THE PUBLIC MIND: TO NOT PUBLISH COMIC STRIP WOULD ADD TO THE IGNORANCE CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY

To the Editor:

As a college student, I have been exposed to many different cultures, people, and lifestyles one specific example is homosexuality. I consider myself to be open-minded, but I did not realize how open-minded I am until last week when the Bootheel lost its mind over the comic strip "For Better or Worse," for dealing with the touchy, "reality-based" topic of "coming out of the closet."

First off, the estimated percentage of gay men and women is approximately 10 percent of the entire population. This may seem to be a small number, but the chance of running into this kind of percentage, whether at work, school, or in another public place, is rather large. Likewise, when a gay person "comes out of the closet," many people are affected the parents, brothers/sisters, friends, and even neighbors. Basically, the chances of "coming out of the closet" being a family matter is rather high. Since the comic strip has dealt with other touchy subjects in the past, the use of homosexuality as another topic does not surprise me.

By not letting the series of cartoons run, the Southeast Missourian would be part responsible for the breeding of ignorance of the subject. The foundation for the unfair behavior demonstrated upon the gay community may follow from the fact that so many individuals grow up knowing little about homosexuality. Even I do not know why certain people have a sexual preference for those of the same sex as themselves. Anyway, who am I to judge others on any subject (especially sexuality a topic that is really no one's business but the individual involved). To fear the unknown is common, but to ridicule the unfamiliar is irrational.

Scientific research suggests that there may be some link with the size of a region of the hypothalamus that differs with gay men and straight men. Even with the scientific studies, the gay lifestyle as a "choice" makes no sense at all. This might be parallel to Bill Cosby wishing that he could live in the time of slavery. Why would anyone choose to place themselves in a situation at such an unfair advantage? In another view, why would people choose to be gay in a world that has been almost brainwashed into hating homosexuality.

One reader who wrote The Public Mind stated that "homosexuality is a sin." OK, I will humor you and assume your statement to be considered true. If homosexuality is a sin, then all homosexuals are sinners. So, is your job to condemn those who sin? Homosexuality is a private issue. Why should the public have to "tolerate such behavior" when it is really none of anybody's business what people's sexual preference may be.

Another reader wrote that they "believe the Bible" and were "crushed to think that children of this community could pick up our daily paper and read the `funnies' and get the idea that homosexuality is just another lifestyle." If they believe the Bible then they should be concerned by those things which they believe to be wrong by showing love, care, and prayer. Instead, they seem to be teaching our future generation the craft of bigotry (not a religious example).

For the above reasons, I am pleased with the decision of the editor to keep the comic strip in the Southeast Missourian.

Robert L. Poe

Jackson