Transitioning Sexual Paradigms
I am curious about the new state of affairs since the United States repealed the 1993 'don't ask, don't tell' law. Admitted homosexuals could find themselves in a domiciliary conundrum. If, say, a male in the armed forces, living among other male troops in an open dormitory or barrack where there is virtually no privacy, reveals his homosexuality, I believe that the heterosexual troops will feel uncomfortable because they would know that he would naturally see some of his male colleagues in a sexual light.
Before I get stomped on and misclassified as a homophobe, I need to make it very clear that I have absolutely nothing against homosexuals. In fact, I have quite a few male and female friends/acquaintances that happen to be homosexual. And on a broader scale, in spite of Jamaica's international label as a homophobic society, I know for certain that many heterosexual Jamaicans not only tolerate their homosexual friends, acquaintances, associates, workmates and relatives, they are very friendly with them and genuinely like and respect them.
Quite a few of our luminaries were either known to be or strongly suspected of being homosexual, yet no esteem or national honour was denied them because of that widely held opinion.
Reasons for sexual orientations
In spite of contrary assertions from certain quarters, having sat, listened to and conversed with several people with alternative sexual orientations, I believe that some individuals are born with homosexual programming, some are born with bisexual programming, others are born with no particular sexual leaning, and there are those who, through abuse, have been acculturated into homosexuality (which may not be their natural inclination).
Then there is that set of people that become so bored with 'straight' sex that they venture across the border in search of thrills. Those are dangerous people because they masquerade as heterosexuals while living a perfidious and highly risky lifestyle.
Homosexuality is far from new, and it is not an emerging psychosocial phenomenon. Historically, many great nations, societies and cultures accepted it as part of the spectrum of human sexuality. Even now, there exists an unspoilt tribe (I won't say where), wherein males and females live apart and only cohabit during seasons of mating rituals for the sole purpose of producing offspring. The prepubertal males are ceremonially 'abducted' to satisfy the mature male's sexual 'needs' until they go through their own rites of passage.
Misgivings about 'modern' sexuality
Homosexuality has been condemned by the Bible and other religious books. It has been called an abomination. With this in mind, I understand the furore it creates; however, there are many other abominations listed in the Bible. Adulterers, liars, wicked schemers, people who remarry former companions and robbers - just to name a few - don't attract as much ire and attention.
Like many others, I have several misgivings about some other aspects of 'modern' sexuality. The misconception that people can change their sex (gender) with an operation (or by any other means) is outrageous and misleading. Only one's sexual appearance can be changed. There was even a lobby to have birth certificates altered retroactively to reflect the 'sex change' that some people had.
And, I must admit that I am a traditionalist when it comes to marriage. I think that the contract/event/sacrament should be reserved for male-female unions. In a male-male or female-female 'marriage', is there a 'mister' and a 'mistress'?
Nevertheless, I also strongly believe that homosexual couples should have the option to become legally united for socio-economic reasons, but some other term or word should be used to signify the union.
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.
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