THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
An old gay/lesbian saying goes ``Silence equals death.'' I commend Mel White, former ghostwriter for many figureheads of the radical right, including Pat Robertson, for his decision to be silent no longer.
Like several thousands of others who have been led to believe their homosexuality is a sickness or a sin, Mr. White struggled for 30 years with prayer, ``ex-gay'' counseling, electric shock and exorcism, only to discover that they don't work to change one's God-given sexuality.
Mr. White requested a meeting with Pat Robertson to discuss these issues, only to be charged by CBN with trespassing. Now Mr. White is in jail, refusing to be bailed out, and fasting until Pat Robertson will meet with him. Unlike Jesus, who spent his days living among the outcasts of society, Robertson is sending the message that certain groups of people are not worthy of meeting with.
I hope Mel White's bravery and conviction to stand up for himself and his beliefs will serve as an inspiration to the many thousands of others still out there struggling to reconcile their own sexuality with their religious convictions. Before one can be true to one's God, one must first be true to oneself.
MELVIN FRIZZELL
Portsmouth, Feb. 20, 1995 by CNB