Sexuality, Self and the Shape of Society
Holly Hanson
Participants in the two sessions of this workshop were eager to hear
insights on the Bahá’í teachings about sexuality and on how to
explain these teachings to non-Bahá’ís. One of the keys, said Hanson,
Bahá’í author and an assistant professor of history
at Mount Holyoke College, is to shift the focus away from society’s
emphasis on same-sex sexual desire—which fuels a polarized debate
between “gay-affirming” and “gay-rejecting” groups.
Both groups are sincere in their concerns, to the point of resisting
change. Yet the fundamental assumptions of both are the same: They define
human beings in terms of their desire and expect people to accomplish
their purpose in life through a romantic relationship.
In fact, human beings are not simply “‘bundles of desire’,
but develop themselves through love of God and service to others”
Hanson asserted, building her case with historical insights about sexuality
in America that helped participants see where such views originated.
Participants expressed their concerns and comments about the issue
of homosexuality and the challenges that individual Bahá’ís and
Bahá’í institutions face when confronted with this sensitive issue.
Hanson explained that the Bahá’í revelation has brought a new
way of viewing reality that rejects the oppressive gender roles of our
society. Our challenge, she said, is to create new models of society
in our Bahá’í communities.
She said more information regarding this topic can be found in the
Web site of the Bahá’í Network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addictions and
Abuse (Web site http://members.home.net/bnasaa).
—Ellen Wheeler, reporter
