| Articles erroneously co-opting sexual orientation as a "lifestyle"
The following articles illustrate why the use of the term "lifestyle" in reference to a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity is a misnomer that allows people to co-opt the term to denigrate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender person. It is important to talk about the real and authentic lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender PEOPLE...people with human faces and hearts. Click here to understand more about why the term "lifestyle" is inappropriate and misinformed.
I put the word "lifestyle" in quotes because of it misuse. People who use this term in an erroneous fasion do so in a deliberate attempt to classify sexual orientation as a "thing" that they can push away, rather than as a core aspect of one's overall being, thus distracting themselves from the person as a human being.
These various articles listed below speak of such absurd possibilities as "his presence might tempt local people to become homosexual" in speaking of Elton John (hey, if heterosexuals aren't tempting us, what makes a person think we can tempt them?).
In Rev. Al Mohler's The "Compassion" of Truth: Homosexuality in Biblical Perspective (I added the quotes since I believe that our community does not need this type of "compassion") he says, "Behind this discussion is an agenda, pushed and promoted by activists, who seek legitimization and social sanction for homosexual acts, relationships, and lifestyles. The push is on for homosexual "marriage," the removal of all structures and laws considered oppressive to homosexuals, and the recognition of homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, and others as "erotic minorities," deserving of special legal protection. (The quotes around "marriage" are his). He continues by saying, "The larger culture is now bombarded with messages and images designed to portray homosexuality as a normal lifestyle. Homoerotic images are so common in the mainstream media that many citizens have virtually lost the capacity to be shocked." (Notice that he does not put lifestyle in quotes, using it as a way to distance from the person and denigrate them).
Chris Hedges, author and former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times says,
I spent two years reporting and writing "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America." At the numerous gatherings I attended around the country, one of the driving forces and most effective mobilizing agents was the issue of sexuality. This mass movement, led by figures such as James Dobson, claims that tolerance of "alternative lifestyles" is eroding the American family. They describe "same-sex attraction" as a disease that can be cured. And they condemn all sexual love that is not heterosexual as an abomination in the eyes of God.
The above are just a few examples of how people attempt to create a link between sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and the term "lifestyle," with the next step being a reference to this now identified "lifestyle" as deviant.
Nowhere, however, do these people who demonize gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender persons speak of the love, commitment, honor and respect which constitutes many relationships of same gender couples, some of which include a transgender person as a part of that mix, or mixed gender couples, where one of the individuals is a trasngender person.
Click here to read about one Baptist minister's journey. Rev.Bruce W. Lowe came to understand a new truth, previously unavailable to him. In his first point, he says,
Homosexuality is an unchangeable nature; it is not a lifestyle choice.
Yes, he understands!
Articles
Tobago Church Leaders Seek Ban On Sir Elton John
The Archdeacon of Trinidad and Tobago, Philip Isaac, said Sir Elton's lifestyle failed to conform to Biblical teaching.
The "Compassion" of Truth: Homosexuality in Biblical Perspective
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