Some folks

(especially those who happen to be gay or lesbian) might

consider me homophobic - and, in some ways, maybe I

am.

Now, I do not

believe in bashing someone who happens to be gay over the

head with a baseball bat.

Our Constitution

does not discriminate between people because of their

sexual preference, so no one has the right to go around

beating up on folks because of who they might prefer to

sleep with.

But, I consider

myself a fairly traditional Christian; and, I have some

fairly traditional Christian views about such things as

homosexuality.

To be blunt, I

consider it a despicable aberration in the way God meant

things to be.

It is not a

lifestyle I would choose for myself or wish upon anyone

else.

If the truth be

known, I wish it did not exist in the world today -

and I certainly wish we never had to talk about it again.

Now, it is not

that I do not like gay people: I have met some gay people

whom I liked a great deal.

For instance, when

I was in college, I was often in plays produced by the

student theater group and I regularly came in contact

with actors and support personnel who were gay.

Some close

friendships were developed between us.

Because of those

friendships, I went some places and became aware of

certain lifestyle choices I might not otherwise have come

in contact with.

(As my wife often

notes disparagingly, I was not quite as sheltered as she

about some things.)

But, I must point

out that, like the friendships I share with black folk or

Hispanics or whomever, these friendships did not develop

between us because they were gay.

Indeed, I did not

care what type of sexual relationship they preferred.

And, in all

honesty, I would have just as soon not have known.

I still feel that

way.

Basically, I guess

I am a little Victorian in my lifestyle preferences.

There are some

things that are - and should remain - private.

Not only do I not

care with whom my friends sleep: I do not want to know.

That is the main

thing which bothers me about the contemporary "gay

rights" movement.

It seems to be

arguing that its members deserve certain rights and

privileges because they are gay.

As I listen to

their rhetoric, I am particularly incensed that they

would compare their "struggle" for gay rights

to the historic struggle by blacks and other minorities

to obtain their civil rights.

To my way of

thinking, there is little or no comparison.

As I said before,

our Constitution guarantees that every person will be

free to exercise their rights as citizens - to vote,

own property, rent or own a home, hold a job of one's own

choosing, run for public office, etc. - regardless

of their sexual preference.

And, most of the

other matters which the "gay rights" movement

says needs special consideration - such as whom to

designate as an insurance beneficiary or whom to consider

as a dependent on an insurance policy - are matter

which could easily be solved by reasonable people using a

little compassion and understanding in their dealings

with others.

Our society would

be a heck of a lot better off if we would revert to those

days when we had a little modesty - and when we did

exercise a little more common sense - about what we

chose to discuss in the public forums.

Some things are

truly private matters between consenting adults and

should remain so.

[Lee N. Howell is

an award-winning writer who has been observing politics

and society in the Southern Crescent, the state, and

nation for the past 25 years.]

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