To the Editor: In fact, we were not there to "protest [Westheimer's] speech;" we were there to educate Westheimer and members of the audience about bisexuality, as our flyer clearly stated. We did not interrupt her speech, we asked questions at the designated time and we thoroughly enjoyed Westheimer's talk. Westheimer is certainly not an enemy of bisexuals -- she is just someone who should know that we exist, and that bisexuality is a normal part of the sexual continuum. Karen Snelbecker BiUnity Member n To the Editor: I was dismayed after reading the article about Dr. Ruth Westheimer's speech on the front page ("The doctor is in," DP, 3/28/96). As part of the educational action that BiUnity sponsored last Wednesday night outside of Westheimer's talk, I thought I made it clear to the DP reporter that we were not there to protest her speech, but rather to provide additional education and information about bisexuality. I have always admired Westheimer. When I was in college, I faithfully tuned in to her radio show. It is because of my admiration for her frankness in discussing sexual matters that I wanted to make sure we corrected her misinformation about bisexuality. I and most of the other people conducting the educational action bought tickets, attended and enjoyed her lecture. After the lecture, a BiUnity member gave Westheimer a signed copy of Bi Any Other Name, the first anthology about bisexuals published in the U.S. He talked with her for several minutes about bisexuality, and hopefully cleared up a few misunderstandings. In particular, he explained that it is not necessary to be nonmonogamous in order to be bisexual, and that bisexuals who practice safer sex are no more at risk for AIDS than anyone else who practices safer sex. I am hopeful that even as Westheimer educated us about sexuality and Judaism, we educated her about bisexuality. Cappy Harrison Administrative Assistant College of Arts & Sciences Library policy discriminates To the Editor: Three weeks ago, the Biddle Law Library closed its doors to non-Law students. Now, students who simply wish to study in a spacious, quiet environment are turned away. This new policy not only compromises campus safety, but also undermines the unity of Penn as "One University." I live in the Graduate Towers, and agreed to pay the University's exorbitant rental rates because these buildings are across the street from the law library. This proximity attracts many graduate students, because it reduces the need to walk to farther portions of the campus at night in a neighborhood plagued by violent criminals. By prohibiting its use by non-Law students, the Law School compromises the University's ongoing efforts to provide a safe learning environment. David Nieves Medicine '99 Reinforcing stereotypes To the Editor: "When you're down and feeling blue; Just look around and kiss a Jew." This closing couplet summed up the objectification of Jewish women that pervaded, and was in fact the only apparent purpose of, "I Kissed a Jew" (34th Street, 3/21/96). Replace the word Jew with any other ethnic minority and I imagine any reader would be shocked to find such prose printed in a University publication. But for some reason, the author and Editorial Board found it acceptable to reinforce stereotypes of Jewish women, portraying the title character as a large-breasted, cheap, rich, dark-haired woman from Long Island, who is given no voice in the piece except to "cheat" in a game. While Jews may represent a significant segment of the population at the University, as a community we are still a minority, often victim of virulent attacks. While there are no clear rules in humor as to when a writer goes beyond the pale of good taste and enters into the realm of bigotry, I would urge the Editorial Board of The Daily Pennsylvanian to accord the Jewish community the same respect it accords other ethnic and racial minorities. Be sensitive to the damage that can be wrought by reinforcing negative stereotypes. Amy Meltzer Program Associate University of Pennsylvania Hillel Evidence for homosexuality To the Editor: Reading the DP last Tuesday, I was struck by Steven Rubenstein's Letter to the Editor ("Homosexuality unnatural," DP, 3/26/96). Rubenstein said homosexuality "violates the laws of nature." To clear up any confusion, I would like to respond to a few points he made. First, Rubenstein claimed there is no scientific evidence that a "genetic defect" causes homosexuality. Besides the fact that "defect" is a misnomer, lack of proof is not evidence that homosexuality is not genetic. Using Rubenstein's logic, I could say that since there is no proof that God exists, God necessarily does not exist. Oppression has resulted from the fact that little non-biased research has been done to find the causes homosexuality and bisexuality. Most research has had the motive of showing gays to be evil. Modern research has had to begin to dispel this motion, before it can begin to look into reasons for sexual attraction to the same sex. In the research that has been done, rats, sheep, pigeons and other animals display homosexual acts. Thus, it is simply ignorance when Rubenstein says "there exists no other examples of homosexuality in nature." I would also like to mention Mendel -- you know, the pea plants. Maybe he'll help explain how "the child of two heterosexual parents is a homosexual, even if a second is not." Not to mention that either of the parents or the sibling might be homosexual, but afraid to come out in this lovely heterosexist world. I don't say "I'm right," implying that heterosexual attraction is wrong; I think both are beautiful. I just happen to be attracted to women. I don't write this solely to be mean, but to educate. Good luck to Rubenstein in beginning to understand the world around him, and to everyone. Alex Gino College '99
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