Objectification: In this scheme, people are sexual objects, but they are also subjects. This use of human bodies as objects is legitimate (not harmful) only when it is reciprocal. If one person is always object and the other subject, it stifles the human being in both of them. Objectification must also be open and frank.

Gay liberation people must understand that women have been treated exclusively and dishonestly as sexual objects. A major part of their liberation is to play down sexual objectification and to develop other aspects of themselves which have been smothered so long. We respect this. We also understand that a few liberated women will be appalled or disgusted at the open and prominent place that we put sex in our lives: and while this is a natural response from their experience, they must learn what it means for us.

For us, sexual objectifictaion is a focus of our quest for freedom. It is precisely that which we are not supposed to share with each other. Learning how to be open and good with each other sexually is part of our liberation. And one obvious distinction: objectification of sex for us is something we choose to do among ourselves, while for women it is imposed by their oppressors.

On positions and roles: Much of our sexuality has been perverted, and warped from self-hatred. These sexual perversions are basically anti-gay:

"I like to make it with straight guys."

"I'm not gay, but I like to be 'done.' "

"I like to fuck, but don't want to be fucked."

"I don't like to be touched above the neck."

We strive for democratic, mutual, reciprocal sex. This does not mean that we are all mirror images of each other in bed, but that we break away from roles which enslave us. We already do better in bed then straights do, and we can be better to each other than we have been.

Chicken and Studs: Nice bodies and young bodies are attributes, they're groovy. They are inspiration for art, for spiritual elevation. for good sex. The problem arises only in the inability to relate to people of the same age. or people who don't fit the plastic stereotypes of a good body. At that point, objectification eclipses people, and expresses self-hatred: "I hate gay people, and I don't like myself, but if a stud (or chicken) wants to make it with me, I can pretend I'm someone other than me."

A note on exploitation of children: kids can take of themselves, and are sexual beings way earlier than we'd like to admit. Those of us who began cruising in early adolescence know this, and we were doing the cruising. not being debauched by dirty old men. Scandals such as that in Boise, Idaho blaming a "ring" of homosexuals for perverting their youth are the fabrications of press and police and politicians. And as for child molesting, the overwhelming amount is done by straight guys to little girls: it is not particularly a gay problem,. and is caused by the frustrations resulting from anti-sex puritanism.

Perversion: We've been called "perverts" enough to be suspect of any usage of the word. Still many of us shrink from the idea of certain kinds of sex: with animals, sado/masochism. dirty sex (involving piss or shit). Right off, even before we take the time to learn any more, there are some things to get straight:

1) We shouldn't be apologetic to straights about gays whose sex lives we don't understand or share;

2) It's not particularly a gay issue, except that gay people probably are less hung up about sexual experimentation.

3) Even if we were to get into the game of deciding what's good for someone else, the harm done in these "perversions" is undoubtedly less dangerous or unhealthy than is tobacco or alcohol.