Cry Havoc
09-23-2009, 12:45 PM
http://www.examiner.com/x-13096-Cincinnati-Gay-Relationships-Examiner~y2009m9d23-Does-porn-make-you-gay
Well known Republican conservative Michael Schwartz, who is also the Chief of Staff for Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, told attendees at the annual Value Voters Summit to "keep pornography away from young boys because it will turn them gay" the Washington Independent has reported.
Mr. Schwartz made his comments during a panel discussion titled "The New Masculinity" on the final day of the conservative meet up, which was held this year at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. Schwartz went on to tell his audience that “Pornography is a blight. It is a disaster. It is one of those silent diseases in our society that we haven't been able to overcome very well. It is my observation that boys of that age (referring to adolescent youth) have less tolerance for homosexuality than just about any other class of people. They speak badly about homosexuality and that's because they don't want to be that way. They don't want to fall into it.”
Mr. Schwartz also spoke to the crowd about an AIDS activist and "ex-gay" friend who told him; “All pornography is homosexual pornography, because all pornography turns your sexual drive inwards.” He used this statement from his "ex-gay" friend to attempt to justify his point that; "If you tell an 11-year-old boy about that, do you think he's going to want to get a copy of Playboy? I'm pretty sure he'll lose interest. That's the last thing he wants! It's a good point, and it's a good thing to teach young people" he commented.
At one point during this rant, Schwartz spoke even more directly by saying; "If it doesn’t turn you homosexual, it at least renders you less capable of loving your wife. And it’s something you need to be healed of.”
Understandably Mr. Schwartz' comments fired up bloggers across the country who collectively shook their heads to these ridiculous insights.
Dan Savage, editor of the Seattle publication The Stranger, didn't hold back with his response saying that "These people are absolutely terrified of human sexuality. They're afraid of women having control of their own reproductive systems, they're afraid of pornography, they're afraid of masturbation, of birth control, and of homosexuality". He went on to add that "What's most amazing about this particular lie is how easily disproved it is. If pornography and masturbation makes you gay how come all men aren't gay?” Savage asks. Fair enough question it seems. There are a lot of straight men out there who enjoy porn, and it hasn't turned them gay yet!
The Value Voters Summit is an annual event for Conservatives sponsored by the Family Research Council, which is a conservative, Christian right non-profit lobbying organization. The FRC's mission statement explains that the Family Research Council exists to provide educational materials to the general public concerning traditional Judeo-Christian family values and ethics, and information concerning legislative and judicial developments affecting family life and values.
Is human sexuality really so frightening that people have to employ tactics to scare "the gay" out of someone? Homosexuality is not caused by pornography. The type of porn that someone may choose to view is already determined by their sexual interests, not the other way around. Many people may not like pornography, but it certainly isn't a magic spell that turns people gay when they view it. Using this as a reason for why people should not watch pornography is ridiculous and offensive in the context that it is being used. In the 1950's these same types of people believed, and preached to the masses that masturbation would make you go blind. Stating that pornography turns people gay is applying this same "out-of-touch with reality" type of logic. The only thing more laughable than this nonsense, is the fact that the folks who endorse this type of brainwashing actually believe the crap that they are perpetuating.
Below is a video of this man in action. (Mr. Schwartz begins his anti-porn/anti-gay tirade at the 2:47 mark) Enjoy!
MYdyFRHizTg
Well known Republican conservative Michael Schwartz, who is also the Chief of Staff for Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, told attendees at the annual Value Voters Summit to "keep pornography away from young boys because it will turn them gay" the Washington Independent has reported.
Mr. Schwartz made his comments during a panel discussion titled "The New Masculinity" on the final day of the conservative meet up, which was held this year at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. Schwartz went on to tell his audience that “Pornography is a blight. It is a disaster. It is one of those silent diseases in our society that we haven't been able to overcome very well. It is my observation that boys of that age (referring to adolescent youth) have less tolerance for homosexuality than just about any other class of people. They speak badly about homosexuality and that's because they don't want to be that way. They don't want to fall into it.”
Mr. Schwartz also spoke to the crowd about an AIDS activist and "ex-gay" friend who told him; “All pornography is homosexual pornography, because all pornography turns your sexual drive inwards.” He used this statement from his "ex-gay" friend to attempt to justify his point that; "If you tell an 11-year-old boy about that, do you think he's going to want to get a copy of Playboy? I'm pretty sure he'll lose interest. That's the last thing he wants! It's a good point, and it's a good thing to teach young people" he commented.
At one point during this rant, Schwartz spoke even more directly by saying; "If it doesn’t turn you homosexual, it at least renders you less capable of loving your wife. And it’s something you need to be healed of.”
Understandably Mr. Schwartz' comments fired up bloggers across the country who collectively shook their heads to these ridiculous insights.
Dan Savage, editor of the Seattle publication The Stranger, didn't hold back with his response saying that "These people are absolutely terrified of human sexuality. They're afraid of women having control of their own reproductive systems, they're afraid of pornography, they're afraid of masturbation, of birth control, and of homosexuality". He went on to add that "What's most amazing about this particular lie is how easily disproved it is. If pornography and masturbation makes you gay how come all men aren't gay?” Savage asks. Fair enough question it seems. There are a lot of straight men out there who enjoy porn, and it hasn't turned them gay yet!
The Value Voters Summit is an annual event for Conservatives sponsored by the Family Research Council, which is a conservative, Christian right non-profit lobbying organization. The FRC's mission statement explains that the Family Research Council exists to provide educational materials to the general public concerning traditional Judeo-Christian family values and ethics, and information concerning legislative and judicial developments affecting family life and values.
Is human sexuality really so frightening that people have to employ tactics to scare "the gay" out of someone? Homosexuality is not caused by pornography. The type of porn that someone may choose to view is already determined by their sexual interests, not the other way around. Many people may not like pornography, but it certainly isn't a magic spell that turns people gay when they view it. Using this as a reason for why people should not watch pornography is ridiculous and offensive in the context that it is being used. In the 1950's these same types of people believed, and preached to the masses that masturbation would make you go blind. Stating that pornography turns people gay is applying this same "out-of-touch with reality" type of logic. The only thing more laughable than this nonsense, is the fact that the folks who endorse this type of brainwashing actually believe the crap that they are perpetuating.
Below is a video of this man in action. (Mr. Schwartz begins his anti-porn/anti-gay tirade at the 2:47 mark) Enjoy!
MYdyFRHizTg