April 12, 1984 · Cavalier Daily

Homosexual Choice an Act

This letter to the editor asserts that gays, like alcoholics, have moral agency in choosing whether to engage in homosexual acts. This agency over their sexual actions, the writer asserts, is independent of the fact that gays control their sexual orientation.

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Subject	College student newspapers and periodicals
Creator	James M. Guinivan
Source	Cavalier Daily
Publisher	Cavalier Daily
Date	1984-04-12

Text	Homosexual Choice an Act In last Friday's guest column, Mark Scott, while discussing homosexuality, the Gay Student Union and related issues, refers to the prayer which asks God to grant the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.â€ I found it interesting to note that this prayer was made well known, if not originated, among members of Alcoholics Anonymous. For the most part, alcoholics, like homosexuals, did not choose their condition, and even if they once did, they no longer have any choice about it. Nevertheless, they still have some degree of moral choice, however weakened it may be by their condition, over acts towards which that condition pushes them. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous help one another strengthen their power of moral choice and resist the impulses which they cannot control. Homosexual orientation, we may concede, cannot be changed. Homosexual action can. I trust Mr. Scott has the wisdom to know the difference. James M. Guinivan GSAS VI

Text

Homosexual Choice an Act
In last Friday's guest column, Mark Scott, while discussing homosexuality, the Gay Student Union and related issues, refers to the prayer which asks God to grant the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.â€
I found it interesting to note that this prayer was made well known, if not originated, among members of Alcoholics Anonymous. For the most part, alcoholics, like homosexuals, did not choose their condition, and even if they once did, they no longer have any choice about it.
Nevertheless, they still have some degree of moral choice, however weakened it may be by their condition, over acts towards which that condition pushes them. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous help one another strengthen their power of moral choice and resist the impulses which they cannot control.
Homosexual orientation, we may concede, cannot be changed. Homosexual action can. I trust Mr. Scott has the wisdom to know the difference.
James M. Guinivan
GSAS VI

Tags	LGBTQ Community, student publications
Date Added	August 7, 2016
Date Modifed	April 30, 2018
Collection	Cavalier Daily: articles about LGBTQ issues

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