notes on the gay/black divide, thoughts on biology/choice, and pics from a no on 8 protest

Dr. King, we have a problem. I REPEAT AGAIN: we cannot flinch from the gay/black fissure.

We've got to pray for grace. (Yes, I have been - if you must know.) But we can't shove it under the carpet.

A note on something that bothers me about this fight: A person in the piece linked above says:
"I was born black. I can't change that," said Culver City resident Bilson Davis, 57, who voted for Proposition 8. "They weren't born gay; they chose it," he added, reflecting a commonly held belief that many researchers dispute.

Thinking out of the box a weeeeee, little, tiny bit- regarding this choice/biology argument:

1. It is important and I am glad it is being researched. Homosexual behaviour among some members of a species is apparently quite normal in most vertebrates. Good for the giraffes!

2. It does not matter. So what if one "chooses" it? Why can't one choose "it"? There is nothing wrong with "it". There is subtle homophobia at play when gay rights advocates yell too hard about orientation and lack of choice. I have no doubt that some people are hardwired gay and some straight - but that is beside most of the point. Is there something less worthy about an adult who freely CHOOSES a same sex partner, for whatever reason, than there is with a gay man or lesbian hardwired for homosexuality?

Nope. People are fascinating and complicated. Thanks be to God - and/or Darwin!

The subtext is "Well, of course, I'd be heterosexual - if I could." The sub subtext of that being "straight is normal, therefore better. I am not normal, therefore worse." When if fact being gay or straight or bi - whether chosen freely or not - are all apparently very normal expressions of sexuality.

Some Photos, mostly from a large rally in Los Angeles last night, sent in by a reader.

Finally: The President-elect needs to speak up on this now.