Self-censorship

So Bob Wright in the NYTimes is suggesting (to grossly paraphrase) that America works because we are so good at using self-censorship in order to get along.

Then Andrew Sullivan comes along and writes about the Russian's canceling a gay parade, after the chief Russian Chief Mufti warned that gays would be bashed. Andrew adds:

Would Bob urge the gay marchers in Moscow not to parade, because it offends so many religious people, Orthodox and Muslim? Should gay people censor themselves to avoid offending others? Should women who object to the brutal subjugation of half the human race in many Islamic societies silence themselves? Maybe Bob would indeed argue for self-censorship in these cases. Maybe he wouldn't. After all, Islam is very clear about the fate of homosexuals and the role of women. But self-censorship is a slippery slope.

Of course, it is not as if there aren't any number of towns in the United States where gay parades are canceled, schools (or armed services) where gay groups are banned, and gays do get bashed. Is the mainstream Muslim position so far from the mainstream Baptist position? And is it any more than 20 years behind the mainstream American position?

Being gay is still a political act, laden with consequences. Even now. Even here. Gay people self-censor all the time, and they're mostly pretty good at it.

Andrew's question has already been asked of the U.S. military, and the military said yes.