Editor:

Jared Whitley, in his Oct. 10 column, “Coming Out of the Opinion Closet” and Bart Gatrell in his Oct. 14 letter to the editor, “Rainbow Flags are Offensive” criticize the “in-your-face” approach they feel Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people take in advertising, and in being who they are. Of course, a homophobic person would be offended by the display of flags that symbolize sexual diversity.

Gatrell argued that Christians and Nazis should be allowed to use flags to express their identity. So be it. Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right. Yet, arguing that advertising for Christmas with pictures of Jesus is a comparable marketing strategy presupposes that homosexuality is a “choice.” That contradicts many studies asserting that a choice is not the common reality among most LGBT people.

Those who believe the LGBT community will be left alone regarding their sexuality and that they will be accepted as “people for being people” operate under false consciousness. If you want validation regarding this idea, ask Matthew Shephard or Brandon Teena. Actually, you’ll have to ask someone who knew them, because hatred for their sexual orientations was the impetus leading to their murders.

The LGBT community will continue to speak out like other marginalized groups. Many people keep pleading they are not bigots when they request the pride flags to be taken down, but that request is homophobic?bigoted indeed. Generally, Americans are socialized to marginalize people. Homophobic behavior accompanies a slew of hatred like racism, classism, sexism, ageism and ableism.

At least some try to contextualize the schema of diversity and overcome these socialized biases.

Kris Cannon

Junior, Gender Studies

Lesbian & Gay Student Union Co-President