Homophobia at an all-time high for a reason

Alfred Kinsey, in his groundbreaking study of American sexuality, found that nearly 46% of the male population had engaged in both heterosexual and homosexual activities in the course of their adult lives. Among females, between 6 and 14% had experienced more than just "incidental" homosexual activity. Factor in homosexual fantasies and self-identification, and the result was that there were not many Kinsey "0"'s on the scale. Even factoring in flaws in the research design, which would make the numbers lower, the overall result is the same: When people tell the truth about their sexual fantasies and activities, the boundaries of sexual orientation are much more blurred than the culture would have us believe.

Because churches and other keepers of public "morals" have beaten us over the head with the idea that anything that is not purely heterosexual is sinful and perverted--and in the case of men, "feminine" (God forbid)--there is understandably a gigantic heap of fear about acknowledging anything above 0 on the Kinsey scale. It isn't surprising, given the religious right's takeover of the government, that this fear has grown even bigger in the last few years. Hence, we have outrageous bigotry toward the GLBT community, as provided in these gems from Pandagon:

The chairman of the Guilford County, North Carolina Republic Party equates homosexuality with pedophilia (as have many before him).

Lifebeat, an organization that says it is dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to the AIDS community, is sponsoring an event that features two performers who sing about killing gay men and lesbians. Be sure you read the entire thing.

A judge in New York explains to us that if gay couples are allowed to marry, heterosexual marriage would become less valuable. One of his most choice arguments was that heterosexual marriage is in so much trouble that couples need the "inducements" of child benefits to try to make marriages work, and if those same inducements are given to the children of gay couples, well...they won't be such prizes anymore, will they? What an idiot.

People are still beating up gays and calling them names in the old-fashioned tradition. But the reach of the abuse has now been extended actively to include courts, politicians and governments. Anyone who saw the last moments of the World Cup knows that homoeroticism is alive and well, and the Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name still finds a way to express itself on the sports field, in gay chat rooms, in remote and cheap hotel rooms paid for by right-wing moralists named John Smith, in anonymous 900 phone calls, and--considering the liberal hall pass given to Jeff Gannon--perhaps in fancier places.

They are gay. They are bisexual. They are curious. They have fantasies. And they are scared.