Sexuality And Politics (Part 1)

DOES YOUR SEXUALITY automatically determine your politics? Are gay people predestined to be ‘liberal-leftist’ in orientation whilst straight people are automatically more ‘conservative’ in outlook?

Both the ‘left’ and ‘right’ seem to think so. For instance, the ‘left’ (particularly groups like the Socialist ‘Workers’ Party) seem to believe that they have the monopoly when it comes to supporting gay rights and attracting gay support. On the other hand, many on the ‘right’ would automatically reject – without a moments thought – anything said by, or relating to, gays. Indeed, as we have seen, some folks in groups like the United Kingdom Independence Party have – in the past – blamed storms and heavy floods that have raged across Britain on the Government’s decision to legalise gay marriage!

In this highly personal article, South Derbyshire-based Liam Clarke argues that both ‘left’ and ‘right’ have got it wrong. Indeed, he effectively argues for a ‘Third Way’ beyond their positions and claims that it is possible to be both gay and patriotic. This is the first of a two part article.

(Please note that the use of the phrase ‘Third Way’ in this introduction does not imply any official link with any organisation or group of a similar name, In the context of this article, and as stated above, it is used to convey the idea of a political position that is neither ‘left’ nor ‘right’ – indeed a political position that goes way beyond ‘left’ and ‘right’ as they are traditionally understood).

Queer Patriotism: From Alexander The Great To Turing And Beyond …

Alexander III of Macedon (356 – 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great. King, warrior, patriot … and gay?

I HAVE WARNED people many times about the dangers of extremism. Not just from a moral standpoint, but also from the point of safety. We know both extreme ‘left’ and ‘right’ have caused destruction, fear and death. But now the ‘right’ have made it personal – for there are ramblings from the ‘right’ that you cannot be patriotic and gay. I’m sure the intelligent among you can grasp the absolute stupidity of this statement. But what is needed, I think, is a greater look into the folly of this idea.

We start in Macedonia, with one of the most successful rulers in history, even more remarkable considering the present state of Greece in our modern age. I speak of Alexander the Great, the suffix of his name merely indicates the kind of man we are dealing with here. Here was a man who commanded one of the greatest empires in history, not one that he inherited, but one that he created. His military exploits are still of great interest today. Even today he is seen as a figurehead and hero for many in the nations of Southern Europe.

Alexander had many wives, but from the evidence we know that his greatest “beloved” was a man by the name of Hephaestion, his own bodyguard. It is clear that the death of Hephaestion shook the great King to his core, many historians arguing that this event contributed to the failing helath of Alexander.

The full extent of Alexander the Great’s empire.

At this point, it’s important to note that the relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion is put alongside that of Achillies and Patroclus (1 – 2) as well as bearing remarkable similarities to the love of David and Jonathan (3 – 4). Here, the former was said to love the latter “more than a woman”.

Before alarm bells start ringing, don’t you think that it’s strange that I’ve not yet mentioned sex? Should there need to be? You see as a homosexual for me it is not about sex, just as the most dedicated of heterosexual couples will tell you. The assumption is, however, from the less educated that to be a homosexual/bisexual is merley a love of anal intercourse. Rubbish! To love someone is to be lifted to a plain much higher than mere bodily pleasures, somewhere where no-one outside this union of two people can reach. Throughout ancient history, we see that the relationships between people of the same gender could have a two fold approach.

One approach, in my view, was a sign of dominance and power, especially when being performed as a Pagan rite. (Note that particularly hardline homophobes do not mention nor care about the fact that it was perfectly moral to have sex with every woman that took a mans fancy!) But with Alexander, Achillies, David, Hadrian and many more it seems that they had one special man in their lives, someone for whom they would live and die for. Granted many homosexual and indeed hetrosexual relationships in the Western world today do not adhere to this ‘one special person’ policy, and that is essentially what we should be discussing, not with whom.

(1) http://historyoftheancientworld.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/achilles-and-patroclus/

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles_and_Patroclus

(3) http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2012/were-david-and-jonathan-homosexual-lovers/

(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Jonathan