Denounce Olson's Aug. 31 cartoon

If you picked up the Wildcat this Monday, Aug. 31, you may have noticed the cartoon by Jeremy Olson, "Looking for Billy."

If you have not seen it we urge you to do so.

In short, the column tells of two bugs that were fighting, but forgive each other and embrace.

The driver of a passing vehicle makes the unsupported assumption that they are "homos" and shoots them.

There can only be one interpretation of this tasteless comic: That violence against gay people (or people who are assumed to be gay) is tolerable.

We hope you all agree that the standard of journalism involved, while protected absolutely by the publisher and artist's first amendment rights, is not the sort of material that promotes in any way a diverse and accepting campus here at the UA.

Although theWildcat claims it does not want to "stifle the creativity" of its cartoonists, they admit that they would not have published a cartoon with the derogatory terms used to describe African-Americans, Latin-Americans, or other minority groups.

Why should they be allowed to use a similar epithet against gay people?

We urge you to contact the Wildcat and denounce the Aug. 31 cartoon by Jeremy Olson.

The Executive Board and Directors of the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Association

(BGALA)

Nicholas Ray

Diversity Action Council

Tara Taylor

Associated Students President

Ryan Rosensteel

ASUA Administrative Vice President