LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
I was shocked and offended recently after reading Eric Morrison's inflammatory column Weekend Beach Bum (April 5) bashing the Catholic Church. I know and like Eric as a friend, and he is certainly entitled to express his opinions, I would probably even enjoy a spirited debate with him about faith and religion, but I have no desire to go toe-to-toe with him and defend the Church in this forum. For some of us, however, our faith in God and devotion to the Church is ultimately the most important thing in our lives. And here's a news flash: contrary to popular belief, being gay and being a devout Catholic are not mutually exclusive. I happen to love the Church and I resent the author's assertion that Catholic diehards are "greatly influenced by the culture of the Church which, by definition, requires suppression of sexuality and a complicated web of secrecy to cover its own sins." Perhaps what shocks me more than the article itself is the fact that Letters printed it in the first place. I wonder if CAMP Rehoboth would have printed an article with the same inflammatory accusations about some other group. Will Letters accept columns that claim that Islam teaches terrorism, or that more leaders in the African American community are self-serving bigots, or that the Germans were on to something when they tried to exterminate the Jews? Where do you draw the line? I have to wonder what, if any, editorial standards Letters has. At the very least I would think that the publication should further the goals of the CAMP Rehoboth Mission Statement: "We seek to promote cooperation and understanding among all people, as we work to build safe, inclusive communities with room for all." Is accusing the Church of "bribery, extortion, and obstruction of justice" a thoughtful way to discuss the subject? Is saying, "The very vertebrae of the Church's backbone consist of secrets, lies, and all things unnatural" an appropriate way to open the discussion? Is calling the Church a "despicable and detrimental institution" an invitation to cooperate with and understand each other? I think not, but I guess I shouldn't be so surprised or upset. After all, it is this kind of angry rhetoric that is at the root of so much of the violence and hatred in the world. How naive of me to assume that the gay community should be more tolerant! CAMP Rehoboth can be justly proud of the fact they are often asked to speak out on behalf of the gay community, but with that role comes increased responsibility as well. Curiously, though, you occasionally avoid some controversial issues that make headlines (the rampant use of recreational drugs and the tragic consequences for our community comes to mind). Maybe I expect too much from this publication. Maybe I should just sit back and enjoy the lighthearted columns about life in Rehoboth Beach. Or maybe the time has come to beef up your journalistic integrity. If Letters is content to be an ordinary tabloid, do me a favor and say so up front. I'll look elsewhere for more serious commentary. But if it aspires to be a vehicle to stimulate thoughtful dialogue then it can truly help foster a more positive environment. Please be more careful if you try to do both. Dan DiGuglielmo The article/interview by Fay Jacobs in the April 5th Letters was great! It was a reminder that serving in the U.S. Armed Forces has a price beyond that of most other careers/jobs; but, service as a lesbian or gay person has an even greater priceit is the ONLY employment in the USA where it is actually, by federal law, illegal to be openly LGBT. One note, though. Fay's interviewee remained reluctant to allow her name to be used for fear that being retired she might lose her military service retirement benefits under the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. There is no case where the U.S. Government has pursued a military retiree, who has subsequently come out. So, please, now that you've served your country in the closet, you can finally, in retirement, be honest and open about your orientation without fear that your government will come after you. As there are many former military, as well as reservists and, (Yes) even some active duty personnel, within Letters readership, if you have any questions about the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as it applies to you, please give the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)in Washington, DC a call at 202-328-3244. Hank Thomas, President National Capital Chapter American Veterans for Equal Rights I would like to express my gratitude for the generosity of your agency and staff in hosting the HIV Counseling and Testing Policy Update on March 11, 2002. Your new office space is delightful and a wonderfully energized place for a training. I would especially like to thank Salvatore Seeley for his help in arranging for the space, seating, and refreshments for the training. It was a great help to me and to the program. Salvatore also helped beta-test the HIV Prevention Program's new web-based contract reporting system and he was able to point out several weaknesses in the system that we will now be able to address before the statewide release of the system. He has been conscientious about attending the slew of training sessions that have accompanied this evolution of the program and has been attentive and insightful throughout. Again, thank you for your generosity and hospitality and a special thanks to Salvatore Seeley. He has been a great help to me and to the program. James DickinsonSocial Services AdministratorDivision of Public Health |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 04, May 3, 2002. |