Whatever conclusions you have come to, you are mistaken.

Orientation is a measurement of direction (hence the name). Think of it as a sort of compass, if you will. It points either at males, at females, at a point between, or away from both. A male pointed at “male” is gay.

It doesn’t point at “tall” or “Hispanic” or “Miss Kitty dressed up in latex” though these may be things that appeal to some. And it doesn’t point at “nine years old”.

You may claim that these are just arbitrary definitions and that it could point to male, female, and pre-pubescent child, if it wished. Sure, it could also point to jello.

But there is a difference between men and jello. Interestingly, it is also the difference between men and children.

An orientation the gender to which one gravitates to establish a joining of two, a connection of souls. Sex is but a manifestation of this gravitation. And even casual or meaningless sex is a reflection of the emotional attraction that underlies falling in love.

Without the possibility of joining of souls – something that simply cannot occur with immature and undeveloped children – then there is no connection, only unequal power. And, in fact, it is this inequality, this power disunity that appeals to pedophiles. In that sense, pedophilia is very nearly the opposite of an orientation.

“. . . the aligning of romantic and sexual attraction between pubescent adults . . .”

No one but a “pubescent adult” can have an orientation?

My mother says that she knew I was gay when I was in the first grade. She says I was always getting crushes on other boys.

And she is right. When I look back on it, I was frequently enamored of another kid, fascinated by him, talking about him, missing him, frustrated that he didn’t think the same way about me. This at the very start of my school career, and very distinctly outside every cultural clue, advertisement and billboard relentlessly in my face.

I know enough always to avoid always and never to say never, so when I see that there are “only 4 orientations,” I tend to respond, “Sez who?”

Thanks for your response. Please expand.

Per our Comments Policy, please don’t engage in idle speculation. If you have a source, we’d all love to hear it. Otherwise passing on unsubstantiated rumors is not only inappropriate, but against our policy. Further comments along these lines without substantiation will be removed.

Reminds me of a Schubert song: Gretchen am Spinnrade. If you are curious, here is some info, tell me this is not appropriate, it feels like the soundtrack of her life:

Translation

Performance

“Letters of apology were written to victims & their families”

Well, that puts things in an entirely new light. I didn’t know that they actually wrote letters AND expended 42 cents on a stamp. So much better than an actual meeting and a long-term commitment to helping them heal from the abuse. Certainly Jesus would have gone with written letters over all of that touchy feeling stuff. I only hope that the apologies were accompanied by Christ-like disclaimers of liability.