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The Tidings' review of Beyond Gay The following review appeared in the October 22 edition of The Tidings, the archdiocesan newspaper for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The reviewer is Father Peter Liuzzi O. Carm, a Carmelite priest who serves as the director of the Archdiocese Office of Gay and Lesbian Ministry. I fear Father Liuzzi's biases prevent him from offering an even-handed review of the book. First, aside from spelling my name incorrectly throughout, Father Liuzzi's prolog reveals his predisposition. In his juxtaposing allegedly "homosexual persona" against an allegedly "heterosexual world," Father Liuzzi's unveils a worldview apparently as black and white, gay and straight, as the most virulent anti-gay personalities and organizations. My point in identifying people as "same-sex attracted" was to move away from the gay/straight paradigm promulgated by Liuzzi and others. This approach, where all people with any degree of attraction are dumped into the same boat, hung with the same label, needlessly and falsely dehumanizes people by subsuming their essential individuality beneath a label. Instead I focused on the fact the people living with same-sex attraction are first people, and that we can and should hear and respond to Christ's call in our lives as other people do. Second, I find deeply ironic that Liuzzi dismisses my experiences as a man with same-sex attraction more or less out of hand for failing "to reflect their experience and struggles" of a "majority of homosexual persons." I never claimed to be telling the story of the majority but instead to share what God has done in one life and how Christ is calling the same-sex attracted, as he calls all people, into deeper discipleship with Himself. Father Luizzi appears concerned that the Church might even reiterate this loving call by persisting to declare a truth that might, he condescends, not be "suitable" for the homosexual majority. I can only remind Father that Jesus was not terribly known for tailoring his appeal to the majorities of his day but stressed only, as I have tried to, remaining faithful to the message. Still, Father did concede that Beyond Gay might be useful to some people and I can only urge you to give the book a chance to see if it might be useful to you. David Morrison
BEYOND GAY is a new book whose very title sends a clear message. Being gay or lesbian, or if you prefer, being a homosexual person, is not easy. Homosexual persona live in a heterosexual world where everyone is assumed to be heterosexual. This assumption comes with clear expectations, customs, benefits, blessings, approval and clear moral standards. Lest there be any misunderstanding, there are rewards and punishments for behaviors that may raise doubts. There are some who will resort to violence when all else fails. What must it feel like to be a homosexual person? What is it like to be the parent of a homosexual child? David Morris, [sic] author of BEYOND GAY, offers an answer that will appeal to anyone who sees homosexuality as a problem and wants a solution, a release, a remedy or even a cure. Morris [sic] hints at his message when he refers to homosexuality as "same-sex attraction." Homosexuality is identified with genital activity. Lest one miss his single focus, he adds a most lurid description of a personal male-to-male genital activity that, if not pornographic, is certainly inappropriate and borders on the sensational. If homosexuality is nothing more than same-sex attraction, who would not want deliverance? And what decent person would not join in an all-out war against such attractions? There are many homosexual Catholics who have made peace with their orientation. They continue to struggle, like all of us, with the call to live chaste lives. They struggle with their human needs for intimacy, for commitment and for meaning as sexual beings. They are not preoccupied with sex. Church documents that treat homosexuality speak of it as an orientation which is discovered, not freely chosen and rarely open to change. It appears that Morris [sic] is simply denying that homosexuality is or can be someone's orientation. Such a position is not supported by church documents. I believe that David Morris' [sic] approach will be helpful to some homosexual persons. I would not want to stand in the way of any homosexual person who would want to adapt Morris' [sic] approach. Yet, I would caution the church not to give unquestioned approval to such a narrow focus. His approach is not suited to the majority of homosexual persons and fails to reflect their experience and struggles. Should the church simply abandon or dismiss the majority? Does Morris appreciate the enormity and complexity of homosexuality? Is homosexuality a problem or a mystery that we have to learn to live with? Rev. Peter Liuzzi, O. Carm. (Carmelite Father Peter Liuzzi is director of Lesbian and Gay Ministry for the Los Angeles Archdiocese.) |