COLUMN: "A Fuss Over Myths"

From Paul LaMonica's "A Room With A View," Fall '92 Heterosexual males, constantly preoccupied with thoughts of sex, are not able to separate their libidinal urges from their duties as a doctor. They cannot possibly remain professional, faced with seeing the most sexually desired parts of the female body every day. Correct? If this argument seems as ludicrous to you as it does to me, then why is there such a fuss about homosexuals serving in the military? On Veterans' Day, President-elect Bill Clinton reiterated a campaign promise that he would lift the ban on gays and lesbians in the military. Immediately, homophobics began sounding off about their fear and anger over the prospect of homosexual soldiers. In a New York Times article on November 16, heterosexual servicemen were asked their opinions on the subject. Here are some of the responses: "Out at sea, there would be no place for them to go but after you." "We just don't want them around us; we just want them to stay out of the Marine Corps." "If you work with some guy who's gay, how can you be sure you won't get AIDS? It would make me feel unsure, unsafe. I would definitely get out in a heartbeat." The sailor who worried about gays going after him assumes erroneously, as many other people do, that all homosexual males lead promiscuous lifestyles and are attracted to every man they see. I'm heterosexual, and I am not attracted to or distracted by every woman I see walking down Locust Walk. I honestly can't comprehend how gays would be able to function in society if the sight of any male turned them on. Myth One shattered. Myth Two: Gay equals AIDS. Yes, homosexual males are the highest risk group for contracting the AIDS virus. However, let's look at what some of our celebrities say about AIDS victims. NBA All-Star forward Karl Malone publicly worried that "working with" Magic Johnson could lead to spread of AIDS through the cuts and scrapes common during a basketball game. Despite the conclusions of doctors and scientists that the chances of catching AIDS through rough -- and possibly bloody -- contact in a physical sport are infinitesimal, many basketball players said they would not want to play against Magic. Citing these fears, Johnson retired once again. Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. Magic is a heterosexual. He contracted AIDS by having unprotected sex with scores of women. Wait a minute. I guess there are absolutely no soldiers who conceivably could be as promiscuous as Magic was, and therefore, run the risk of being HIV positive. But I thought only gay soldiers could get AIDS. Check the facts. AIDS is not a gay disease exclusively. Unless our soldiers share needles with, receive blood transfusions from or have sex with a gay serviceman who happens to be HIV positive, AIDS is not a threat. Myth Two: shattered. Even a homophobe would admit there are homosexuals already in the military. They have seen combat, fought in the Gulf War and served their nation with honor and distinction. One homosexual -- a Gulf War veteran and former Marine -- said in the Times article, "I don't think that there will be a mad rush of raging queens down to the nearest recruiting office. The two lifestyles just don't mesh." Do you really think that homosexuals would enlist in the military if they didn't want to serve? Why would people lie about their identities and subject themselves to the rigid and structured life of the military, unless they really wanted to serve their nation? The military is a career. When someone has a job to do, they do their job. But if a homosexual in the military was foolish enough to attempt to force a sexual relationship with a heterosexual member of the same sex, then a disciplinary action is warranted. It would constitute a violation of ethical standards. First, it would demonstrate that this soldier's desire for sex superceded his loyalty to serve and superceded his duty to place the good of the country above the good of himself or herself. More importantly, the person would be placing a fellow soldier in a highly uncomfortable position against his or her will. Consider the case of the retired Navy lieutenant who had to pretend that she had a fiance, and even bought a diamond engagement ring. But she didn't put on this charade to quell rumors that she was a lesbian. She did it to stop the sexual advances of a male commanding officer. How about that? Incidents like the Tailhook fiasco are not just statistical abnormalities. Sexual harassment of females is present in the military! If the military is so worried about unchecked hormones, they should start with this problem. The military should severely crack down on sexual harassment. Wouldn't it be best to send the message that members of the military should treat each others as equals, regardless of sex or sexual orientation? Why must such an important sector of this nation exclude people capable of performing great services for our country because of sexual orientation? Why can't gays and lesbians in the military be allowed to reveal who they are, instead of pretending to be something they are not? I thought our armed forces were supposed to protect our civil rights and liberties -- the belief in freedom established in the Constitution. Isn't it highly hypocritical that the upholders of our personal freedoms will not tolerate the personal choices made by fellow soldiers? Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney has admitted that excluding gays and lesbians is probably anachronistic, but that it is a military tradition. Historical footnote: President Harry S. Truman encountered much resistance when he broke a "tradition" and integrated the army. That was 1948. Our society is enlightened enough now in 1992 to recognize the folly of those who disagreed with Truman. Aren't we? Maybe now in 1992, the military will be forced to recognize its errors and "open the closets," ending the suffering of all the soldiers on duty -- and R.O.T.C. students on campuses just like ours -- who have kept their sexual orientation a secret. Maybe in 1992, the military will finally recognize people for their merits, and admit that homosexuals can perform just as well as their heterosexual peers. Maybe in 1992, fears fostered by ignorance will finally be dispelled. Maybe. Paul LaMonica is a sophomore Psychology major from North Babylon, New York. "A Room With A View" normally appears alternate Tuesdays.