Since I've been at OU, the topic of homosexuality has been endlessly batted back and forth on this page like a tennis ball, and I've hit a few shots myself. But we're not through discussing it yet.

I'm bringing it up because of anti-gay resolution to be considered by the Oklahoma Legislature in the next month - House Resolution 1045, authored by Rep. Loyd Benson, D-Fredrick, our anticipated next speaker of the house. Benson seems to be trying to prove that he can be just as small-minded and mean as Republicans.

If you're one of those naive folks who thinks openly gay men, lesbians and bisexuals are treated equally, I suggest you consider HR 1045. It may give you an inkling of the depth of prejudice in our society. The consolation is the resolution, if passed, would not become law. It would be a formal statement of the Legislature's stance. However, the Legislature controls funding for state agencies, and HR 1045 is intended to intimidate those agencies, such as the Department of Education, into following the Legislature's homophobic lead.

The resolution has three main points, which I'll discuss individually.

1. "Homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexuality should not be taught as a natural lifestyle in the public schools of this state."

Implied, I supposed, is that it is acceptable to teach that homosexuality is unnatural or even sinful. This is a blatant attempt by the government at thought control through censorship. Gay and lesbian teens are much more likely than their peers to commit suicide.

Telling kids their identity is unnatural definately contributes to the suicide rate. If you don't care about teenagers killing themselves, then you are scum.

Let me be clear that I'm not suggesting schools should espouse homosexuality. I'm suggesting they encourage intellectual discussion. This, by nature, involves considering more than one point of view. Why don't we give a variety of perspectives, both positive and negative, and trust teens to decide for themselves?

Censorship is for people who are afraid of the strength of their opponents' arguments.

2. "Persons who are homosexuals, lesbians or bisexuals should not be permitted to adopt or provide foster care to children in this state."

When we consider how many children are physically and verbally abused and neglected in this state, this issue must pale by comparison. Isn't a child better off with a loving lesbian mom than an abusive straight mom? And to pro-lifers, I ask: Would you rather a child be aborted or adopted by loving gay parents?

Those who oppose gays as parents often suggest that their children will become gay themselves. First, there's nothing wrong with being gay. Second, having gay parents isn't what makes people gay. We don't know exactly what makes people gay. The vast majority of gay adults were brought up by straight parents.

3. "Persons who are homosexuals, lesbians or bisexuals should not be entitled to any special status under the law."

I'm really tired of hearing the word "special" brought into this. It's clear not everybody is listening to what gays are saying. I've never heard any gay man, lesbian or bisexual say he or she wanted "special status" or "special rights." What is that supposed to mean? We want to be allowed to park in the handicapped spots? We want a tax break? All we want is equal rights and respect like every other citizen. This point I can agree with. Don't give gays any "special status."

The stated reasoning for this whole resolution is that tired "family values" mumbo jumbo. Family values sounds lovely, but it's really used as a code language for the oppression of other people. It has nothing to do with treating other people like family.

If they're going to say these things, couldn't they at least come up with a better reason than this "family values" rhetoric? Why don't they supply any evidence? Because there isn't any. At least I haven't heard of any studies showing homosexuals and bisexuals to be inherently unhealthy or unfit as parents.

Most of all, I just can't believe the gay "issue" is an issue at all. This should really be quite simple for Americans to understand. There is nothing more American than respecting your neighbor's freedom. Let's remember that freedom is what people have been coming to America seeking since the first colonists arrived. And freedom and the "pursuit of happiness" is what the whole gay "issue" is about.


Gregory Potts is a journalism and mass communications graduate student who fears that HR 1045 may only be a precursor to something worse.