‘Portrayal of gay relations on television
sickening’ causes stir
The Pendulum received 12 responses to Nick
Benjamin’s regarding gay relations. Excerpts from all
submissions are printed here. To read the full version
of the submitted article, click READ MORE...
In your world homosexuality is not "normal."
However, it is very "normal" here at Elon. Elon
policy is that no one is discriminated against because of
sexual preference. Apparently Elon also honors same-sex
marriage because health benefits are provided for same-sex
partners of employees. READ
MORE... -Ginger Brown, ‘07
This isn't about the over 1,000 benefits given to
married couples, this isn't about a flimsy piece of
paper. This is not about special privileges. This is about
equality. It's not about gay rights, it's about human
rights. We must today realize that there is a fight to be
won, and we college students are the ones that need to be
fighting it. Our government has no right to tell us who we
can or cannot marry. READ
MORE... -Adam Smith, ‘05 Co-President, Spectrum
While I do believe that each person is entitled to his or
her own opinion on whether homosexuality is correct or
morally right, to label a group of people as
"sickening" or "disgusting" is not only
closed-minded, but it is also offensive. No civilized or
sophisticated person would be so crude as to label an entire
group of people as "sickening" just because he or
she does not understand or approve of their lifestyle.
READ MORE... -Jon Shutt, ‘05
Is it right for the government to prohibit a white woman to
marry a black man, or an American man marrying a Chinese
woman? Should it be illegal for a Jewish person to marry a
Catholic? The answer is NO! The government does not have the
authority to make these personal decisions. And passing an
amendment prohibiting marriage between same sex partners
would be considered discrimination. Are we still a nation
that discriminates? READ
MORE... -Steve Sorch, ‘05
Tolerance is a condition that allows people to see the
fairness of their perspective and how the freedom we’ve
all been given can benefit all of society, not just for the
convenient few who society sees as “normal.”
READ MORE... -Angela Ragouzeos ‘05
Coming out to my family and friends was the hardest thing I
have done thus far in my short life. I embrace people for who
they are, not what they are. I will often sit in amazement
while the issue of gay marriage is being debated around me.
Marriage is about love – an expression of unconditional
love. Love exists on many levels, including homosexuality.
Homosexuals are people just like any other type, we just
happen to love a partner of the same sex. Why should gay
marriages not be granted the same rights as a heterosexual
marriage? READ MORE... -Matthew Haynes, ‘02
As for homosexuality being portrayed in the media, I think
it’s fabulous. I want the right to be recognized and be
legally married to the person I love and start a family
through adoption. The more exposure the better. And frankly,
I’m glad it’s making you feel uncomfortable.
Comedienne Margaret Cho once said, “Any type of love
is fine, it’s your hate you have to watch.”
READ MORE... -Charles Haslam The Guilfordian
Legislation changes with our society as we grow to realize
the moral obligation we have to not discriminate or hinder
citizens living under the blanket of U.S. security. If the
Constitution was not elastic, the 13th Amendment, which
abolishes slavery would not have been passed. The 19th
Amendment, which protects women's suffrage, would not
have been passed. Our schools would still be segregated (if
not segregated, then we would be a good amount of years
behind in civil rights), the struggle for the feminist voice
would be more arduous and less accepted and our future
children would not know the difference. Times change.
READ MORE... -Rachel Emerson, ‘06
How easily we forget, or more aptly, IGNORE, the fact that
our Elon Bubble is seriously lacking in cultural, religious
and ethnic diversity. Our homogenous environment has made us
lazy and intolerant. President Bush’s sentiments on
marriage between gay women and men of the United States
encourages discrimination. READ
MORE... -Hannah Sanders, ‘07
I understand Mr. Benjamin’s perspective. But if we are
going to use scripture as a justification for certain
political views, I believe that we must be held accountable
to what we are saying. When we quote the Bible in order to
justify our politics, we must have a greater understanding of
where those words are coming from. We cannot just pick verses
out, like Skittles out of a bag. It would be a mistake to
pull one verse from a larger set of sixth century B.C. Jewish
laws, ignoring all the others. READ MORE... -John Penniman, ‘05
Believe it or not, there are homosexual dentists, doctors,
lawyers, postal workers, law enforcers, bankers, waiters and
waitresses. There are homosexuals that have children,
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, aunts and
uncles. Homosexuals could be Asian, African, Hispanic or
European. There are actors, singers, artists, performers and
entertainers who are gay. Get ready for the REAL shocker:
there are several homosexual students and faculty members on
Elon’s very own campus! READ MORE... -Trevor Kelly, ‘05
I am glad to see that gay and lesbian marriages are starting
to be considered legal in different parts of the United
States; this should have happened a long time ago. As
Americans we pride ourselves on living in a free country and
having the freedom to be whatever kind of person we see fit.
READ MORE... -Katherine Shephard, ‘05 | |
