In a discussion often resembling a tabloid talk show, students for the

Advancement of Civil Liberties held an open forum on the religious,

societal and historical implications of homosexuality Monday in the

University Center Auditorium.

The program began with six panelists of differing views on homosexuality

making four-minute introductions to acquaint the audience with their

opinions. Afterward, the discussion opened to questions from the

floor.

The panelists speaking on behalf of the acceptance of homosexuality

included Rev. Bruce Grimsley, professed homosexual and founder of

Cross-Over Ministries (founded to convert gays through the gospel of Jesus

Christ), and two female impersonators, Angel Collins and Tina Chandler.

Collins and Chandler made their entrance to a lip-synched performance of

Madonna’s “Vogue”.

Collins said gays should be treated like everyone else because they are no

different.

“I’m just living my life just like everybody else,” he said. “I’ve got my

own cross to bear, I just carry it in a different way than other

people.”

The panelists speaking against homosexuality included Rev. Mark Moreland

from Central Baptist Church of Bearden; Jay Henderson, a former homosexual

turned straight through a religious experience; and UT student Kevin

Baskette, who believes homosexuality is wrong.

Baskette garnered a few boos and hisses from the packed auditorium for his

introductory speech in which he reviled homosexuals and their “alternative

lifestyles.”

“I think it’s their choice to be gay,” he said. “I think they do it for

attention. It’s wrong, not to mention disgusting.”

Sina Bahadoran, SACL personnel director and moderator of the forum asked

each of the gay and formerly gay panelists when their first sexual

experience took place.

Grimsley, Collins, and Henderson said their first sexual experiences came

in the form of abuse in early childhood, but Collins refused to say the

experience made him a homosexual.

“Even before age 5, I knew I was different,” he said.

Henderson said homosexual tendencies can develop on their own, but it

usually comes from a non-connection with the same-sex parent that leads to

a search for male approval. Moreland said he sees deficits in familial

relationships with homosexuals he has encountered, but he cannot make that

generalization for everyone.

When discussion opened to audience questions, several people said they were

gay and asked why homosexuals were so hated in American society.

Holly McLeary, a sophomore in sport management, said she initially came to

see the female impersonators perform, but she apologized when she saw the

abuse directed toward the gay panelists by certain audience members.

“I just have a sick, sad feeling for the way Christian people handle

themselves around people who aren’t the same,” she said. “It looks bad for

Christianity and I wanted them to know not everybody is like that.”