Kenneth Morgan states in his letter July 11 that the nature and function of the military provides for the logical denial of lesbians and gays from the commissioning process. However, no logical examples are given to back up his statement.

This tactic also is used by the Department of Defense. When asked to defend the anti-gay policy with substantive examples, their reply is the often repeated “That’s the way it is.”

There is no evidence that lesbians and gays as a group are less fit to serve than their heterosexual counterparts.

On the contrary, the ongoing dismissals of lesbian and gay military personnel revealed many have had spotless performance records, including promotions and commendations.

Morgan needs to realize gay men have always served in the military and will continue to do so. The aim of the defense department’s policy is to silence lesbians and gays from revealing their identity.

The reasoning behind this censorship is simple. As long as the contributions and sacrifices of lesbians and gays are hidden from public knowledge, it is easier to discriminate and hate them.

The insistence on stating one’s devotion to Christianity can no longer remain a legitimate excuse for homophobia. The participation and acceptance of lesbians and gays in spiritual and religious ministries is testament that heterosexuals do not have a monopoly on the interpretation of the God’s word.

The separation of church and state should insure the freedoms we all enjoy which stem from our respect of the U.S. Constitution, and not the ruling class’ morality.

With Morgan’s brand of Christianity comes the rhetoric of homosexuality as a threat to the family. I would like to calm Morgan’s paranoia by stating lesbians and gays do not have a master plan to dismantle the family unit.

Public acknowledgment of homosexuality does not mean everyone is going to turn “queer.” We are not out to change anyone’s sexuality, for this is not possible.

Our emphasis involves an open and informed discussion of lesbian and gay identities with their subsequent cultural and political constructions.

The acceptance of a lesbian or gay family member can only serve to strengthen the family because love is given unconditionally. I know this from personal experience.

Homosexuality cannot be separated from an individual’s being. This is also true for race and gender. As an African American, I am fortunate to have come of age after the dismantling of segregation.

As a nation, we realized racial separation and discrimination was wrong. Although there have been great gains, much needs to be done. So too must this nation correct the wrongs due to centuries of lesbian and gay oppression.

Otis Richardson

Co-President Gay-Lesbian Union

Graduate Student