Sexual
Orientation

     A very controversial subject in the study of tolerance is sexual orientation. Many people grow up believing that homosexuality is a topic suitable for jokes and that homosexuals are a group to whom it is not only fashionable to be intolerant, it is also expected. Today, students use the word "gay" as a derogatory term, much the way smaller children use the word "stupid." Take a few minutes and write in your journal an honest reflection of your personal feelings about homosexuality and homosexuals. Dig deeper and try to discover what in your life has helped you form this perception.

    So, how does this type of intolerance get started and how is it fueled? In many ways. Certainly, religion has a role. Many people cite the Bible in their defense of intolerance toward homosexuals. So what does the Bible say about homosexuality? Read about it.

    And how do other religions of the world treat the subject of homosexuality? Read about it.

In your journal, write about the readings. Include comments on what you already knew, what you learned, and what surprised you most. Also be sure to include legitimate questions that you had while reading.


Case Study 1:
 

Matthew 
Shepard

    Perhaps the most widely known victim of intolerance toward homosexuals is Matthew Shepard. Matthew died a senseless and brutal death at the hands of two men who believed that Matthew's sexual orientation was wrong. More than that, they felt a responsibility to send a message to Matthew and all homosexuals that their sexual orientation was inappropriate and would be met with violence.
 

                    Matthew had been lured from a campus bar ...
                        tortured, beaten ...
                    while he begged for his life ...
                    tied to a split rail fence ...
                    unconscious and suffering ...
                        18 hours.
                    His face was caked with blood ...
                        partially washed clean by tears.

                    12:53 am ...
                    12th October 1998 ...
                    Matthew died.


Learn more about Matthew Shepard's death and life: read about it.


Reaction 1

The Milgram Experiment: A lesson in depravity, peer pressure, and the power of authority

    The aftermath of the Holocaust and the events leading up to World War II, the world was stunned with the happenings in Nazi Germany and their acquired surrounding territories that came out during the Eichmann Trials. Eichmann, a high ranking official of the Nazi Party, was on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The questions is, "Could it be that Eichmann, and his million accomplices in the Holocaust were just following orders? Could we call them all accomplices?"

    Stanley Milgram answered the call to this problem by performing a series of studies on the Obedience to Authority. Milgram's work began at Harvard where he was working towards his Ph.D. In his study, two individuals show up for his study. They are taken to a room where one is strapped in a chair to prevent movement and an electrode is placed on his arm. Next, the other person who is called the "teacher" is taken to an adjoining room where he is instructed to read a list of two word pairs and ask the "learner" to read them back. If the "learner" gets the answer correct, then they move on to the next word. If the answer is incorrect, the "teacher" is supposed to shock the "learner" starting at 15 volts and going up to 450 volts, in 15 volt increments. The "teacher" automatically is supposed to increase the shock each time the "learner" misses a word in the list. Although the "teacher" thought that he/she was administering shocks to the "learner", the "learner" was actually a student or an actor who were never actually harmed.

    At times, the worried "teachers" questioned the experimenter, asking who was responsible for any harmful effects resulting from shocking the learner at such a high level. Upon receiving the answer that the experimenter assumed full responsibility, teachers seemed to accept the response and continue shocking, even though some were obviously extremely uncomfortable in doing so.

    Today the field of psychology would deem this study highly unethical but, it revealed some extremely important findings. The theory that only the most severe monsters on the sadistic fringe of society would submit to such cruelty is disclaimed. Findings show that, "two thirds of this studies participants fall into the category of ‘obedient' subjects, and that they represent ordinary people drawn from the working, managerial, and professional classes (Obedience to Authority)." Ultimately 65% of all of the "teachers" punished the "learners" to the maximum 450 volts. No subject stopped before reaching 300 volts!

    Milgram also conducted several follow-up experiments to determine what might change the likelihood of maximum shock delivery. In one condition, the touch-proximity condition, the teacher was required to hold the hand of the learner on a "shock plate" in order to give him shocks above 150 volts.

