LETTER: In the Defense of Tolerance

To the Editor: His long article condemns lesbian, gay and bisexual persons -- "sexual misfits" in his words, while not using any academic research to prove his thesis. I question why Mr. Teillon believes it necessary to write such a long diatribe against homosexuality and persons who are homosexual or lesbian. Shakespeare wrote well, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Mr. Teillon has decided that lesbian and gay persons have one purpose: "to legitimize their bedroom behavior." His understanding is limited to genital sexual expression. Intelligent humans realize, whether they be heterosexual or homosexual or bisexual, that human identity is not found in the groin. But yet, this is all that Mr. Teillon can conceive. All persons need and want the freedom to be their authentic selves. Lesbian and gay persons need and want to be who they are. People of color, Asian persons, Jews and women need to be free, to perceive this themselves and know that others affirm them as who they are. We cannot be defined by another person or group. Mr. Teillon tells us that "morality and civilized society has determined a set of cultural norms to gauge acceptable behavior." I believe that Mr. Hitler had the same concept. Who defines what is "civilized society?" Hitler, White America, Mr. Teillon? Mr. Teillon states that non-homosexuals "should be glad that their own sexuality has not reached such a preoccupying state that they feel a need to parade it around Locust Walk." I must ask Mr. Teillon to observe the young heterosexual couples daily expressing their affection on Locust Walk and everywhere else. They are not harassed, mocked, attacked. "The bizarre fetishes" that Mr. Teillon believes gays and lesbians want to legitimize is nothing other than the freedom to love another human just as Mr. Teillon is free to do. Finally, all people need to be affirmed in their humanity. However, the same "civilized society" that tried to destroy the Jews also tried to kill off the "Jewlovers." And those few courageous white people who marched with African-Americans for their right to be free were labeled "nigger-lovers." Are any of us courageous enough to be called "faggots" because we believe that gays and lesbians have a right to live free lives? Hopefully, we at this great University will encourage more weeks of celebrating each others' lives: African- American Awareness Days; Asian Awareness Days; Hispanic-Latino Awareness Days; Women Awareness Days, and yes, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Awareness Days. Kenneth-Kazimieras Stewart Social Work graduate student n To the Editor: Marc Teillon's reactionary column bashing gay pride is brutally self-righteous yet ironically ignorant. Teillon uses his column to legitimize his sexual Puritanism and strut his fancy rhetoric, but his conservative critique smacks of free speech censorship. Well done sir, we should all be homophobic! Teillon likes to think he stands on the moral highground with his vehement disapproval of homosexuality. From his soapbox, he equates diversity with deviance, while denouncing and accusing alternative views as an affront to the world's harmonious morality-very fascistic logic. Here Teillon's logic runs dry: The issue is not about morality but about equality and human rights. The homosexual community is tired of the rude epithets, job and housing discrimination, and smug conservatives that try to pacify them in spite of their oppression. They are not out to convert people sexually but to confront the blatantly and brutally myopic and insincere responses from the anti-gay garrison. Homosexuals have the right to walk down a street holding hands or kissing without being beaten. This call for respectability and justice has a long and noble history in America. Revolutionary documents such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence seem to come to mind. Even more recently the women's liberation and civil rights movement echo the B-GLAD activism. Should we condemn all these movements on the grounds of immorality? If so, we better tear up the Declaration of Independence stating "all men are created equal" as well as that frustrating Bill of Rights. There is an obvious difference between the written law and the reality in the communities. For true equality, humanitarian movements need political validation and a change in the social consciousness that oppressed them in the first place. In addition, Kinsey's brilliant study was not to justify perversion as Tellion misreads it, but to point out the blatant hypocrisy between what was advocated publicly by the masses and what was actually performed privately. Despite the proclaimed Victorian purity, a lot of fine, healthy Americans were committing "deviant" acts such as sex before marriage (which women caught all the blame for -- not men). Teillon defines "natural" according to his own morality, but morals are constructed ideals that cannot have anything to do with the notion of naturalness. Did you know that after certain species of spiders mate, the female kills the male? Deviant behavior indeed, but perfectly "natural." While Teillon uses the safe platform of free speech for his conservative views, he denies that foundation for others. The B-GLAD activists deserve an open ear, eye and heart for respect, not an ignorant fist. Joshua Schuster College '98 (2 signatures follow) n To the Editor: I am writing in response to Marc Teillon's column. When I first read the article I was not only shocked, but disturbed by its implications. It was not just the fact that there was an ignorant, racist, homophobic student espousing his opinions and ideas to an impressionable readership that concerned me. Rather, it was the fact an Ivy League student and most of all a columnist on the DP, is unable to present a slightly accurate historical analysis of sexuality without relying on name calling to articulate his point. Teillon's attempts to be sensationalistic were boring and unsuccessful, quite frankly I expect more from such a cleaver, brilliant, not mention to adorable young man. However, the main focus of my criticism is not actually with Teillon, because there are only a few tricks that a dog can learn and if barking is all that this mutt can do then just maybe someone should put a muzzle on him. The problem stems from the DP editors, columnists, and writers refusal to publish articles that are as racist as Teillon was homophobic. Teillon's pedantic description of B-GLAD being compared to a "Hispanic "drag ball,' is evidence of the racism which exists among journalists. However, what I find so surprising is that during Latino awareness week in October not one article bashed any of the leaders of Hispanic organizations for their efforts, but during B-GLAD the organizers are ridiculed. The existence of this article far transcends issues of freedom of speech and deals with the violation of human rights. By stating the names of the organizers of B-Glad, and then calling all gay people sexual misfits directly referring to these two students is a tragedy. Have the editors considered the feelings of these students and the ramifications of opening an arena of discourse that's main function is to make Penn students feel unequal and different? Unfortunately, Tellion is unaware that this role includes more than just directing first year students to the best party or bar. Rather, it deals with understanding all aspects and development of college students which definitely includes notions and ideas of sexual identity. Before he calls gays, lesbians and bisexuals misfits, do not forget the effects that this could have on the "unwary freshmen." Coming out of the closet or just exploring ideas of sexuality can be extremely devastating to anyone, especially first year students at a University in which individuals who hold positions of influence are already labeling themselves as misfits. A point to consider before you indulge in calling anyone a sexual misfit is the fact that someone just might be listening. Considering the number one cause of suicide among young adults is the result of sexual identity crisis is an important to be careful of what you say. Even though it involves the freedom of speech, Teillon and the DP staff should not ignore the violation of human rights that is occurring and continue to be unaware of the ramifications of slandering sexual minorities. On a more personal note, Marc, on behalf of all the "fags" on campus, there is nothing sexier than a college guy wearing khakis, Happy Jeans Day, Markie-pooh. Jim Downs College '95