Scott Stocking said the military’s nonacceptance of individuals with a homosexual orientation is a moral response to the presence of homosexuality in our culture. Morality has nothing to do with it.

Director of Central Intelligence Directive Number 1/14, (1987) states that “to be eligible for SCI access, individuals must be stable” and that “homosexual conduct is … to be considered as a factor determining an individual’s … stability” (p.10).

The government is thus setting itself up as the expert in the diagnosing of mental stability or instability.

Homosexuality, per se, is no longer considered a “mental illness” and the APA removed it from the DSM-III (1980) as a distinct diagnostic category.

Another line of argument that the government has used to dent full rights to homosexuals is that these people would be more open to blackmail and betray their country in order to cover their homosexuality.

The only way the government can know if a candidate is homosexual is if that candidate says so. If it is then acknowledged then how can they be a target for blackmail or traitorous activities?

It is interesting to note that of the 40 espionage cases documented by the FBI and Defense Intelligence Agency for the Senate Permanent Subcommitee on Investigations, none involved the blackmail of a gay person. How many involved sexual liaison of heterosexuals?

What disturbs me the most is Mr. Stocking’s identification of a campus minister. The message that he is proclaiming is contrary to the message of Jesus Christ. I am aware of what Paul says in Romans about homosexuality.

Paul was not writing a treatise on sexuality. It is necessary to put what he writes on sexuality (he does say that it would be preferable if everyone would maintain a celibate lifestyle) into the context of the gospel message. The gospel message is one of love.

Having watched close friends “come out of the closet” and struggle very hard with their sexual orientation and their need to express their love to another human being, I have come up with the following conclusion: I do not believe that the ultimate judgement is going to be based upon which sex we make love to, but rather, the quality of love.

Sex devoid of love is meaningless and degrading and contrary to the message of Jesus. I believe that heterosexuals and homosexuals will be judged according to the same standard—how are you measuring up?

Mark D. Morin

Graduate Student

Clinical Psychology