It’s one of the most commonly parroted expressions about homosexuality we hear in modern society: “I don’t have a problem with homosexuals, as long as they don’t flaunt it.”
On the surface, it sounds eminently reasonable. Though the United States is not a “Christian nation” per se, most of its populace is Christian. With the exception of a few denominations, Christians are dogmatically opposed to homosexuality and, for that matter, any extramarital expression of sexuality. Jews and Muslims, with regards to this issue, are in step with their Christian counterparts.
Aside from religious concerns, most Americans agree that, in a polite society, people should avoid overt public acknowledgment of their sexuality.
Inevitably, though, a question arises: What exactly does it mean to “flaunt” one’s homosexuality?
In December of last year, Belmont University, a private Christian school in Nashville, Tenn., asked women’s soccer coach Lisa Howe to resign. Her six-year tenure came to an end after she reportedly told her players that she and her lesbian partner were expecting a child.
In January, the university added homosexuality to their non-discrimination policy. However, this change is no more than a nominal revision because their rules still prohibit extramarital relationships. Because same-sex marriage is still nonexistent in Tennessee, a clarification such as this one provides little substantive protection for homosexuals employed at the institution.
Howe’s credentials as a coach were not in question. She led the team to a regular season Atlantic Sun conference championship last year and was, by all accounts, well liked by her players, who routinely received academic all-conference honors.
Did Howe “flaunt” her homosexuality? As far as we know, she did not tell her players a story peppered with graphic sexual details, which would likely be considered unacceptable regardless of her sexual orientation. She merely told them she was in fact a lesbian and she and her partner were expecting a child.
Why is this unacceptable? Do we as a society consider Howe’s announcement an attempt to flaunt her homosexuality? If the university or anyone else thinks Howe’s pride about her partner’s pregnancy is something she should have kept to herself, then perhaps some perspective is in order.
Recall, if you will, the widespread fascination with Drew Brees’s pregnant wife Brittany during the early part of the 2010 NFL season. The couple has been visible both locally and nationally since their arrival in New Orleans in 2006, and Brittany’s second pregnancy was no exception.
Besides being the fodder for countless human-interest stories, the pregnancy helped cement Brees’s reputation as a family man.
With all the attention Mrs. Brees pregnancy received, no one criticized Drew for “flaunting” his heterosexuality through his pregnant wife.
Many Americans consider homosexuality morally repugnant and some have well-articulated — if questionable — reasons for that position. That being said, homosexuals holding prominent positions in any community should not be forced to keep their family under lock and key so high-minded moralists can pretend they do not exist.
Chris Seemann is 20-year-old mass communication senior from New Orleans.
 
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