SIMONIZED

Harris Miller is upset about critic John Simon’s homophobic cracks and critic Dan Sullivan’s wishy-washy defense of Simon’s behavior (Calendar Letters, April 14).

If it’s any comfort to Miller, Simon doesn’t limit his vitriol to gays. He apparently hates women, too, as he makes a habit of singling out various actresses--examples, Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand--to ridicule their various physical features.

Actually, the public is really to blame when “critics” of Simon’s ilk rise to the fore. They’re no more trained or qualified to pass judgment than are the rest of us, but some perversity in the nature of theatergoers likes being intimidated, enjoys feeling inferior to such waspishness.

Incidentally, has Simon ever heard of Tennessee Williams and any of the other great theatrical figures, past and present, who were gay?

CLARK DONALDSON

Hollywood