The Media and ‘Outing’

The only thing right in Shilts’ commentary was the headline, “The Nasty Business of ‘Outing.’ ” The Advocate has never been involved in outing previously, and we hope that we won’t be again.

We took this unusual step for a very precise reason: The U.S. military has gone too far. The discharging of honorable soldiers who served their country valiantly during the Persian Gulf War (and any war, for that matter) is beyond the boundaries of decency. Gay and lesbian soldiers are not cannon fodder to be dismissed by the secretary of defense and his sidekicks at will.

We don’t “claim to be exposing the highest level of hypocrisy,” as Shilts asserts. We have exposed the highest level of hypocrisy at the highest levels of government. And, as Shilts claims, we have succeeded. Unfortunately, we had to open one closet door. Outing is certainly a nasty business, but ruining the lives of more than 1,000 soldiers annually is even nastier.

GERRY KROLL

Editor, the Advocate

G. LUTHER WHITINGTON

Senior Editor, the Advocate