    The most amazing thing to note from this follow-up experiment is that 32% of the subjects in the proximity-touch condition held the hand of the learner on the shock plate while administering shocks in excess of 400 volts! Further experiments showed that teachers were less obedient when the experimenter communicated with them via the telephone versus in person, and males were just as likely to be obedient as females, although females tended to be more nervous.

    Milgram's experiment has been repeated in Australia, South Africa and in several European countries. In one study conducted in Germany, over 85% of the subjects administered a lethal electric shock to the learner!

    The Milgram Experiment suggested that anyone is capable of killing someone as punishment for their actions.

    Now, consider the following from your previous reading:

           "While Matthew lay dying in hospital, just a few miles away, a group of students from Colorado State University thought it would be funny to ride atop a homecoming float that featured a scarecrow figure designed to resemble Matthew's battered body. The figure was wearing a sign that said "I'm gay." An obscene message was painted across the back of the scarecrow's shirt. The students didn't mean to be insensitive. It was supposed to be a joke. They were just ordinary, average guys, having a bit of fun.

What does Milgram's experiment have to do with this insensitive act?
Write about a time when you were insensitive to another person. Was this a person you knew well or not at all? What are the implications of our relationships and proximity to the people whom we mistreat?

To learn more about the Milgram Experiment and to see the shock generator, read about it.


 
 The 
 Funeral

        On October 16, at St. Mark's Church in Casper, Wyoming, Matthew Shepard's funeral was held. Inside, the Reverend Anne Kitch addressed the crowd:

          Do not let your hearts be troubled, Jesus says. How can we not let our hearts be troubled? How can we not be immersed in despair? How can we not cry out against this? This is not the way it is supposed to be. A son has died. A brother has been lost. A child has been broken, torn, abandoned. We become lost in a turbulent stream of emotions. Grief. Anger. Guilt. Fear. Shame. Outrage.  Bewilderment. Loss. Our hearts are deeply troubled. They cry out, No. No. No. Not Matthew. Not now. Not this way.
        

            We come here today to mourn Matt. We come here today to offer our broken hearts. We come here today in the name of love. Because ultimately it is love that binds us to Matt: the love of a family. Matt's family is like any family, sharing life, family meals, arguments, games, Christmas trees. We come here today, in the name of family love. We gather in this church, in the name of God's love. Because in the midst of this horror, in the midst of this hateful crime, Christ's love abounds.
           

While the mourners huddled inside and around the church, in a parking lot across the street there were protesters:
 

These protesters are from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas. The church's leader, pastor Fred Phelps, leads a congregation whose activities include the following:

            WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, NO NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, etc.
        

            Perceiving the modern militant homosexual movement to pose a clear and present danger to the survival of America, exposing our nation to the wrath of God as in 1898 B.C. at Sodom and Gomorrah, WBC has conducted some20,000 such demonstrations during the last nine years at homosexual parades and other events (including funerals of impenitent sodomites, like Matthew Shepard). WBC teams have picketed major fag parades in San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., Miami, San Diego, Dallas, Orlando, Kansas City, etc.  The unique picketing ministry of Westboro Baptist Church has received national attention, and WBC believes this gospel message to be America's last hope.

            First, our goal is to preach the Word of God to this crooked and perverse generation. By our words, some will repent. By our words, some will be condemned. Whether they hear, or whether they forbear, they will know a prophet has been among them. It is the solemn job of a believing Christian to preach the Gospel to every creature, and warn them to flee from the wrath to come.
                       -obtained from www.godhatesfags.com

Because Matthew Shepard is a high profile example of intolerance toward homosexuals, Phelps and his congregation continue to use Matthew's example to spread their message of hate. When asked why he preaches hate, Phelps replied,

            Because the Bible preaches hate. For every one verse about God's mercy, love, compassion, etc., there are two verses about His vengeance, hatred, wrath, etc. The maudlin, kissy-pooh, feel-good, touchy-feely preachers of today's society are damning this nation and this world to hell.
          

