New Times / Letter To The Editor

re: Confessions of a homophobe

Ann Calhoun

I’m so glad Otis Page finally explained his homophobia (“Confession of a homophobe,” Feb. 25). For years, he’s regularly written to express his opposition to all things gay, but he never made it clear just what it was about “The Gay” that bothered him so much. 

Now, with his “confession,” his fears are clear: Page believes that if all legal and social restraints against gay people are lifted, “ … what excuse would a heterosexual have in not indulging in same-sex sexual excursions?” In other words, lift society’s legal and social opprobrium against gay people, and straight people (including himself?) would suddenly be unable to contain their suppressed sexual urgings and would want to have sex with gay people. 

I’ve long suspected that repressed (and feared and hated) homosexuality was at the heart of homophobia, but it was refreshing to read a confession that finally spelled it out so clearly and honestly.  Now Page’s future jeremiads will make a little more sense. But I’m afraid he’s going to be in for a huge disappointment: Granting gay people equal legal rights and social respect as full citizens won’t cause straight people to go gay, and won’t stop Page’s forbidden, fearful urges.