American Literature

The world of today has several issues, which may be controversial. Sometimes these issues may have major support leading to the other section getting marginalized. Homosexuality and gay marriage is one such issue that despite getting increasing support, still has a long way to go. The discrimination against homosexuality has to end. There are many gay activists around the world who stand up for the cause of the homosexuals. These people highlight the plight of the gays and spearhead their aspirations in a challenging world. Among the noted proponents of this marginalized group is Scott Bidstrup. Scott Bidstrup has authored several articles on the rights of gays and gay marriages. Unlike most other writers of the subject, Bidstrup elaborates not only on gay rights but also on the life difficulties, the gays face everyday. His splendid illustration wins considerable sympathy and support for this group. He looks into every aspect of life and life challenges for the gays.

In his essay Homophobia The fear behind the hatred, he analyses several issues of the gays in the society which are seldom recognized. Quoting the dictionary for homophobia as the fear of homosexuals, Bidstrup ironically says that homophobia, which is widely prevalent in America, inspires discrimination. He sums up this discrimination as touching the lives of not just gays Americans, but all Americans. He interestingly recollects that during the campaign for the U.S Senate in 1994, supporters of Oliver North carried placards reading Homophobia Doesnt Kill. Bidstrup sarcastically says that these supporters were ignorant, because homophobia does kill and several homosexuals are killed each year. He continues with his rhetoric saying that while dozens are murdered in the US each year, thousand across the world are killed in the same period. Bidstrup tries to project the value of a homosexuals life as perceived in many countries, by saying that the deaths of homosexuals are not considered worth recording as a separate category, in many countries.

Bidstrup looks into the various reasons provided by the opponents of homosexuality, in an effort to discriminate them. He mentions these arguments as homosexuality is not natural, it is perverted, against Gods will and being disgusting. By taking a point-to-point perspective, Bidstrup successfully counters the arguments. He justifies homosexuality as being normal by citing science that homosexual behavior has been observed in many animal species and bisexual behavior being universal. He sums up the perversion theory as not being a natural argument, except when taken with the religious fervor. Continuing with his argument to counter the claim that it is against Gods will, Bidstrup questions the role of religion in todays society, which has implemented the separation of the powers of the church and state. While justifying the stand and rights of homosexuals, the author ponders on the actual intentions of the opponents of homosexuality. According to the author, the real intention to oppose homosexuality is the fear that heterosexual marriages would be threatened, and the human ego which perceives individuals who are different, as being a threat. One of the fine arguments the author puts forth for many opposing homosexuality is that there is a fear that one may himself be a homosexual.

In another article, Gay Marriage The Arguments and the Motives Bidstrup looks into the issues revolving gay marriages. He highlights the increasing awareness and support to homosexuality, while exposing an interesting and lesser-understood fact. He says that almost seventy percent of the Americans oppose gay marriage, while almost the same percentage supported gay rights. The implications are now clear many people who support gay rights dont support gay marriages. The support, which homosexuals have for equality in jobs, benefits, protection, housing etc., is not extended to gay marriages.  He looks into the various reasons people put forth to thwart gay marriages. Like in the earlier case, he recounts one by one. Opponents of gay marriage do not hesitate to support their case with unimaginable and senseless arguments, in desperate attempt to prevent gay marriages.  Bidstrup feels the opposition to gay marriages stems up from facts, that dont intend to keep up with the changing times and trends. The opposition to it is so flimsy and irrelevant that their very mention highlights their inappropriateness. He adds that such statements against gay marriages include the perception that gay relationship is unnatural and immoral, same sex-marriage is untried, and that same sex marriages can lead towards legalization of other such illegal relationships like incest, bestial marriage.

According to Bidstrup, such propaganda is intentionally directed to prevent implementation of gay rights. This indifference to gay marriage arises from peoples perception of marriage and homosexuality. The general thinking even among supporters of homosexuality is that gays have multiple partners and that their relationships are not deep or emotional. Gays are considered as uncommitted and not being capable of forming lasting relationships. The author agrees to this, since gays do have such relationships too. However, he points out that such relationships also exist in heterosexual or straight society, although to a lesser extent. What people dont understand about gays is that, as gays grow and mature, they too like their straight counterparts begin to value and seek committed lasting relationships. Bidstrup emphasizes on the values exhibited by gay couples in their daily routine as being perfectly comparable to that of straight couples. They are loyal to their partners, involve themselves in family life, play an active role in the development of their communities and neighborhoods. Like heterosexual couples, many gay couples also serve on school boards, volunteer in charity activities and also donate generously to their communities.

One of the most convincing and thought evoking arguments by Bidstrup on this subject is the perceived stand of religion on homosexuality. He appreciates the stand of Buddhism, which according to him draws many homosexuals because there isnt any homophobia preaching in it. The Theravada Buddhist viewpoint is that all relationships i.e. gay, lesbian or straight are personal matters involving mutual consent. All relationships are considered constructive and acceptable as long as both partners are happy. With regard to Christianity and the bible, the author says that the bible was written at a period when there was no understanding of homosexuality or psychosexual orientation. The bible therefore does not recognize people as being lesbians or gays. The inference was only directed to homosexual acts committed by persons considered heterosexual. The author also notes the indifference with regard to bible interpretation. When it comes to homosexuality, many Christians literally take all references to homosexual acts while they interpret other texts with much flexibility. The bible actually pays very little attention to this subject and most importantly Jesus speaks nothing on this topic, in the New Testament. This apart, he says, most instructions and recommendations of the bible are of lesser relevance today, like avoiding pork.

The voice of Scott Bidstrup is truly encouraging and of immense support to the homosexual group. His views and analysis have depth exposing a reader to many unexpected scenarios and situations. The main point of his articles is that while arguing for the rights of the homosexuals and gay marriages, he also emphasizes with the same tone, the discrimination and pain this group undergo in their everyday life. Again these are situations which none would ever anticipate, or generally get to know about it. Most of these situations, which the author cites, seem to come directly from a discriminated person. Such is the reality and tone of Bidstrup.