Page 6 Community unifies by Adam Levenstein Collegian Staff For most of recorded history, society has shunned and even criminalized people who profess (or are suspected) to be homosexuals. Since the 19605, however, the homosexual community has begun to unify and organize with the intention to gain equal rights for themselves, just as civil rights are supposedly guaranteed to a!! citizens of the United States. Today, homosexuals have made enormous gains in their quest, often with the assistance of heterosexual friends who ally themselves with the civil rights movement. Unfortunately, to this day many conservatives openly voice their hatred and fear of homosexuals. To truly understand what the fight for gay rights is about, it is necessary for us to look at this bigotry - which has been named "homophobia" - and realize its moral and logical contradictions. For the most part, homophobes identify with the so-called Religious Right. Often, these same people say that homosexuality is "wrong" and should be illegalized. In fact, many states have "sodomy laws," which prohibit certain sexual acts between members of the same sex, while allowing these same acts between members of the opposite sexes. These laws are often enacted by politicians who demand that the government "gets off our backs." It is interesting to note how this phrase applies to tax breaks for wealthy people, but not spying in people's bedrooms. Another argument put forth by the Right is that homosexuality is morally and Valentine’s ideas It’s that time of year again guys by Nikki Gennuso Collegian Staff Okay guys, it’s that time of year again. After just getting through finding the perfect Christmas present for your girlfriend, you are now faced with an even more important task— Valentine’s Day. Before you go raiding the malls searching frantically for the “perfect gift” and end up buying her a great Hcrshey’s kiss, let me give you a little input on what will really make your girlfriend cry happy tears. One word—flowers. Flowers arc a must on Valentine’s Day, but not all girls expect to be showered with a $5O box oi a dozen long stemmed roses. A single rose is extremely romantic and is about 40 bucks cheaper. Let’s face it, not many of you are the sensitve, poem-writing kind of guy, so an alternative to this v ould be to think of a song that reminds you of her and either buy the single for her or leave it playing on her answering machine. That’ll score big points. Another idea is to record an entire tape full of songs that Make enormous gains in quest naturally wrong. One must look at this argument and ask, "What is wrong with love?" Indeed, what is wrong with love? Sons love their fathers, do they not? There is no reason why loving another member ol the same sex is "wrong." Love is not, nor should it ever be, immoral. As for the naturality of homosexuality, that is another matter. When discussing homosexuality, the question of nature or nurture often comes into play. Is homosexuality genetic, or do people choose to be gay? The answer to this question, however, is completely irrelevant. Whether homosexuality is inborn or chosen, the fact is that homosexuals have the fundamental right to be gay. If people are gay, they do not hurt anyone - it is radical rightists, with their terroristic attacks on HOMOSEXUALITY homosexuals, that are the danger to society. Every few years, a story comes into the news about a homosexual being beaten to death for being gay. When was the last time a homosexual beat a heterosexual for being who he/she is? A fairly new topic which comes into play is the question of homosexual families. Many homosexual couples are getting married today, and some couples choose-to-adopt children-or-have .them, via artificial insemination. Bigots often argue that homosexual parents are not fit to parent children, for reasons yet unknown remind you of her and give it to her. That is an especially good idea if you’ve just started dating and haven’t yet told her how you feel. If you’re the kind of guy who likes to do the jewelcry thing, heart pendants are definitely a good way to go. Depending on if they are 14 kt. or 24 kt., the price range can run from anywhere between $25-50. A really sweet gift is a heart pendant broken in half. Wear one half and give her the other - a great gift for anyone who has been dating for a little while and is ready for some sort of committment. If you are willing to go for something a little more risque, try some flavored massage oil or edible underwear. You can find these items at any respectable Spencer’s for about $l5-20. And if you’re willing to Ct]f~l get personal, force yourselves to y venture into Victoria’s Secret. Qjji pi] o Girls love this kind of stuff. Buy pi—-' '■‘LT'lJlJ her a silky nightshirt and /\1 matching undies. Hey, if you v\ /A y]Qk 7fT M happen to know her bra size -Go CUvOuU Lr for it. You’ll end up spending £>' anywhere between $3O-40. Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get & a sneak peek. Opinion (other than the classic "they are not fitting parents" argument, which bears little logic). The facts show that most often homosexual parents are loving and nuturing parents, with little (if any) record of harming their children. Today, many children grow up in single-parent households; what is wrong with two mothers or fathers? By the logic of the Right, certain people who are "unfit" for society should be taken out of society. Coincidentally, this is exactly what the Nazis did - starting with Communists and Jews, people who were considered "unfit for society" were killed by the millions. It is also necessary for us to look at the homosexual community as a whole. Is this particualr community bringing down the morals of the rest of society? Many have said that "God's law demands that homosexuals be exterminated," often to the faces of gays or lesbians. However, homosexuals are not bringing down America's morals - there is nothing immoral about love. A man loving a man, a man loving a woman, what is the difference? Love is the same. Homosexuals have existed throughout human history. Today, the homosexual community is making strides to promote understanding and equality between homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals. Unfortunately, due to bigoted ignorant feelings some individuals harbor, this understanding has yet ,to be achieved. HOmosbxuals'' are ’ people:' ; A : <r" ; pcbpic, ; everyone is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - there arc no exceptions. Say you’ve just started seeing this girl, or perhaps she doesn’t yet know you exist. The way to go is a rose and the classic teddy bear. A nice bear usually.is between lf you don’t want to be so basic, a big bunch of balloons is a great idea. One rule for gift buying, though, is stay away from candy!!! What girl do you know wants to sit down and devour a box of chocolates when bathing suit season is a few short months away?!? No matter what you get you Valentine, remember that the holiday is not about presents and flowers, it’s about love. All that matters on the 14th is that*your spending time with that spec someone. Happy Valentine Day 9 d) <3 <Q Thursday, February 1, 1996 The Behrend College Collegian Published weekly by the students ■■ of The Pennsylvania State University at Erie. The Behrend College Editor in Chief Jennifer V. Colvin Business Manager Jennifer Heilman News Editor Daniefle Murphy Assistant News Editor Doreen Foutz Sports Editor Nick Zulovich Assistant Sports Editor Juiie Stocker Entertainment Editor Joe Mottillo Photography Editors Shfcila Stekel- Opinion Editor Chad Clouse Advertising Manager Thomas 0. Keefe Copy Editor Michelle Gruendl Advisor Mrs. Cathy Master Bogart, Richard Casey, Crystal Dehart, Nicole Gennuso, Brian Gregory, John Hafner, Bryan Harkins, Kyra Kindon, Adria Kovaty, Steve Landon, Adam Levenstein, Heather.. Me Mahon, Sarah Meichiorre, Sharain Naylor, Jeannine Ouiiette, Matt Plizga, Colette Rethage, John Rossomando, Joe Ryan, Tamara Sculley, Sean Siekkinen, Jason Simmons. Photographers: Brian Charnock, Brian Fisher, Colleen Gritzen, Gina Leone, Bob Misulich. Chris Nelson, Eric Smith. Postal Information: The Collegian is published weekly by the students of. The Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College; First Floor, The J. Elmer Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, PA 16563. . 814-BsB-6488 or 814-898-6019 fax. ISSN 1071-9288 Letter Policy: The Collegian encourages tetters on news coverage, editorial content and University affairs, letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed by no more than two persons. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. ‘ Letters should include the semester standing and major of the writer. Ail letters should provide the address and phone number of the writer for verification of the letter. The Collegian reserves tire right to edit letters for length and to reject letters. Letters submitted to The Collegian become the property of the newspaper. The Collegian is published every Thursday during the academic year on recycled paper.
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