THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS amused at Melville Cooke's attempt to explain to the male homosexual community, the distinction between "rights" and "privileges". Having read a number of entertaining articles by Mr. Cooke I was impressed with the first two paragraphs, but became disappointed with the following series of non sequiturs and illogical reasoning.
It is not clear whose rights have been infringed upon in the example about the American who wanted to become a scout leader and a parent not wanting a child to be on a camping trip with such a person. I assume that Mr. Cooke is trying to make the point that a parent's fear for a son over-nighting with a male homosexual is just grounds for excluding male homosexuals from such activities.
My question is: By such reasoning is one not infringing on the rights of the homosexual by assuming an intention of sexual molestation because he is a homosexual? This kind of reasoning is similar to that of some police officers infringing on one's rights, because of the assumption that if you are from certain areas you must be involved in some criminal activity!
The point of taxpayers being "forced to support a lifestyle choice that he or she is against", is really amusing. Does Mr. Cooke really want to advance this argument? If I am against the Rasta lifestyle can I argue that they should be excluded from benefits paid for by taxes? And are not homosexuals taxpayers too?
On the question of "vulgar displays of sexuality" and "flaunting lifestyles in everyone's face": Take a look at the behaviour of some of those on the streets of Kingston during the carnival period. Are the carnival revellers infringing on the rights of those who do not share their vulgar displays of sexuality that is flaunted in the faces of others and their families?
I end by pointing out that this letter is about the expression of thoughts, opinions and ideas in a logical and reasonable manner, and not about the support for or objection to homosexuality.
I am, etc.,
EMANUEL GRANT
grante@cs.colostate.edu
Ft. Collins, Colorado
Via Go-Jamaica
