Not that there's anything wrong with that
Whenever we publish an article about "unorthodox" behavior, some readers criticize us for glorifying the behavior. I don't even think unorthodox is the correct adjective. It's more like "behavior frowned upon by the mainstream." For instance, when we wrote about teenagers getting tattoos before heading off to college, we heard that we were encouraging the behavior. The same when we wrote a feature about cruising. And now we have Saturday's article about an effort by the Triad Equality Alliance to educate people about the normalcy of homosexuals.
The e-mail came in:
"This type of promotion is sickening to the soul and a further attempt by the media to form public opinion that the gay and lesbian lifestyle is normal. It is not normal. There are no gay genes within the DNA structure. Also 84% of Americans support a Federal Marriage Amendment and the belief that this type of lifestyle is wrong."
Or this:
"This article is an abomination to God and Humanity. This dude who says he is sorry for what he did to his ex-wife and children is a liar. This is a way to destroy the United States as they did to the Greece and Roman Empires. Go back to the closet. This is a Dead Issue from Dead People who wish Death to American Society. They want to only satisfy their own lusts at societies expense. Unadultaried Selfishness."
Well.
One of the core purposes of a newspaper is to deliver the news. These billboards are that. We also like to treat people as people. They are our neighbors and co-workers and family members. Discussing gays and lesbians as if they are political concepts rather than people dehumanizes them. And no amount of wishing or ranting will make them go away or turn straight.
By publishing this article on the front page, we aren't promoting homosexuality. We're simply telling the community about what some of its members are doing. It's one more way to give voice to a minority group that is different than the general population. That voice -- as are the voices of all minorities -- is important to hear. If it breaks down prejudice and engenders understanding, it fuels the civic conversation.
Ignoring it is sticking your head in the sand, which we try to avoid. It's hard to breathe down there.
Comments (4)
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You know, the fact is there will always be those who see everything different as a failing on the part of society, and will go out of their way to assign blame. In this case they would do well to go read their own books-- the part about where it says, "Thou shalt not judge."
You, as the media, and I, the reader, are here to report and observe. Those who see more than that in their rolls are sadly confused as to God's intentions for their time on earth.
Posted on September 27, 2004 6:48 PM
The e-mails that came in regarding the billboards are extremely hateful. It always surprises me to see people bring up God and religion to support their cause. If someone believes in God, I would think that they would understand that they have no right to judge others. Are there any words in the Bible that indicate one can judge and hate homosexuals? I don't think so. The negative comments reflected in the two emails are pure ignorance and that is exactly what these billboards are attempting to change. And how can anyone say there are no gay genes within the DNA structure? There is no proof of that. Why would that make any difference anyway?!? Is this person saying that if there was proof that there are gay genes in DNA he/she would be okay with homosexuality? That wouldn't change anything. Of course most people that are heterosexual would think homosexuality is wrong because they don't understand it. That should be no surprise. But these people should ask themselves one question: When did they decide to become heterosexual?
Homosexuals are people and should be treated as such. They are already in the communities in which we live and that won't change. Learning about people's differences will hopefully open up the minds of those that are ignorant so we can live and work happily together.
Bravo to the Triad Equality Alliance and the people who appear on the billboard!
Posted on September 28, 2004 12:08 PM
Homosexual people are human beings to start with, and they need to be respected as human beings. The religious comment I was reading is not from someone who really is a christian. He should know that you have to love your neighbours as loving yourself. But these so called religious people are always afraid of someone who has an own opinion. Probably their believe is not strong enough or they believe in the wrong thing. I am from europe and every time when the anti-gay people in the USA speak about gay people, I am amazed about their simpel way of thinking.
Please understand that being gay is not a disease, has nothing to do with only sex and being dangerous. Also realize that they have no choice. People are born the way they are. They are not dirty, oversexed or abusing. And if you accidently meet one of thes types, just tell me how many hetero's are that way. Have you ever seen more sweet, artistic, paeceful and loving people than gay people? It is time for a lot of your people to realize that these people really mean so much to your culture. Happily in europe we think more liberal. You all should vote for a GAY PRESIDENT. The world and the USA would be so much better of. John Lenon told this already: Make love, no war.
Leo Wieteler, Greensboro
Posted on September 29, 2004 2:26 PM
I think what the Triad Equality Alliance is doing by the billboards and the articles in the paper is a great step towards ridding the world of ignorance. Have we not learned something from the past history? The wars that have been faught in the name of religion,hate and predjudice. It is bafling to me that people can be hated, beaten and even killed just because they love..In this day and time with all the threat of terrorist and war cant people put their intollerence and ignorance aside and just try to understand. You dont have to embrace homesexuality just understand. Understanding only comes with learning and being open to ideas that we have been taught. And closing our eyes and ears to something that hurts no one. These people that hate homosexuals and fear them must first ask themselves why.? Why do you care if two people love each other and try to make a life for themselves? No they are not trying to convert the rest of the world..Could you be converted, I know that I could not. So let them live amoung us and treat them with the respect that we want to be treated as hetrosexuals. These people that protest so much think that they do not know any gay people only from TV and movies. Bet they do...Sister, brother, son, daughter, mother father, best friend..10 percent of the population is gay. Only 2 percent is oblivious. The most disgusting thing is when people bring God into their objections. Get a life.. Most people dont even know where in the Bible to find their so called verses that they quote...think again before you use this one.....And as far as hurting the morality of the human race. Look closer at the statistics...Who commits the most crimes in the World??????Dont think it would be the homosexual population...Is it too much to ack to give them a chance they have given to us for years thru music, art and so many other fields of life. Tollerance hurts no one but hate cripples and destroys us.
Posted on September 29, 2004 2:35 PM