Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9509290033
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: G-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If she's concerned abut child sexual abuse, she should know that the vast majority is perpetrated by straight males, not by gay men or lesbians.
If Spencer is concerned about recruitment into a gay lifestyle, she should know that contact with a gay person will no more make a straight person gay than contact with an African-American will make a white person black.
If she's concerned about our children being affected by information about homosexuality, I can assure her that the truth will be a vast improvement over the distortions and misinformation passed on by our homophobic society.
As a father of two children in the Roanoke public schools, I welcome the presentation of clear and factual information about homosexuality.
By reinforcing in the classroom the tolerance that we teach at home and in church, I hope our children will see an end to prejudice and injustice toward gays and lesbians in the next generation.
LAWRENCE BERNATH
ROANOKE
A step toward theocracy
IN RESPONSE to your Sept. 8 article, ``Company rejects ad from gay-rights panel'':
While Lamar Advertising (a billboard company), like the media, has a responsibility to refuse messages that might incite violence or hate, ironically the message it refused (``Celebrate Diversity'') is designed specifically to reduce hate and violence in this community.
Because it has a virtual monopoly on an important means of communication, like the media, it has a moral, if not legal, responsibility to allow all peaceful segments of the population full expression. Yes, even ``gay and straight citizens of Southwest Virginia.''
From a conversation I had with Lamar's telephone answerer, who indicated she felt its decision was a ``righteous'' one, I would guess the decision was based in part on some religious convictions. To use one's own religious beliefs, rather than citizens' civil rights, as a standard for decision-making in the public arena isn't only an abrogation of free speech. It's a giant step toward theocracy.
MARY M. BOENKE
HARDY
Billboards detract from lake scenery
I SUPPORT Angie Daly's care and concern for the scenery around Smith Mountain Lake as expressed in her Sept. 4 letter to the editor (``Billboards are hiding the scenery''). Billboards aren't only ``hiding the scenery'' but, in many cases, detracting from traditional scenic views and destroying God's creation. I boycott any business using billboards as an advertising tool. The information on billboards is already available in dozens of other places - newspapers and brochures left in restaurants, marinas, real-estate offices, Minit-Marts, churches and elsewhere.
I urge local businesses not to support billboard advertising around Smith Mountain Lake, especially the roads leading into the lake where the views are precious. Let us all join together to keep this God-given beauty natural, untouched, and sacred, not only for us but for future genrations as well.
BOB DELLAVALLE-RAUTH
HUDDLESTON
VDOT shouldn't decide fate of road
AT A public hearing on Sept. 12, Roanoke County Supervisor Lee Eddy said that more study was needed for U.S. 221. The Virginia Department of Transportation has held workshop after workshop and study after study concerning where the improved U.S. 221 should be located. VDOT's cost estimates indicate that crossing the creek with a new road would cost $10.8 million while keeping in the existing alignment would cost $10.5 million. Why does VDOT want to cross the creek? Why does this issue need to be studied more? Is there something I'm missing here?
Supervisor Ed Kohinke said VDOT should decide where to put the road. Why were public hearings held? What good is our voice if no one listens? It's our community, and VDOT shouldn't have the right to tell us what they're going to do. Why did they ask?
KAREN McCARTHY
ROANOKE
by CNB