TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY & HOMOSEXUALITY

Thanks for the excellent article by Rich Arenschieldt about the Bush administration's apparent lack of interest in helping those with HIV/AIDS [“Fallout,” December]. Unfortunately, this lack of interest appears to permeate administration policy and extends to other issues affecting gays, too. It is clearly a warning that gays must unite as never before and let their voices be heard.

As we must realize, the Texas Republican Party, and to a major extent the national Republican Party, do not care a fig about gays. They have cozied up with the Christian Right, which basically views gays as something less than human.

We need only to look at the official Texas Republican Party platform, printed on their website (www.texasgop.org/library/RPTPlatform2000.pdf) to see where Texas Republicans stand on AIDS and gays. Also need we forget that our state is where the current Bush administration was born?

Under the heading of “Strengthening Families and Promoting a Freer Society” (which obviously does not mean a freer society for gays) is the following:

“Homosexuality.” The Party believes that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.”

Unfortunately, this type of hate rhetoric may well be what underlies “compassionate conservatism” today. This platform actually seems to say that killing gays is perfectly OK and should not be prosecuted. If this is their idea of compassion, let’s just hope they don’t get even more compassionate in the future, whether it be AIDS they are dealing with or guaranteeing gays their basic freedoms.

Claude M. Gruener

Austin, Texas

OUR FAR-FLUNG READERS

I was so moved by the Ram Dass interview [“Holy Man Sighted at Gay Porn House,” April 2001], and the candid, open tone of the interviewer. Thank you for your wisdom and honesty.

Rifka Kreiter

City to come

Editor’s note: Alan Davidson interviewed Ram Dass. Alan will report on another of our community’s significant spiritual leaders, Soulforce founder Mel White, for an upcoming issue.

The outdated desire of men to control the actions of others is a history whose time has come. Sexual preferences are just that. What you choose to do sexually, as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others, is no less God given than the right to bear arms. It is amazing how the mentality of men allows us to kill in the name of God, but not to love. As a society of men and women, what do we believe should be the rule? Our lives are continually defined by nonsexual old men who can’t even control their own lives. Why do we as citizens continue to fund the lives of these so-called purveyors of justice, whose only clear aim in life is to arm, maim, and kill? We as citizens deserve the right to love in any manner that we deem desirable, and again, that does not infringe upon the rights of others.

Laura J. Richardson

Claymont, Delaware

CLARIFICATION

In the December issue, we reported that the AIDS Housing Coalition of Houston closed in 2002 [“Share the Wealth”]. Matt Locklin, executive of the nonprofit group, has since announced that the coalition, which indeed ceased operations in July, has reorganized and now operates the West Heights Shelter for individuals living with HIV. Rodney Mills is the new president of the organization. The coalition information: AIDS Housing Coalition of Houston, Inc., 502 West 24th Street, Houston, Texas 77008, 713/864-1795.

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