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Compiled By GayToday
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is being accused by other lesbians and
gays of "betraying the gay rights cause" and "selling out" to
heterosexuality.
The condemnation follows Tatchell's suggestion at a recent bisexual conference that "everyone is born with a bisexual potential" and that "the future is bisexual". "As homophobia declines and sexual orientation ceases to be an issue, more and more people are bound to be bisexual--not homosexual or heterosexual". Tatchell's comments (further details below) have provoked a storm of criticism from some other gays and lesbians. The criticisms include: "You are betraying the gay rights cause and letting down the whole gay community"
"The bigots must be loving your stupid anti-gay comments" "The idea that homosexuality will be replaced by bisexuality devalues the gay experience and perpetuates the myth that people can choose their sexual orientation" "You make homosexuality look like a passing fad". "That sort of bisexual nonsense made my early life a misery" "I am amazed that any self-respecting gay rights campaigner can spout such self-oppressive homophobia" The criticisms have continued unabated ever since Tatchell addressed the 6th International Bisexual Conference in Manchester on Saturday 26 August 2000. His keynote speech was entitled: Beyond Homosexuality & Heterosexuality. "Everyone is born with a bisexual potential. Bisexuality is the future", said Tatchell.
"As homophobia declines and sexual orientation ceases to be an issue, more and more people are bound to be bisexual--not homosexual or heterosexual". "Straights will feel less inhibited about same-sex relationships and gays will be less obsessed with maintaining their pure homosexual identity. Sexual fluidity and flexibility will become the norm", said Tatchell. Jack Nichols, senior editor at GayToday, backed Peter Tatchell's comments by quoting from a GAY editorial Nichols long ago co-authored with Lige Clarke, one that was published in the first issue of America's first gay weekly newspaper in November, 1969:
In fact, GAY believes that there is only one world, and that labels and categories such as homosexual and heterosexual will some day pass away leaving human beings who, like this publication, will be liked and appreciated not because of sexual orientation, but because they are themselves interesting. GAY believes that happiness is a natural state of mind for the well-integrated, well-balanced person. Thus, GAY will mean “Joy” as well as homosexual and its writers will take the time to laugh in the midst of grave questions. Of Tatchell, Nichols said: “He's a visionary. He simply expresses views certain pioneers have held for a very long time, I'm sure. People who find a secure gay or straight identity niche are often loathe to leave it. Peter Tatchell knows this, yet he sees how natural it is that imagination and curiosity will begin turning same-sex relations into commonplaces in the near future, though not necessarily in exclusive or fixed patterns. “It will take a while for such an adventuresome curiosity in erotic/emotional relations to blossom openly on either side of the gay-straight continuum, but it will happen. Bright people are explorers. As the gay taboo withers away, conventionally sexual people will eat—as Adam and Eve reportedly did-- of the forbidden fruit.” |
Peter Tatchell 
Jack Nichols 
© 1997-2000 BEI