Try to get your gay frat facts straight

Any good true anti-gay fraternity activist would have done a better job than Mr. Deininger at offering what turns out to be a totally stereo-typical, fear-based attempt to discredit the formal organization of gay men on campus in terms of a fraternity.

Using selective statistics he culled from the Web site of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases at www.niaid.nih.org, for which he gave the incorrect URL, Mr. Deininger argues that because a higher amount of new cases are recorded each year for men who have sex with men (MSM), a formal organization on campus of men who could potentially become sexual partners could lead to higher levels of AIDS at the university.

Even without attacking the obvious basis of hatred and homophobia from which this statement surfaces, one can see the obvious flaw in the logic he presents when all of the information known about sexual behaviors of college-aged populations are taken into account. Mr. Deininger's claim assumes that gay men, when formally organized, will have more sex than any other formal group of potential sexual partners, that because there are less cases of heterosexual sex on record that their contribution to any campus AIDS statistics are negligible, and that the behavior of gay men in a fraternity would be somehow more risky and unsafe than in a heterosexual fraternity or sorority. However, other information, which he conveniently chose not to mention, from the same Web site does not support his claim.

If he had read a bit further, he would have noticed that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that the number of cases recorded for MSM has declined to about only 1,000 more cases than those recorded by those who contracted it in heterosexual encounters. When the fact is taken into account that MSM are more likely to get tested than their heterosexual counterparts and thus more likely to be recorded, then another wrench is thrown into his mechanically-programmed logic. Additional statistics show that from 1985 to 2002, the proportion of adult/adolescent AIDS cases in the United States reported in women increased from 7 percent to 26 percent, and another recent study in our neighboring state of Utah showed that 90 percent of the populations with AIDS in Utah are men. Should we conclude, based on Mr. Deininger's claim, that this is due to MSM?

Anyone with half of a brain must come to the realistic conclusion that increases in AIDS transmission is highly associated with heterosexual contact as well as with MSM, and that a formal organization for gay men does not put the campus at risk of an AIDS breakout. Studies show that for gay men, a lack of social support leads to unsafe behavior, while decreases in social risk and increases in safer sex discussions are associated with companionship and comfort.

Understanding this suggests that having a formal organization where gay men can gain these much needed resources in such a homophobic society may likely decrease unsafe contact or sexual promiscuity versus rampant unsafe sexual behaviors. There is not a shred of evidence to support that when potential partners organize in a social group more sexual contact than normal occurs. If this were the case, should we then not be concerned about all formal coed campus organizations, since all heterosexual women are potential partners for heterosexual men? More specific to the plight of fraternities and sororities is the fact that alcohol plays a major part in increased sexual and unsafe behaviors. This seems to be more of an important factor of focus for those who are truly concerned about curbing negative consequences that stem from the sexual behaviors of American youth. Since Mr. Deininger stated that he is in no way against gay people or gay culture, then I am sure that this issue serves as his true motivation and surely not any kind of moral superiority or discriminatory ideal that has been a part of this society since its inception.

Brian N. Hewlett

doctoral candidate

department of sociology

Letter to editor attacked gay lifestyle, culture

I am writing this letter in response to the idea of not having a gay fraternity on campus. For starters, the Daily Wildcat is not supposed to publish anything that is considered a personal attack; as a gay man, I considered the article "Gay frat would increase campus AIDS cases" an attack on my lifestyle and culture. The comment "Creating a gay frat is a terrible idea and I hope that it doesn't happen as long as I go here" is a personal attack to me. Now, I understand the point that some are OK with gays "as long as I am not involved," but if your best friend were to come out to you and tell you he was gay, would you no longer be a part of his life? That is shallow. And believe it or not, that attitude is against gays and gay culture. The idea of a gay frat being a "horrible idea" shows how arrogant and closed-minded people still are. I have to wake up every morning knowing that there are people in the world that hate me.

I would like to point out that nowhere in the statistics from NIAID.com does it directly connect the numbers to the gay community. The fact clearly states "Approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occur each year in the United States." The statistic is a fallacy because it is true but without stating the full facts. It is implying that the statistic is aimed toward gays only, when in context it clearly shows the United States as a whole. Also, in what regards does "roommate drama" differ from coed dorms? Straight people can just as easily walk over to their neighbor's room and have sex. Just because we would be roommates does not imply that we would have sex. I imagine straight people do not have sex with all of their dorm mates.

