Time to end the totalitarian embargo on dialogue about homosexuality

Brian Ambrosino is a Baltimore professional dancer and writer. He is also gay.

While I disagree with some of the things he says in this article about the Phil Robertson/A&E "Duck Dynasty" affair (while I regard Robertson's phrasing as tactless and tasteless, I happen to agree with his premise that homosexual behavior is inherently contrary to the primary natural purpose of sexuality and a distortion of others), it seems to me that Ambrosino gets his major point exactly right: there is a great deal more bigotry being expressed on the Left than on the Right where the matter of homosexuality is concerned.

And if you disagree with me about homosexual behavior being unnatural, fine. But don't silence me, and don't stigmatize me.

Convince me.

We are simply not having a debate or dialogue about gay "marriage" or the changing attitudes in our society. The media and Leftist politicians (Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel comes to mind) won't allow it. Deciding pre-emptively  that disapproval of homosexual behavior is ipso facto bigotry and that therefore anyone who disagrees with them is a bigot, they will not engage us. Instead, they seek to silence us. There are comparatively few places in the media where a negative view of homosexual behavior or opposition to gay "marriage" can even be expressed. Where it is, generally only the ugliest and most stupid statements are admitted to the public square, thus ensuring that those who express them will be seen as typical of

Aside from being an essentially totalitarian approach to political controversy, this ensures that positions will be hardened, that nobody is able to reach across the gap and discuss the matter civilly with those who disagree with him or with her except on an individual level, and that consensus on the matter is delayed or prevented. Homosexuality will not become generally accepted in this society through intimidation. Americans aren't made that way.

Unfortunately, it seems that liberals are.

That said, it's been my experience that many gays and lesbians (though much less frequently heterosexual social leftists) are willing to distinguish between hatred on one hand and an honest difference in perception and values on the other. It seems to me a great deal easier to talk to many gays and lesbians about our disagreements than with most straight liberals!

As a social conservative who has gay friends whom he likes, respects, and cares about, I don't think I deserve the rap the social liberals are putting on me. And I wish that dialogue on this matter were possible. Alas, at present, it's simply not.

Ask Phil Robertson what happens when you dare dissent from the attitudes the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Left are willing to permit one to hold without being silenced.

HT: Drudge