Kempson Responds

In response to the letter from members of the Anti-Racist Study Group on Sexuality, I see several questions that need discussion. What is the definition of a gay and lesbian community? Does such a community have a basis for existence and if so, what is that basis? The group's letter deconstructs the categorization of sexuality and concludes that sexuality is not a viable basis for political organizing, yet continues to refer to "our community" and to use the words "gay" and "lesbian." As was asked of me, who are "we?" The letter says there is not a real basis of unity among all gay people, but then asserts that we need to recognize that gay people are multi-dimensional. Who should be considered a part of such a community?

I would agree with the group's analysis, that the full range of human sexuality is compartmentalized artificially in our society. The categories of gay, straight and bisexual are arbitrary. I would not claim that there is some "essence" all gay and lesbian people share. I would, however, assert that there is a certain behavior that we all have in common. It is our sexual attraction to and sexual activity with members of the same sex. That is the target of the oppression and it is our bond. Yes, sexuality is a social construction. So is race. Because of these constructions, racism and homophobia exist in an irrational world. The greatest challenge that gay people present to the world is a conception of sexuality which is not limited to certain behaviors like heterosexual monogamy.

Even the most closeted man will consider himself gay for one reason - he wants to have sex with another man. Of course values and politics play into our choice of sexual partners. But there is a definite biological component to that attraction. And it is one based on sex. Sex is never "casual" nor is it something without "ideas or principles." The act of a woman who is open, visible and feels complete pride in her sexual passion for another woman is incredibly radical and threatens the very foundations of a patriarchal society.

So, are gay white men in the boardrooms of America part of our community? I can answer with an unequivocal yes. I might not like everyone who is gay or lesbian. I may have a radically different political agenda than many of them. But anyone who has the courage to consider themselves gay or lesbian and contradicts homophobic, heterosexist oppression deserves my respect and support. Each person who comes out, if only to themselves, makes the world a little safer for all of us. As the group states, we need to recognize that gay people have many different and conflicting interests. That's what Pride is all about, the celebration of our community's immense diversity. Working class drag queens of color were at Stonewall and the arrest of a lesbian sparked the riots. l'm a white middle-class man. We are everywhere and there is room enough for all of us. I have no interest in knowing what the criteria are to fit the group's definition of gay and lesbian.

Some final words about stereotypes and language. There was internal debate here at AGENDA about the use of the word "fuck." I was adamant about its use because I wanted to employ language that was sex positive and indicated that at its base, the lesbian and gay community finds its energy, its very life, in unmitigated sexual passion. How this ties into "misleading stereotypes" is beyond me. I never said anything that indicated that anonymous sex was the exclusive domain of homosexuals. I would never deny that there is anonymous sex in the straight as well as gay communities. The comment came from personal experience. I have made love and I have had anonymous sex in the sauna. Both have been pleasurable and satisfying experiences and I do not find anything "dehumanizing" in either activity. No doubt, many other parts of my life might be categorized as stereotypical. I take luxuriant baths and also have been known to enjoy a facial on occasion. Sometimes I wear an earring. I love Madonna, Edith Piaf and the movies of Bette Davis. I read Vogue when l'm at the pool. "A Woman Named Jackie" is at the top of my summer reading list. I will even confess to having a crush on Kevin Costner. And I would have sex with him no matter what his political convictions might be. It is the way I am and will continue to be. In the spirit of Stonewall and gay liberation, I refuse to conform to any standard of legitimacy constructed by someone else, whether they are straight or gay.