Also, the article implies that this gay frat would turn into some kind of STD breeding ground and become a brothel. Our campus is considered an open campus, and a house can be created based on common interest and background. And besides, gay people would still have sex with or without a gay fraternity.

Max Kellogg

undeclared freshman

UA hoops needs some championship-caliber fans

You know the crowd is weak when the commentators say, "This game sounds like a golf match." This is all I heard from Bob Elliot during this week's basketball game against Wyoming. Everyone says that we want championship-caliber teams, but is anyone willing to be a championship-caliber fan? Did we forget that our basketball team is ranked high in the top 25 in the country? Since we didn't have too much to cheer for during football season (although we won the last two of three games) our voices should be rested and ready for basketball season. Although there are times when we get loud, keep it up! Let's give the Cameron Crazies a run for their money.

Richard Jacobs

retailing and consumer sciences senior

Gay frat wouldn't increase AIDS/HIV on campus

I am writing in response to Mr. Deininger's letter that a gay frat would increase the incidence of AIDS/HIV on campus. This belief is so preposterous, narrow-minded and prejudiced. Although I am not gay, I do not feel as if I would suddenly become more susceptible simply because of the existence of a gay frat. Although your statistics are correct, they do not correlate to the subject at hand. Young people of all sexual preferences are getting AIDS; however, the most marked growth is in young heterosexuals. This information would lead one to think that non-gay frats and sororities should not be allowed as they provide an environment conducive to body fluid sharing. The thought that gays living together in one house would heighten the health risks at campus is ludicrous. These generalizations speak wonders for the broadening of mind the university purports to provide.

Julie Eastman

geological engineering senior

Letter full of 'ignorance' about gay culture

In response to a recent letter to the editor that suggested AIDS/HIV cases would increase at the UA with the establishment of a gay fraternity, I say well done in providing readers with a dose of the ignorance that is still too common in our society. Clearly a person is against gay people and gay culture when he or she is against allowing them the same rights as heterosexual students.

The unfortunate misconception about the gay community is that we are a group of sex-starved, dramatic, misled animals that when thrown in a room together, automatically proceed to getting it on. On the contrary, gays pride themselves on developing bonds built on unity, support, education, and acceptance and use groups like fraternities to do so. These men are looking to each other for the emotional support and connection they lack from a society that does not fully accept them yet, not for a hook-up. Sure, it will be hard for a gay fraternity to reach that same level of purity and reverence that only traditional fraternities can, but I would bet it can get pretty close. Also, while the HIV/AIDS rate is higher among men, the overall rate of HIV/AIDS is increasing in this country in both men and women. But I'm sure none of these infections occur from the unprotected heterosexual sex that occurs at traditional fraternity parties, not possible! The problem with AIDS/HIV is that there are many people, still today, that believe it is solely a homosexual disease. Please stop using gays as a scapegoat for society's ills.

Daniel Tragesser

alumnus

Tortilla throwing not offensive, but sad

The following comments will be regarding Monday's publication of "Celebrate inoffensive tortilla throwing" and "Students have earned right to throw tortillas."

Cristine Sardina, a women's studies senior, said she is Mexican-American, and does not find the tortilla-throwing offensive. Rather, she embraces it as part of her culture. I too am Mexican-blooded and American-naturalized, and also do not find the throwing of tortillas offensive; rather it leaves a feeling of sadness. She is incorrect when she says that throwing tortillas is a part of her culture. I have never heard any such thing whatsoever. Moreover, we do not throw tortillas out of happiness; the only time we might throw tortillas would be because they are decomposing and thus not eatable. Please, instead of throwing tortillas, why don't all the graduating seniors who want to throw tortillas make some quesadillas, tacos or burritos for the hungry children, women and men? This will give them much more happiness and reduce their stress level.

Who came up with this type of celebration? From what race was this person? How old was this person? Was this person of a high-to-moderate income family or from a low-income family? Was this person racist? What were this person's views of the world? Why not throw hamburger or hot dog buns?

Most likely, this person preferred to throw tortillas than to feed people.

Daniel Camacho

molecular and cellular biology junior