Sexuality should be a private thing

I find myself with several different approaches to these questions. First, the Boy Scouts is a private organization. It has no official position in government and government has no official position in the Scouts. Therefore, in my opinion, no branch of government, including the judiciary, has any authority to dictate policy to the Scouts. It is also true that government has no responsibility to finance or provide any other assistance to the Scouts. The Boy Scout code is, in many cases, based on religious principles. Many local troops are sponsored by various church and civic organizations, which brings it under the influence of the Second Amendment.

Second: I believe that certain parts of our lives should be kept confidential. That includes our sexual orientation. It is no one’s business if I am heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, mono-sexual, techno-sexual or asexual. While you may be able to guess my sexuality, don’t bother to ask. I will not answer you. I firmly believe that this is the best policy for all of us. Anyone who displays their sexuality in public, whether in parades, bumper stickers, T-shirts or any other public device are to me highly repulsive. I do not want to know. And my opinion of you will never be based on my impression of your sexuality. I will never ask and I don’t want you to volunteer the information.

The recent move to change the military policy away from “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” is a major mistake. “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” should be reapplied to the military, and extended to the Boy Scouts.

If you are so anxious to display your sexuality to the public, go to a gay bar. But be sure to wear a coat over your costume while on the street. As for the so-called “gay pride” parades, I find them to be reprehensible. They are designed to force me and people like me to “respect” their gay lifestyle. All they do for me is make me want to go hide until they pass.

Sex is a personal thing. It is between you and your lover or lovers. It has no place in the streets or at Boy Scout meetings. So I maintain these things have no place in any public event. No one ought to use any public event to promote any sexual attitude. Costumes should never be overly sexual. That includes cheerleaders, dancers or body builders. If you want to take part in these events, they should be inside with limited access so that only those who want to see them are admitted. Then if I want to go to a strip club, I will not be forcing my pleasure on those who object.

OK. So I am old-fashioned. I admit it. Go ahead and put on your sexual shows. Just do it out of public view. Let us decide if we want to watch. Don’t force it on us.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frank@frankgillispie.com. His website can be accessed at http://www.frankgillispie.com/gillispieonline.