LETTERS: Society has not embraced gays

To the Editor: However, unlike Giulian, many gay people don't look upon their sexuality as a "choice" or a "preference." And when one can legally be discriminated against for what they are, then it is often important to openly proclaim that in order to gain some sense of self determination and legitimacy. And I'm sorry, but we are not close to having gays and lesbians be accepted into the fold of straight society. It's not "?gay pride and visibility has led everyone to believe if they don't know your sexuality, you're either straight or hiding." It is that straight is assumed, and pretty much always has been, and for a long time hiding was more a matter of survival than a choice. As I said previously, when I first read this column I didn't think much of it. But Tuesday afternoon I was walking through Houston Hall and saw a flier for "Tongues Untied" a documentary about the Gay Black experience. Someone had penned -- and the spelling is theirs not mine -- "Fucking Fagets + AIDS carriers." Now I'd like to ask Giulian was that appropriate, were the two men whose picture was on the flier being "too out?" They weren't kissing or engaging in sexual acts. Maybe they should have kept their mouths shut in hopes that they might gain acceptance "? through an understanding that these people whom you love ? happen to be gay"-- good luck. Can someone be too gay? Can someone be too female, too black, too Asian or too naive? Well to that last one, I think yes. Todd Kutyla College of General Studies Supporting Lyren To the Editor: I ask you to keep in mind that our athletes at the University of Pennsylvania are student-athletes. They are not paid professionals. The athletes at Penn are a group of hard working young men and women. Most work hard in the classroom, work hard in preparation for their sport, and work hard while in competition. Just as you put a lot of time into your columns, they put a great deal of time and effort into their sports. As members of this University, their contributions are positive ones. Your harsh criticism directed at Jamie Lyren was completely uncalled for. He is a member of the Penn community and the Penn basketball team giving an all out effort to do the best that he can. The basketball team is not on top of the Ivy League standings. However, they are still putting out a 100 percent effort. Lyren and his fellow teammates deserve our support and praise? As a recent alum of the University, I was embarrassed by Cohen's column. I find it reprehensible that Cohen would attack a young person with such intense negativity with no regard for that person's feelings and with no regard for the overall effort that this young man puts forward. If I were a head coach at Penn, I would ask my staff and players to respond with a, "No comment," every time Cohen tried to perform an interview. Maybe that would make Cohen think a little, and next time he might give it a second thought before unjustly attacking a person. Anthony Scioli College '96