THE OTHER PRESS

page 9

 

 

ing over ignorance

 

   

vision, heterosexual stereotypes effec-
tively increase the already insufferable
alienation of the homosexual. The
ultimate insult of the heterosexual is a
‘‘play’’ on homosexual lifestyle. The
prevalent accepted stereotype of the

 

“insufferable alienation’

 

male homosexual is effectively cap-
tured by the British army communique
on the topic:

‘What is the greatest single factor
making for success in battle or for
efficient and well-trained forces in
peace? It is morale. And what is the
very foundation of morale? It is
discipline. If these unnatural practices
are made legal, a blow is struck at the
discipline of the British Armed Forces
at a time when we need the very
highest standards of morale and
discipline with these forces serving
throughout the world. Take an infantry

 

“officers are indulging in
unnatural acts”

 

battalion. Suppose the men know the
officers are indulging in unnatural
practices and it is legal and nothing
can be done. Take a large aircraft
carrier with two thousand men cooped
up in a small area. Imagine what
would happen in a ship of that sort if
these practices crept in.’’ (G.B. 1965
vol. 266, col. 647)

The apparent flaws in such argu-
ments are numerous. Within the
Greek and Roman armies of antiquity,
homosexuality was legal and yet there

| was no decline in army morale or

_ | effectiveness. The Roman army was so
1 effective at keeping the peace that it

lasted for over 800 years. Further, to

= claim that homosexual men are more
|| promiscuous than heterosexual men is
_| clearly unfounded and is deliberate
|| hearsay.

 

 

“God is finally
‘getting even.”

 

To claim that God is finally ’’ getting
even’’ with the sodomites by inflicting
the sinners with AIDS is another
means of justifying inequalities
between homosexuals and_hetero-
sexuals. This God-given plague to the

dice in the 20th

infidels is clearly not a factual reality.
According to the World Health Organi-
zation, homosexuals account for only
70 percent of U.S. AIDS cases. 30
percent of the cases are hemophiliacs
and Haitians who have committed
absolutely no ’’crime.”’

The reality of the homosexual seems
clear: he or she is the subject of a.
power struggle between groups which
for their own purposes of power,
criminalize the behavior. On a higher
level, all homosexuals do is to show
their love and respect for each other in
a fundamentally different way. Yet,
the moral majority sees fit to enforce

  
    

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their status quo and not to turn
other cheek.

THE VANCOUVER GAY
COMMUNITY CENTRE

The main jumpoff point for community
services begins at the VGCC, located
at 1349 Burrard Street. The gay
library, legal advice clinic, SEARCH
counselling centre and youth group
yperates out of this building. Their
ohone number is 689-1039.

THE LESBIAN INFORMATION LINE

The LIL can be reached by calling
734-1016. The following women’s
groups are only a few of those that can
de contacted through LIL: Bisexual
Women’s Group, Rights of Lesbians,
Women’s Health Collective, Rape

Relief (call 872-8212), Women Against —

Violence Against Women (phone

875-1328), Gazebo Connection, Les-

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bians Against the Budget and others.

THE VGCC LIBRARY

The Gay Library has an extensive
volume of books on all aspects of gay
and lesbian history, sexuality, liter-
ature, contemporary issues, etc. The
library is located at 1349 Burrard
Street and is open from 7:30 to 9:30
from Sunday to Thursday. Books can
be taken out on loans.

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LITTLE SISTER’S BOOK AND ART
EMPORIUM

 

 

1221 Thurlow Street: Little Sister’s is a
new store and is western Canada’s
largest gay bookstore. A wide selec-
tion of books and current records is
available.

DO YOU AGREE? .
The Other Pressis genuinely concerned with the views
of itsreaders. This feature isthe first inaseriesof
thought-provoking analyses of the issues that shape
and moldourlives. The OtherPress would sincerely
appreciate receiving your correspondence onyour
feelings about the coverage ofthis particular issue.
1, Do you feel this article had definite biases?
2. Wasthe subject matter offensive?
Address all correspondence to The OtherPress_

For further listings of gay and lesbian
community services contact SEARCH
at 689-1039.

juman Rights coordinator. Room 1602.