Allergic to taking responsibility

Americans are becoming more and more obsessed with the belief that sexual orientation is innate. The queer mainstream mag the Advocate has begun running a full-page ad for its website that tells readers it's the Internet address that they "were born" to visit.

Letters to the editor about pro athlete Sheryl Swoopes' coming out are full of vicious criticism. How dare Swoopes say she "chose" her relationship?

Dwight S. Powell, the editor-in-chief of the very snazzy looking, recently reborn Clikque Magazine, a Florida-based glossy "for and about black SGL [same-gender-loving] men," has a similar attitude in the January 2006 issue. "[A]s a role model for the gay community, she will be dynamic... right? In a recent interview on LOGO, Sheryl Swoopes proclaimed that her sexuality was not by birth, but however, a decision and 'choice' she had made shortly before the birth of her eight-year-old son Jordan," wrote Powell.

"For me, Sheryl Swoopes may be a champion on the basketball court, but certainly not an 'advocate' for the advancement and cultural acceptance of gays and lesbians around the world. For decades gay rights activists and supporters have fought feverishly against claims of anti-gay factions who suggest that we 'choose' to be gay. With such a high-profile personality adding fuel to the fire in support of anti-gay rhetoric, such statements does nothing but set us [gays] back, and makes our struggle for equality and acceptance even that more difficult.

"Since that interview, we made numerous attempts to contact Sheryl and quiz her on her remarks. Unfortunately, we weren't successful. We were hoping she would tell us that she misspoke and is still coming to terms with what she has known for most of her life. I am still hopeful and optimistic that she will correct these statements, but until then, we dare not proclaim her guardian and role model for the gay and lesbian community."

Good on Powell for having the nerve to criticize (we all know of too many media outlets that refuse to question). It's just too bad it's on this issue. Regular readers will recall my analysis of that choice thing. We need to reject blame, and instead glory in all our choices (else bisexuals will be forced to stick to the opposite sex, since they can).

It's an ideology that's taking over. I fear for the future of the movement in the U.S. of A.