Rights of Gays

We commend you on your editorial, “It’s as Good a Time as Any for City to Assure Gay Rights,” (Jan. 28). You made a point which is often lost in discussions of this sort, namely that no one acquires civil rights because others approve of him or her, but automatically by virtue of citizenship. Approval or disapproval of a minority by the majority is irrelevant to the issue of civil rights for the minority. Just as civil rights does not stem from approval, guarantee of civil rights does not imply approval.

When we encounter or think about people who are different from us, we may feel uncomfortable. It may seem easier to ignore, prohibit or segregate ourselves from the offending behavior or group than to analyze our feelings. Historically, this approach to handling feelings of discomfort with minorities has led to racial segregation, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the “warehousing” of the mentally ill, actions which seem embarrassing and cruel from a present-day perspective. During those earlier times, however, these actions were justified by arguments of what was “natural,” “moral,” “patriotic,” and perhaps “a sign of God’s judgment,” just as discrimination against homosexuals is being justified today.

When we see 25-year-old television replays showing people demonstrating for racial equality and being fire hosed and threatened with dogs, we, as white people, have to feel shame. We hope this society will not leave our children and grandchildren another legacy of shame because of our treatment of lesbians and gays.

LOIS J. WUNDERLEY

MURIEL N. NESBITT

Escondido