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Homosexuality doesn't undermine traditional family values

To the editor,

I strongly disagree with John Ward's "absolute" values.

Mr. Ward uses words like "should." The entire point of Coming Out Week is that we should be able to celebrate who we are in a public fashion, as do 'straight' people. He talks about "flagrant homosexual values." Interesting that the organizers of Coming Out Week strongly disagreed regarding having a drag show at all. As to flagrant, I ask Mr. Ward if he ever mentions his girlfriend or wife? How about the privilege of holding her hand in public?

His comments, though narrow, bring about discussion on the social construction of gender. Should women return to dresses, or is it still acceptable for a woman to wear pants? Why are pants any different than pantyhose? Heels hurt my feet. Should I return to that, for a healthy society? If dressing in drag means you have no moral fiber ... what about Joan of Arc? She dressed 'shamelessly' like a man.

As to a social structure that has survived because of the 'innate virtues' of the system ... hmmm ... was the first "queer" conceived in 1975? We have existed since the dawn of time. Like others oppressed by a dominant social construct, we are realizing the value in ourselves as a community and celebrating it.

The list goes on " ... they choose not to recognize that homosexuality undermines ... family." What about the fact that domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of injury to women ages 21-44? Find the absolute value in that, Mr. Ward. I would much rather see children raised by loving families of any orientation than by violent straight ones. Homosexual people have been, are and will continue to raise children. They take as good or better care of their kids than anyone else. It is a travesty that we live in a society where we have so many unwanted children, but you can only be recognized as a family if you are a heterosexual couple, regardless of your capacity to raise children.

Mr. Ward's discomfort comes from his worry about "impressionable children." What about the impressionable teens that are questioning their sexuality and their worth as human beings, in a society populated with people like Mr. Ward? What about those same teens who have a very disproportionately high suicide rate? If drag queens on the mall and a rainbow flag on my car prevent one child from committing suicide, I stand proudly flagrant.

Jonna Lopez

Sociology and political science junior