald Strole, the Lawrence attorney defending minor-in-possession charges. He may be able to send a signal to the Lawrence Police Department that they do not belong in bars or fraternity parties on a clandestine search for underage drinkers.
Bar patrol
Although we are not Lawrence taxpayers, we are outraged by the use of tax dollars for undercover searches of Lawrence drinking establishments. Not only does this infringe the rights of those arrested, as Strobe pointed out, but it makes police of the streets where they belong.
We in no way support underage drinking or the problems associated with it, but we are tired of reading articles and reports in the Kansas about fathers masturbating in front of sorority houses, the percentage of women we have been raped and a rash of shells in Lawrence.
We challenge the Lawrence Police Department to enforce the rule for petty offenses and to enforce the rule for some real crime.
Scott Bingaman
St. Louis sophomore
Bill Kovack
Harrisonville, Mo., junior
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