"From a Buddhist point of view, men-to-men and women-to-women is generally considered sexual misconduct.
"From society's viewpoint, mutually agreeable homosexual relations can be of mutual benefit, enjoyable and harmless."
This distinction is important in this modern world, where Buddhist leaders like the Dali Lama must uphold the tradition teachings and tenets of their faith, which state that non-heterosexual relations are inappropriate, along side a desire to end persecution and suffering of all peoples universally. This struggle reminds me of the new popes recent statement about equality for all in the LGBT community and I find the push-pull between modern fights for equality which most major religions support and the upholding of traditional faith values.
In the same statement, the Dali Lama also expressed that oral and anal sex even among heterosexuals were also classified as sexual misconducts, alongside masturbation. Some gay, Buddhist leaders became upset with the Dali Lamas statement, urging for a reinterpretation of the ancient scriptures, worried about the backlash that such scriptures might have on violence from homophobic people across the world who could use this statement as fuel for further inequality among gay communities.
In my opinion there is nothing homophobic about the Dali Lamas statement. He is simply upholding the scripture which has been passed down to him. He is still urging for universal human equality, he just feels any sex act that is not vaginal between a man and a woman is not the correct path towards liberation for those who are practicing buddhists, as is taught by his religions sacred books.
further reading: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Dalai-Lama-Speaks-on-Gay-Sex-He-says-it-s-wrong-2836591.php
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