We are all human and as such we all have our failings and peccadilloes.
I for example, sometimes sneak downstairs in the middle of the night and steal a scoop or two of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream—an ice cream specially bought and specially reserved for our grandson when he visits us.
Some of us have some more serious character flaws such as disliking Republicans. But then again, others–not too many– intensely dislike Democrats.
Still, these are relatively minor flaws for which, I am sure, we will be forgiven some day.
I don’t know, however, about those who dislike gays and lesbians. Well, perhaps this could be a venial sin.
Then there are those who seriously hate gays. Now we are straying into purgatory territory.
Climbing up the scale of failings, there are those who not only hate gays, but who also demonize them, preach against them, legislate against them and even form groups and organizations solely devoted to disenfranchising, dehumanizing and criminalizing a large group of Americans and their lifestyle.
But way at the apex in this pyramid of failings and hate, in my opinion, are those who do all of the above and, in addition, turn out to be of the same sexual orientation as those they have been hating, demonizing, persecuting and dehumanizing.
I hardly have words for this type of person, except to say that they are the most contemptible and, at the same time, the most pitiable hypocrites.
And it seems that there is no shortage of such “revelations” lately. Of course, former NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality) board member, George Rekers is the latest such hypocrite to be forced out of the closet and joins others such as Mark Foley, Larry Craig and Ted Haggard.
Mr. Rekers is also a co-founder with James Dobson of the Family Research Council and has been an expert witness—and expert moneymaker—in several anti-gay legislation and legal cases.
In a New York Times column today, enigmatically titled “A Heaven-Sent Rent Boy,” Frank Rich appropriately refers to Rekers as “the Zelig of homophobia” and exposes Mr. Rekers’—and others’—distasteful and, in my opinion, unforgivable hypocrisy. Please read it.
CODA:
Not all is lost for Mr. Rekers. He can keep his NARTH stationery and jointly with Foley, Craig, Haggard et al, found a new NARTH, a “National Association for Research and Therapy on Hypocrisy.”
