When I consider some of the ridiculous letters I have read in this newspaper, I am not sure why I feel compelled to respond to this one in particular.

Maybe it is because I fear that Mr. Bugh’s point of view (as expressed in his March 28 letter) is all too prevalent.

Maybe it’s because it is attitudes such as these that perpetuate the culture of racism, gay-bashing, and chauvinism that exists in this country to an extent much greater than anyone in the ruling majority (white males, of course) is willing to admit.

Whatever the reason, I cannot remain silent in the face of such profound, dangerous misunderstanding.

Mr. Bugh needs to understand, but evidently cannot muster the empathy to feel, is that one who is gay, female, physically disabled or a person of color is subject to some very real and very serious handicaps.

This is not a matter of denying responsibility for one’s actions.

Perhaps Mr. Bugh will have a stronger argument when no one is physically or verbally assaulted because of their race of sexual preference, and when no one is patronized or assumed to be less capable because of their gender or physical disability.

But unfortunately, these things continue to happen to thousands of people on a daily basis.

This is a problem for everyone, not just those suffering under these handicaps. We all lose when we do not allow people to live up to their true potential.

Shelagh J. McCarthy

Law student