In March 1998, I received an E-mail communication from a self-confessed homosexual congratulating me on my pamphlets Baron's Guide To Gay Sex and Gay Rights: Rhetoric And Reality, which he had read on Usenet. After responding to him I received another E-mail. His two E-mails - but not mine - are published here for the first time. I have of course preserved his anonymity. I have to say I found them both very thoughtful and very moving.
Alexander Baron,
July 14, 2002
Dear Mr. Baron, I recently came across your postings on "The Trojan Horse of 'Gay Rights'" and your "Guide to Gay Sex" and felt that I had to write you. I know that it is presumptuous of me to do so. I hope that you will not mind this unsolicited response to your writing. There is something about the clarity and directness of your writing that affects me deeply, even if I don't always agree with your conclusions. I found the analysis of "gay rights" particularly brilliant. It confirms many things that I have thought myself, though coming at the question from a very different perspective. I am a homosexual, but I deeply respect normal people and have become very uneasy over the whole question of "political correctness." I was struck by your observation that the passage of "hate crimes" and "hate speech" legislation is apt to make normal people hate queers even more because it will make them blame queers for the loss of their liberty. I would add that "anti-gay speech" and "anti-gay jokes" are often a way for normal people to simply vent their natural aversions to homosexuality and that if the state tries to curb that, it could cause people to take out their frustrations in more harmful ways, like gay bashing, etc. I must also add that I respect your willingness to speak your mind and tell the truth as you see it. While I don't agree with all you say, I'd much rather have someone say what they really believe than to use euphemisms or cloak their beliefs in a veneer of "political correctness." As a homosexual, I am often embarrassed by the actions and beliefs of gay activists. It seems to me that as a small minority, homosexuals should be much more deferential to the ideas and beliefs of people whose sexual responses are normal. In the long run, that seems to me to be only sensible since the overwhelming majority of people are normal sexually and will be controlling the role of homosexuals in society. Moreover, in the case of homosexuals, our sexual instincts are such that what seems natural to us is really unnatural (if you can follow what I mean here). Hence, it is very difficult for those of us who are queer to have accurate insights about questions of gender or sexuality. I think intelligent normal men and women should be our guides in such matters. I must also thank you for your comments about equality before the law and about your being in favor of the 1967 sex law reform. I know how much you are revolted by homosexual acts, so I am grateful for your moderation and tolerance of homosexual individuals. I hope you do not mind corresponding with a homosexual. I would be very pleased to hear more of your thoughts on the subject (including questions of etiology) and on how homosexuals and homosexuality should be treated in society. I am also willing to answer any questions you may have of me. Of course, I realize that you are a busy man and that you may not in any case want to correspond with a homo. Again, thank you for your analysis. With best wishes,
Dear Mr. Baron, Thank you so much for your message. It is very generous of you to respond to me. Let me say again how much I appreciate your writings on homosexuality. They are so powerful and seem to speak so directly to me. I am especially grateful for the compassion you express in your message. It is especially meaningful precisely because your revulsion at homosexual practices is expressed so clearly. You are not just making "liberal feel good" noises. I appreciate your ability to feel for the human dilemmas queers like me face even as you are outspoken about your natural aversion to homosexuality itself. I share your feelings about the euphemism "gay" and appreciate your plainspeaking. I also share your concerns about the erosion of individual rights. Again, thank you for your kindness in responding to me. Sincerely, ***