I guess the whole question comes down to the definition of the term “societal disaster”. I believe that there would be negative consequences to having and implementing such a test, but I have a hard time applying the term “disaster” to something that doesn’t involve an enormous loss of human life, and it seems that that consequence in particular is unlikely.
There are some forseeable negative consequences, though. I can’t imagine a test being administered and a “cure” applied universally, so it’s unlikely in the extreme that gays would be eliminated. The homosexual population would be diminished, probably, and that combined with the mindset inherent in the administration of the test would probably serve to further marginalize the gay population, making them easier targets for discrimination.
Which would, in my opinion, have a negative effect on society. Not just on gay people, but on society in general, because when a group become easy prey for the prejudiced element in our midst, when people can be discriminated against for behavior that doesn’t harm anyone else, and such prejudice becomes ingrained into a society, we lose sight of such values as tolerance, acceptance, and respect. Which are essential components of a civilized society.
But I realize that all of that is merely speculation. What I really think would happen is that, seeing their demise as a group on the horizon, the few remaining gay people would organize, arm themselves, and begin to recruit aggressively. Armies of muscular leathermen and lesbian bikers would descend on our cities, violently redecorating drab office areas and turning our young people on to the forbidden joys of piercing, tattooing, and mincing. Squads of transvestites would perfect the precision art of the drive-by makover, and previously dull straight people would find themselves assaulted in dark alleys by rogue hairdressers intent on making their coiffure to die for. Despite the government’s desperate legislative and military reaction (2009: The phrases “go girl” and “that is so five minutes ago” are outlawed, as well as the color mauve.) the militant non-heteros have a massive impact on society, which discovers that it enjoys being well-dressed, living stylishly, and that comfortable shoes are really a must. Over the next decade, people gradually realize that they can sleep with anyone they find attractive, that as long as it’s between consensual adults there’s nothing wrong with any kind of sex, and that love is much more fun than hate anyday. (2015: The government gives up on trying to legislate morality, and gets heavily into trying to govern efficiently, which most people feel makes a nice change.)
I figured, as long as we’re speculating…
