with a "gay" man who has been in a committed relationship for over 20 years.  "He's a wonderful, loving, person who wouldn't hurt a fly."  Then she tossed the lethal grenade, "Besides, they can't help that they're gay.  They were born that way."

Ahhh, the "gay gene" rationalization. 

I asked her why she believed they were born that way.  According to her, scientific studies have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that some people are born gay. Thus, homosexuality is as normal as heterosexuality.  I pointed out that data could be manipulated to reflect the bias of those conducting the studies, which is what happened in the "gay gene" study.  I also mentioned that I know a number of people who are former gays and that some of them are married, have children, and are no longer attracted to the same sex.  To that she huffed, "My friend says there is no such thing as a former gay, so your friends must not have been gay, they just thought they were." 

Even though the discussion got pretty heated at times, we both managed to keep our cool.  My goal was not to change her mind; only to pass on information she may not have heard before.  The conversation ended with Sandy having the last word: "As long as they're not hurting anyone they should be able to do whatever they want to."  Then she changed the subject. 

Not hurting anyone?  Dr. Tim Dailey, Senior Fellow for Cultural Studies at the Family Research Council, has documented certain studies that describe the many health and societal risks associated with the homosexual lifestyle.  In his recent book, Dark Obsession, Dr. Dailey notes,

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)--which can lead to anal cancer--infects over 90 percent of HIV-positive gay men, and 65 percent of HIV-negative gay men.

Gay men are at increased risk for contracting hepatitis--a potentially fatal liver disease that increases the risk of liver cancer.

Homosexuals acquire syphilis at a rate ten times that of heterosexuals. 

Men who have sex with men comprise the single largest exposure category of people with AIDS.  Homosexual men with HIV have a 37-fold increase in anal cancer, a 4-fold increase in Hodgkins disease, a 2.7-fold increase in cancer of the testicles, and a 2.5-fold increase in lip cancer.

Thirty-six percent of homosexuals engaging in unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex failed to disclose that they were HIV positive to casual sex partners.

(Continued on page 88)