Groups gather for human sexuality summit

[Chauga]

Researchers want to talk about sex, and not just the naughty bits. Academics, social scientists and policy makers from around the world are gathering this week at San Francisco State University for a conference on human sexuality and the "moral panics" caused by such charged topics as homosexuality, abortion and sex education.

And while there's plenty of talk about Hollywood, masturbation and all topics titillating, the premise is that ignorance and intolerance about sex have disastrous consequences — whether it's an inadequate response to AIDS, the stigma suffered by rape survivors or teenagers having unsafe sex.

"Better sexuality education will raise public knowledge and lead to positive public policy," said Gilbert Herdt, director of the National Sexuality Resource Center based at San Francisco State.

These are ticklish times for sexuality specialists — even as some scoff at the theory that Americans fed on "Sex and the City" and "Elim-a-Date" are undereducated on X-rated matters.


http://www.al.com/newsflash/national/index.ssf?/base/national-46/1119201895299320.xml&storylist=national

[liberal N proud]

1. And I am sure the Reich Wingers and the Pro-Birth people will be out

there protesting the whole thing.
They wouldn't want anyone to find out that Sex is a normal and enjoyable human fact.

[TwentyFive]

2. What is the cure for closeted, self-hating gays who get into politics?

At last count, there are at least a dozen closeted, self-hating gays leading the republican anti-gay charge. George Bush, Karl Rove and Rush Limbaugh are just 3 closeted gays they could study. It's well known that Adolph Hitler was a closeted homosexual, as were many others in the Nazi leadership.

Although this may sound like I'm being funny, I am not. This is a serious public health issue.

[Prodemsouth]

5. Actually people always use charges of homosexuality

on their political opponents. They will try to amplify anything to make that charge. One of the oldest tricks in the book to smear people. Shows Gay people still got a long way to go. Hitler was not a homosexual. When the chips were down and it was crunch time he was in the arms of the opposite sex.

[TwentyFive]

7. Not meant as a smear against gays.

There are many cases of anti-gay politicans leading a secret gay life. As far as the 'smear' issue goes...if they are closeted...at best, the evidence will be hearsay. In fact, in the 1950's Liberace won a lawsuit against a paper who said he had male lovers.

As far as Hitler is concerned, there are books written about his sex life, and homosexual affairs had been reported. Furthermore, more reports do examine homosexuality within the Nazi mevement. What makes this interesting to study, is the Nazi persecution and killing of at least 50,000 homosexuals. If you are the sort that needs hard evidence (no pun intended), this will not do it for you.

I do think it is a worthy issue to explore why closeted gays go into politics, and then lead the charge against gay issues.

[Prodemsouth]

9. Yes I am one who needs "hard" evidence- There are many books

who have refuted this claim about Hitler as well. Unlike right wingers and apparently some left wingers too, I am not one who believes everyone I disagree with politically or find objectionable is a closeted homosexual. After WW2, Hitler was the worst of a human being. The treatment of gay holocaust survivors by liberating US troops is not one that I think many here would be proud of. Words implying one is homosexual is the worst charge you can make against anyone back then or today even above murder. I do agree that there are closeted homosexuals who do lead the charge or make anti gay statements and political decisions. Roy Cohn, the Mayor of Spokane, many others, but I don't think it is as common as you imply. I take note in your use of "hard evidence- no pun intended" in discussing something that is not a laughing matter.

[Yupster]

6. It's "well known"

that Hitler was gay??

That's news to this old history teacher and textbook author.

If I was still teaching, I'd cross that out in red and change "well known" to "long speculated."

I think most historians would agree that it looks like the one great love in Hitler's life was his niece Geli who killed herself.

There's been lots of speculation of whether Hitler was gay or not, but no decent evidence though whole books have been written on the subject.

I'd think most gay would be happy to keep him a hetero maniac rather than a gay one.

Bush, Rove and Limbaugh? No idea. What's the evidence for them?

[TwentyFive]

8. Good point! Poor choice of words on my part.

I should have said something closer to, "the speculation over Hitler's homosexuality is well known."

When talking about closeted gays, at best, the most evidence you will ever have is hearsay.

I have no personal evidence for Bush or Limbaugh. However, there are people who claim to have had affairs with them, and/or have known about the affairs. Jeff Gannon, a known gay prostitute, made numerous visits to the WH, many of which were made outside of normal business hours.

As for Rove, I was in an Austin, TX gay bar in the early 90's and remember talking with a guy who looked exactly like him. We debated politics. He was very astitute, very conservative - and I was very impressed with him. People have seen Karl Rove frequent gay bars in Austin, TX and DC. But, if you asked me to swear that this guy was Karl Rove, I would not do it.

So I look at the facts and draw conclusions. From what I have deduced about Limbaugh, I'm willing to bet that he is gay. Ditto for Karl Rove. But some people need hard evidence, and I can certainly respect that.

But, in the 1950's, Liberace sued and won a judgement against a newspaper for reporting that he was a homosexual - so, you must admit that many of these closeted gays can stay that way. I don't have a problem with that...unless they become an anti-gay politican.

[Rich Hunt]

3. I don't think that...

I don't think that 'Sex and the City' or 'Elimidate' are the equivalent of sex education.

[VegasWolf]

4. The Holy Babble is not a sex education manual. nt