From: JimFour@aol.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 16:53:24 EST
Subject: what has been revealed to me in this discussion of Buddhism and

I am sadden to say to members of this gay male Buddhist listserve 
(gbof@egroups.com) and to members of the Shnga e-list that my fear about how 
Buddhist practice has at its core a huge spiritual closet for lesbian and gay 
people is becoming confirmed in the posts here on the subject of 
homosexuality.  Admittedly the redirection of sexual energy can have a very 
powerful reward. But history has also taught us the repression of sexual 
desire can result in very repressive, destructive behavior. Note the 
preponderance of pedophile in the Roman Catholic clerical  world and the 
history of misogyny in most spiritual practices led by heterosexual men. I do 
not deny that for some a life of celibacy is a conscious choice and a 
rewarding one spiritually for those so called to its path. I have no quarrel 
with those who seek this path. For me to deny sexual desire and gay and 
lesbian identity is to not only not confront homophobia, but to be complicit 
with its message that homosexuality is wrong. All this talk of transcending 
identity and detaching sex acts from love (in all its dimension and meaning 
including personal love) tells me: not this path, not this journey for you 
Jim.

I have seen far too many gaymen detach their sexual activity from love and 
affection. The dis-ease of sexual compulsion and objectification is rampant 
in the gay male community. I have also seen it acted out in the spiritual 
community under the mask of detachment and ritual. I have not seen this 
detachment from identity to heal either the objectification or the compulsive 
behavior. To me, denial simply masks the soul sickness.  

To all those who disagree with me,  please lets us not fight over 
interpretations of text and engage in intellectual debate. Each of us 
hopefully lives his and her life as best we can and hopefully the Buddha 
light can shine within each of us as we journey towards enlightenment, inner 
peace and equality in all our relations. May we continue to sit and meditate 
together. ...blessed be.
Jim Fouratt