In response to William Simpson`s letter complaining about the comparison of the fight for gay rights with the fight for the rights of racial minorities:
I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that William Simpson is black, male and straight. In fairness, let me identify myself as gay, white and male.
In 1940, Mr. Simpson would have been segregated from white soldiers in the armed forces. This is no longer the case. I`m gay-I can`t even join.
In the same era, Mr. Simpson`s right to marry would have been restricted because of his race. This is no longer the case. I`m gay-I can`t marry my loved one.
Recently, I invited a black gay friend to join me at a public gay community cultural event. He declined, citing fear of recrimination from the straight black community.
Please do not tell me there are no comparisons between the black experience and the gay experience. As for Mr. Simpson`s contention that being homosexual is a matter of behavioral doing, the best scientific evidence says that being homosexual is substantially innate. I know so from personal experience.
As for accusing white gays of ”white supremacist behaviors,” I humbly disagree. I have seen more racial mixing, both romantically and socially, among gay people than among my straight counterparts.
Perhaps the larger issue is straight black heterosexism. Please clean your own house before casting stones.
