Controversy Over NEA Grants

In response to “The Brave New NEA: Now It Does Whatever the White House Wants,” Opinion, May 31:

The current spate of NEA grant denials to worthy homosexual artists is but an iceberg-tip symptom of a larger (and scarier) social tragedy. The far-right/fundamentalist lobby is doing its sickening utmost, overall, to minimize and/or discount the vitally important contributions of gay and lesbian citizens to our society.

It appalls me that NEA chief Anne-Imelda Radice, herself a lesbian, would willingly play a part in this culturally destructive process. Her actions to date strongly remind me of the various McCarthy era celebrities who betrayed their own for personal gain.

I have no doubt that all NEA hopefuls will soon be required to answer this question on their applications: “Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the gay and lesbian community?”

STEVEN M. MOORE

Pomona