When Governor Perry compared homosexuality to alcoholism, Conrad Liveris – who is a sober gay man – had to wonder how this would affect our citizens’ freedom and liberty.
According to CBS news, Governor Rick Perry has compared alcoholism and homosexuality.
As a gay man who has been sober for just over two years, I found it a bizarre comment. His position has also been criticised by the American Psychological Association.
In the 1990s we found out that there was a “gay gene”. Scientists have been intrigued by this ever since, and Dean Hamer, who discovered this genetic streak, has had his work furthered. It has been considered a major contribution to science time and time again.
Lady Gaga summed is up best, I was born this way. The academy agrees.
I have two older brothers. They are heterosexual and in relationships with women. Something in my genetics has seen me be sexually attracted to men, and them to women.
Has Perry ever tried to gay? If it is as simple as giving up alcohol, then he should give it a go.
There is a certain level of human curiosity when it comes to sexuality. Most LGBTI people accept that, Perry goes beyond this.
The Texas Republican Party is asking for the LGBTI community to undergo reparative therapy. Along the lines of pray away the gay, this is a foolish method of psychology and a hoax-come-revenue stream for the less credible members of the profession.
I don’t quite understand the objection to my lifestyle. LGBTI people are not trying to “destroy marriage” or “push the gay agenda” (both have been suggested), we are largely a happy and accepting group of people.
Positions like this are an assault on human rights. It is denying the liberty of people to who they want to be and not impacting the choice of others.
On comparing it to alcoholism is outrageous. Alcoholism is an addiction, in the same way that cocaine can be an addiction.
If Governor Perry wants to be President, as it is widely presumed, he should try and better understand all of his constituents.
Leaders don’t make outlandish statements on any topic, they take a considered and reasoned approach. Perry has done the opposite of this, by playing to a fringe ideological base.
I am not concerned about his comments as a gay man, I don’t live in Texas and he has limited impact on my life; I am concerned for his attack on freedom and liberty.
People who agree with Perry ought to look at the science and reason that exists on this topic, they should also have a greater discussion with LGBTI people.
From an economic policy position, they should consider the economic impact that LGBTI people have. This is a growing field. Jenn Grace has suggested that the impact is in the billions.
I would think that every politician would have an interest in such a powerful economic and political group.
Which group will be attacked by Perry next? Perhaps they won’t have the same stamina or preparation that the LGBTI community has had – this is not the first time that we’ve been attacked and belittled. History shows our struggles in great detail.
I might not live the life that Perry and his conservative cronies want, I am a forgiving and socially-conscious person. I would expect that of a public representative.
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