Word: pattullo
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...CONTROVERSIAL: LETTER that appeared in last week's Independent warrants the reprobation of the entire Harvard community, not just that of the Gay Students Association members who immediately--and rightly--blasted it. The suggestion by Edward L. Pattullo, director of the Center for Behavioral Sciences, that society should exert "negative social pressures to deter homosexuality, shows gross intolerance towards the gay community University officials should swiftly affirm that Pattullo's views are not Harvard...
...Pattullo's letter hinged on the fact that the causes of homosexuality remain unknown--that scholars are still unsure whether homosexuality is genetic or prompted by environmental factors. The conclusion he drew from the openness of the question is what is so distressing. Precisely because environmental factors may play a role in causing homosexuality. Pattullo concludes, it would be a "good thing" for society to act somehow to discourage homosexuality...
That the genesis of homosexuality remains uncertain, however, is exactly why society should not get involved. Sexual preferences may well be transmitted generally or early in childhood Penalizing homosexual behavior--or attaching a stigma to it by trying to discourage it--represents the most invidious form of discrimination Pattullo would treat an alternative lifestyle as pitiable and to be discouraged--though its proponents may have had no choice over their preferences...
...Center? Might not a researcher wonder if "negative social pressures" would include denying a proposal to study lesbian mothers or alcoholism among gay men? We wonder. We think the threat to academic freedom is made all the more chilling by the failure of responsible administrators to publicly disavow Pattullo's position...
Curiously, Engelmayer would have us excuse Pattullo's bigotry by thanking him for his honesty. This suggestion we reject as thoroughly as we do Pattullo's condescending, pity. Considering the precarious position of lesbian and gay students, research, and teaching--how many gay studies courses are there at Harvard?--Engelmayer's concern would be more justifiably focussed on the chilling effects of unrefuted bigotry than on the pitfalls of discouraging future bigots from revealing themselves. J. French Wall '83 GSA President Lenathan I. Handel '83 GSA Vice President