Last Saturday, while working in Mountain View, I picked up a copy of the Mountain View Voice, an indigenous weekly. Browsing the paper, I came across the following letters to the editor:

I have decided to craft my own letter in response to these gentlemen's concerns. Will it be printed in the Voice? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, here it is for posterity.

Editor:
I am a Los Altan writing to express my utmost disappointment not only in my city government, but also in the attitudes that allow such occurences to take place, and that have been expressed so well by Mr. Roddin and Mr. Lauttman.
This should not be misconstrued as a personal attack; I do not believe that anyone in the community wishes to attack and repress gay people. However, homophobia takes more insidious forms than overt "anti-gay rhetoric." While I am certain that we all want an open, accepting community, such an ideal cannot be a reality as long as homosexuality continues to be marginalized and trivialized as a mere "sexual proclivity," or an antithesis to "traditional family values." Such ideas are all too common in the United States today, and I can think of no greater danger to full equality for gay people.
Homosexuality is an identity, not some fetish to be hidden away in shame. Comparing a gay pride day to a "Sodomy Pride Day" is akin to comparing a "Family Values Day," as Mr. Roddin suggests, with a "Coitus Pride Day." Then again, assuming a "Family Values Day" to mean "Straight Pride Day" would be foolish. Such traditional--and admirable--values as love, compassion and commitment are certainly not the exclusive property of heterosexual couples.
Mr. Roddin's concern about gay people receiving special treatment is understandable. However, it is doubtful that any members of his family were ostracized, assaulted or even murdered simply for being straight. For centuries, gay people have been forced into the "closet," hiding their very identities for fear of their reputations or their lives. Now gay people are more free to "come out" than ever before, but simply setting the playing field level will not recompense gay people for years of suppression.
Homosexuality is nothing to be threatened by. Just one day to look at our gay neighbors and recognize them as human beings, not TV stereotypes, would be an immense help toward the diversity we all seek. I don't think it's too much to ask.

Albert Wang
Los Ninos Way, Los Altos

UPDATE: While my letter was not printed, the Voice did print other letters espousing similar viewpoints. I would personally like to applaud the writers for their courage and insight, and the Voice for its openness toward all sides of the issue.