L’Observateur / September 25, 2000

DEAR EDITOR: I was alarmed to read Lee Dresselhaus’ recent column about gays and the Boy Scouts.

Whatever Mr. Dresselhaus’ opinion about the Boy Scouts or the lesbian andgay community, he and L’Observateur have an obligation to their readers to present facts. Instead, Dresselhaus trots out old stereotypes to back upoutrageous claims about our community. His argument is weak at best and ablaring example of defamation at its worst. I guess when you areDresselhaus and you want someone to agree with your opinion, name-calling and fact-juggling is the order of the day.

Dresselhaus’ comparison of gay leaders as “foxes guarding the chickens” is outrageous and reinforces the misleading notion that gay men are predators.

In fact, study after study has shown just the opposite: most pedophiles are heterosexual.

In addition, Dresselhaus compares members of the gay and lesbian community to alcoholics and junkies. The American Psychiatric Associationand other mental health groups would again disagree as homosexuality has not been listed as an illness since the early 1970s.

Dresselhaus and L’Observateur are put on notice. Defamation of ourcommunity will not be tolerated. ALL citizens of your community deservemore.

They deserve fair, accurate and responsible journalism.

Kevin J. McClelland Regional Media Manager (Southeast) Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

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