Varying Verdicts on Harry

Iam happy to see Harry Hay get recognition after all he’s gone through in his brave battle (“The Gospel of Gay, According to Harry Hay,” Dec. 13).

I would wish to remind him, however, to avoid the chauvinism his persecutors have relished. The statement the editors of View chose to highlight began, “All hetero boys are hopelessly competitive with each other. . . .”

While a truism of sorts, this seems meant only to provoke. Imagine the editors printing statements saying: “all blacks” or “all Jews” or “all women” behave any which way, and you can see my point. Generalizations hurt all of us, and millions of gays especially have been victimized by such thinking.

Secondly, having been monogamous for 28 years, apparently Harry Hay hasn’t seen the tacky displays of jealousy and back-biting many gays will show publicly over a chosen lover. Indeed, gays are very competitive.

Since you have such a winning smile, an apparent good heart, and lots of spirit--you are forgiven in this quarter, Harry.

FREDERICK CLEVELAND

Hollywood