We are writing to set a few things “straight.” On Feb. 15, an editorial was written about the overcrowding at Cook County Jail and a misleading illustration by E. Dietz accompanied it. The illustration depicted many males sleeping in one bunk and one inmate trying to sleep. In his head, he is saying to himself, “… They wonder why homosexuality is such a big problem …” However, Dr. Joseph Harry, sociology professor and Gay/Lesbian Union adviser, said that gay sex in prisons is largely performed by heterosexual prisoners and is usually exploitative and/or coercive.

The editorial staff and the cartoonists should work closer together to show greater compassion toward minorities and also to get their information straight. They should not be so irresponsible and use cheap attention getters. If anyone read the editorial that went with the inflated and irrelevant cartoon, they would also realize that there was virtually no connection between the two.

On calling Paul Wagner, the editor of the Star, he stated that he had not seen the illustration, nor did he know if anyone had reviewed it before printing. How can this be? The job of any newspaper is to educate and inform; someone must take the responsibility to make sure that the information presented is correct. If no one takes this responsibility, then The Northern Star will continue to perpetuate stereotypical misconceptions.

We realize rape in prison is a problem. The cartoon, though, misrepresented the meaning of the editorial. We appreciate the apology the following day by Sean Noble. His apology stated that the cartoon was not meant to be derogatory and offensive.

Stephen Hermann

Gay/Lesbian Union co-president

Brian R. Subatich

Gay/Lesbian Community Foundation

supporters:

Dr. Joseph Harry

professor of sociology

Kathy Hotelling

director of Counseling and Student Development

A.D. Spach

Gay/Lesbian Community Foundation

Dawn Scheffner

counselor at Career Planning and Placement

Editor’s note: The Feb. 15 editorial cartoon was, in fact, checked before printing by Editorial Editor Sean Noble.