Be warned that the following link is disturbing, but as with any form of intolerance, it is necessary to come face to face with it to understand its total implications. The web site of the Westboro Baptist Church keeps a running tally of the days they believe Matthew Shepard has been in hell. In addition, they have created what they call a "gospel memorial" for Matthew.

Your Reaction

Compare and Contrast the information that you have studied. There are an infinite number of ways to do this, and the following are only suggestions. You are encouraged to develop a direction of your own.


Case Study #2
 

 James
 Dale

 

    James Dale spent 12 of his 27 years serving the Boy Scouts of America. He started as a Cub Scout and worked his way to the rank of assistant scoutmaster. In 1990, the Boy Scouts of America expelled him after learning that he was gay. Devastated, but steadfast with the integrity that the scouts instilled in him, Dale fought. For over eight years he has fought the decision in the courts. Follow the link to an interview with James Dale.

    Though Dale was successful in having the initial New Jersey decision overturned, the case then went to the United States Supreme Court and was overturned again:
 
               (NEW YORK, June 28, 2000) —The United States Supreme Court, in a disappointing decision Wednesday, overturned the New Jersey Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that denied the Boy Scouts of America an exemption from that state’s anti-discrimination law in order to bar gay members. 

            Said Lambda Senior Staff Attorney Evan Wolfson, who argued the case before the High Court on April 26, “The Supreme Court today said that Boy Scouts of America has a right to discriminate, but the Court did not say that discrimination is right.”

            Added Wolfson, “Like other kids, gay youth deserve the opportunity to participate in valuable programs like Scouting, and those who actively support the Boy Scouts must now work to end discrimination and send a message of fairness.”

            In overturning last year’s New Jersey Supreme Court ruling, the High Court sided with lawyers from the Boy Scouts of America who insist that, despite the organization’s large size, unique government entanglement and claim that it is open to all boys, BSA may exclude gay kids and adults from participation.

            Lambda has represented Dale since 1990, when at age 19, he was expelled from membership after Scout officials discovered he is gay. Lambda is the nation’s largest and oldest legal organization for lesbians, gay men and people with HIV/AIDS.
                                 -obtained from lamdalegal.org
                                                                                           

In his interview, James Dale mentions a Boy Scout currently working to change the policy of the BSA. This boy's name is Steven Cozza. Steven is an Eagle Scout currently. When he was 12 years old, he became so upset at the BSA's exclusion of gays that he decided to act. He began a petition drive to overturn the policy. The number of signatures is nearing 80,000. He also co-founded a group called Scouting For All. This group has grown to become international in its scope and works toward the exclusion of no one from the BSA. Read about Steven Cozza's work.

In what ways does intolerance of homosexuals manifest itself in your school?
List three ways in which tolerance can be fostered in your school community.

Related Reading: A Gay Gene?
 
    In 1993, scientist Dean Hamer published a paper in the journal, Science.  The paper, titled "A Linkage Between DNA Markers on the X Chromosome and Male Sexual Orientation" carried enormous implications: Homosexuality was not a choice. Rather, it suggested that homosexuality was determined by biological factors, not unlike the biological factors that determine such things as eye color. Read about it.

    Of his initial paper, Hamer said, "Rarely before have so many reacted so loudly to so little." Why do you think the suggestion of a "gay gene" would cause so many people to react? What would be the implications if it were ever proven that such a gene exists?


A Final Test


         A Final Thought

    Homophobia and intolerance is alive and well and, perhaps, there is no larger stage for this than in our nation's schools. Take a look at your school's codes and policies. Consider making a proposal to your school board that issues of tolerance be included in your conduct and discipline codes. Ask your guidance counselors and principals what they do to be sure that everyone in the school feels safe and unthreatened. Encourage them to assess their own attitudes about people who are different from themselves. Request that your guidance department have books and other information for students struggling with sexual identity issues. Remember, the world itself rests upon the breath of the children in the schoolhouse.