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Gay Pride leaders lacked tolerance
I have to draw attention to the raging irony and inconsistency of a recent letter by J. Eric Peters (Letters, July 15). I agree that it would be nice to see more positive coverage of Pride events, but beyond that, our opinions diverge greatly.
Is it just me, or is there a hollow ring to the statement "A crowd of 80,000, including children is no place to wave guns around and pursue a narrow agenda without regard to the majority present."?
I'm taken aback, really. Aren't these the same arguments we hear far too frequently regarding gay rights and gay events? Those who would deny GLBT citizens equal rights are quick to point out our small numbers and our our statistical deviance from average, and are also the first to complain when minorities with "narrow agendas" infringe on the dominant culture.
In addition, the "What about the children?" argument has been done to death.
I am not a supporter of the conceal-carry law. I have never owned or used a gun. I am a strong supporter of gun control. With that said, I am appalled at the lack of tolerance in our own community for a group because their perfectly legal political convictions differ from the majority.
I am dismayed at the assumption that they were "waving around guns." They weren't. Brandishing a firearm is a crime. Compromising by offering to march with unloaded guns is hardly acting without regard to the majority present.
For Mr. Peters to then redirect the Pink Pistols to visit events that would likely be more volatile to "confront"anti-gay protesters demonstrates the complete inconsistency in his opinion regarding this group. It says, "We don't want you here, but if you want to go threaten people we don't like, that would be just fine."
I've read several articles on the incident, including the the letter from
Kate Anderson informing the Pink Pistols that they weren't welcome at the event if they were armed. It goes on to state that they will not be permitted to disseminate any information.
I know that while standing along the sidelines, I received numerous fliers from churches and politicians who were marching. Are we truly so comfortable with quashing opinions that we don't like? If so, what sort of direction is the GLBT community in Columbus taking?
If the leader of "our" queer community here in Columbus plans to leisurely meander down the path of intolerance, exclusionary tactics and bias, perhaps we need to rethink whether that leader is worthy of followers.
Christine Ault
Letters section of "The Other Paper" July 22-28, 2004
www.theotherpaper.com
