What keeps the homophobic machine rolling.

July 27, 2007 by Pastor Dan.

linch pin –noun

1. a pin inserted through the end of an axletree to keep the wheel on.

2. something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together. Example: “The monarchy was the linchpin of the nation’s traditions and society.” Also, lynchpin.

[Origin: 1350–1400; unexplained alter. of ME lynspin, equiv. to lyns, OE lynis axle-pin (c. G Lünse) + pin pin]

This word came to me as I look at the homophobia in cdhurch and society. Week after week I marvel at the constant hatred and bigotry which bubble out of the right wingnuts of our society. There is such determination, authority, and financial backing for homophobia and its political right-wing agenda. Why?

A linchpin is the pin through the end of an axle to keep the wheel from slipping off. So the linchpin which keeps the wheels of the Religious Right turning, rather than slipping off and falling flat, is whatever it takes to complete their agenda.

And it seems to me that the linchpin of the socio-political agenda to deprive lesbian/gay, bisexual and transgender people of their rights, their voice, their dignity and safety is the whole “ex-gay” apparatus.

Most of us who have looked at these issues for more than a moment can see right through the “ex-gay” thing. It is contrived, ill-conceived, hiding behind a mask of voodoo science. But it is a linch-pin. As long as the well-funded religious right goes on insisting that gay and lesbian people have a choice — that their sexuality is not innate but chosen — and as long as they wave the thread-bare flag of “change” (i.e., get therapy, repent, quit the “lifestyle”), they can convince the rest of society that LGBT people do not deserve “special rights,” protection from hate crimes, or even civility and respect.

Wayne Besen has written extensively about the myths and lies of the “ex-gay” phenomenon. His book Anything But Straight [Harrington Park Press, 2003] is a must-read. Besen is the executive behind TWO: Truth Wins Out, and runs a list serve and posted daily news commentary here on the subject of the lies and myths which perpetuate homophobic bigotry, crime and political manipulation. Anything But Straight will leave you laughing, crying and gasping at how the willful right-wing political plan to deceive the American people with absolute lies and myths can keep on going when it should have fallen flat — all because of a linch-pin holding things together.

—Pastor Dan Hooper, Los Angeles

Posted in Fundamentalism, Public Affairs, Ex-Gay | Print | No Comments »