ON GAY-BASHING

ON GAY-BASHING

Tom Gross.
Published: Saturday, December 14, 1996
Section: COMMENTARY

I hope that the hefty cash settlement paid by the Ashland School District in Wisconsin ("Gay-bashing victim awarded $1 million for school incident," Metro, Nov. 21) wakes people up to the problem in our country of violence against gays and lesbians (and against people simply perceived as being gay).

One doesn't read much about gay-bashing in the mainstream press, but those familiar with publications oriented toward the gay community are well aware of the ongoing tragedy. I believe that our public schools have a compelling interest in teaching our children to respect the dignity of each person in our diverse human family.

I'm also aware of the efforts of groups like televangelist Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition and the Family Research Council to make certain that public schools do not teach anything that might be construed as positive about gays and lesbians. Presumably, they wish either to teach kids only negative views of their gay classmates or nothing at all, thereby leaving intact, by default, the anti-gay bias already present in our society.

When Robertson and his minions repeat their self-congratulatory mantra of "Hate the sin but love the sinner," it's of little comfort to people who have suffered due to intolerance, and it rings hollow to anyone who values liberty and justice for all in one nation under God.

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