HOMOSEXUAL STUDIES at U. of Michigan

From Between the Coasts, I read this story which discusses a controversy at the University of Michigan over a course called "How to be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation," scheduled for this fall.

A family-values lobbyist is leading public opposition to the self-proclaimed "uncompromising political militancy" of the professor who teaches "lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender."

The lobbyist, Gary Glenn, says professor David M. Halperin and the university "are guilty of perpetrating a fraud against UM students and the people of Michigan [with] propaganda statements about so-called cultural studies and academic freedom" as they promote "queer studies" at taxpayer expense.

The course description says students "will examine a number of cultural artifacts and activities" including "camp, diva-worship, drag, muscle culture, taste, style and political activism." Mr. Halperin's class explores "the role that initiation plays in the formation of gay male identity."

The emphasis on "initiation" into homosexuality is what appears to be most offensive to conservatives like Mr. Glenn.

"We don't know what [Mr. Halperin] does in the classroom," the state AFA [American Family Association] president says in an interview. "It is outrageous that Michigan taxpayers are forced to pay for a class whose stated purpose is to 'experiment' with the 'initiation' of young men into a self-destructive homosexual lifestyle.

It is truly inappropriate for this course to be taught at a public institution funded with taxpayer dollars. As presented, the course does not address the overriding reason why a homosexual lifestyle should be avoided. And that is the self-destructive and dangerous nature of homosexuality. Specifically, whether male or female, homosexuals are destined for a much shorter life span than heterosexuals.

According to the results of research documented in The Homosexual Lifespan, and presented to the Eastern Psychological Association (4/17/93), the median age at death of male homosexuals is 40 compared to 75 for married men. For female homosexuals, median age at death is 45 compared to 79 for married women. The differences are explained by 1) very high homicide and suicide rates, 2) high death rates from motor vehicle accidents, and 3) high death rates from sexually transmitted diseases (especially AIDS).

The dismally abbreviated life span of homosexuals should be the first aspect discussed in any class on the subject. With that in mind, it appears there is no prudent reason for teaching a course celebrating homosexuality.