For the last several days I have held my pen as I have read a steady stream of Letters to Sikhe.com reacting to Jasbir Singh's impassioned note ('Homosexuality and Sikhism', July 23). The authors of many of these letters seem to betray false assumptions about, cruel prejudices towards and blatant ignorance of homosexuals and homosexuality.

I was reminded of the letters and opinions of Indians that hatefully mocked those Sikhs who sought to struggle for sovereignty in India. Just as these gay bashers show no understanding of the persecution and humiliation suffered by homosexuals, most Indians betray a willful ignorance of the humiliation Sikhs have endured in India.

Without ever having known the persecution, the humiliation, and the manner in which their families ostracize them, homosexuals have been accused of being "deviant." According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-IV, homosexuality is not classified as deviant behavior. As a matter of fact, homosexuality is no longer a diagnosis in the DSM-IV. The use of the term "deviant" in reference to homosexuality, therefore, illustrates the gross ignorance, bias, and bigotry of the writers. And to add insult to injury it is said of them that it is their "choice."

Who would choose to be a homosexual? I know many gays and lesbians, and none of them have chosen their sexual orientation. I have had a young man tell me with tears in his eyes that he would rather be "normal". It is horrifying that society has made good people feel they are not "normal" because of their biology. This is no different from persecuting people for their color, gender, caste or religion.

How many people can honestly say that they are not victims of what culture and media feeds them about gays and lesbians? How many of these Sikhs have made an honest attempt to understand these individuals? The research is available if one is willing and brave enough to confront the truth. There is a plethora of scientific work, such as a report published in the journal Science in 1993, linking sexual orientation to genetics. While the research is not conclusive, it does give evidence of the biological selection of sexual orientation.

As far as the Sikh position on this issue is concerned, or on the related issue of heterosexuality and contraception, it needs careful consideration that it is grounded in Sikh history and with a connection to the Sikh spirit. Jasbir Singh too must school himself in Gurbaani and other Sikh literature. He must resist the temptation to develop a superficial understanding about Sikhism by embracing liberalism and the interpretation of the Sikh faith produced by Western academics and scholars in "Sikh" chairs (for a fuller discussion see 'Marshalling our Resources'). It is through robust understanding of Sikh tradition and a deep connection with the Guru will he be able to realize himself and courageously face down the bigotry and hatred that he will confront in the world and, sadly, within his own community.

Prakashdeep Kaur