Alphabet Sexualities

For the six people who might still be interested, the Episcopal Church’s house of bishops has released a report on Same-Sex Relations in the Life of the Church . My former colleague Grant LeMarquand’s summary of the “conservative” position can be found here . The introduction says:

Perhaps the most interesting thing which happened during that question period was a short speech by Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, who expressed dissatisfaction with both papers and stated that it was time to move beyond speaking simply of “GLBT” (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) orientations: “there are so many other letters in the alphabet,” he said; “there are so many other sexualities to be explored.” He did not elaborate as to what those other sexualities and other letters of the alphabet might be.

In my days as an Episcopal activist, the designation of the allegedly oppressed sexual minority went from “lesgay” to “lesbigay” or “GLB” to “GLBT.” The minority progressively unveiled the real extent of their interests as they gained political success. The addition of the “bi” marked the significant change. Until then they could plausibly claim to want only what other people had. Although for a while they didn’t really admit they wanted something else;  long after the “bi” was added, the movement kept claiming to believe in monogamy and marriage, even though its “bi” members could not be “who they are” and monogamous.

I am sure one of the letters Robinson wants to add is “P” for “polyamory,” a subject I’ve written about here . (“Polygamy” in the title should be “polyamory.”)