Talk Show Guest Slaying

Re “Hate, Not Humiliation, Is at Fault,” Commentary, March 16:

As a lesbian, I read with interest Robin Kane’s analysis of the murder of Scott Amedure, slain by Jonathan Schmitz when he told Schmitz he had a crush on him on the Jenny Jones talk show.

Kane’s examination of cause and effect doesn’t go far enough. When lesbians and gay men deplore outing with more fervor than they condemn the closet, this is the result. When lesbians and gay men wait for heterosexuals to create a safe society before affirming their identities, this is the result. When lesbians and gay men, by collusion, validate the atmosphere of shame, this is the result.

It is inherently dishonest to level blame exclusively at heterosexual homophobia for the predicament in which we as gay people presently find ourselves.

Schmitz didn’t spring up whole as a murderous homophobe at age 21. He was carefully taught. He was taught in a world where lesbian mothers and gay fathers yield to the embarrassment of their children and deny who they are. He was taught in world where an exemplary social worker is profiled by the media, and notes a heterosexual marriage and divorce, but excludes any reference to her 20 year lesbian relationship. He was taught in a world where a local writers’ series, devoted to the work of lesbians, welcomes a national activist and accedes to her demands that the showcase abstain from mentioning the L word. He was taught by the persistent effort of lesbians and gay men to justify and vindicate the lie--the lie that creates the very environment that results in the tragedy of Amedure’s murder.

Shame is a communicable disease. With this hideous tragedy, can it be more clear that what is killing us is the closet?

ANN BRADLEY

Los Angeles

I could not agree more with the articulate description of the Exploitalk or as I describe them “trash talk TV shows” (by Neal Gabler, Opinion, March 19). He accurately explains the content, producers’ motivation and some possible reasons for the increasing popularity of these shows, but then stops short.

With the recent tragedy on Jenny Jones show and her pitiful denial of any responsibility, it is time for some suggestions for action. I am firm believer in the First Amendment but it does not allow absolute freedom to hurt. The classic yelling “fire” in a crowded theater would seem to apply here.Is America so bankrupt of values to allow any show the right of incitement to kill on daytime TV in pursuit of the capitalistic dream? This may finally be where capitalism falls down in the most dangerous way possible. Broadcasters have lost the right to self-regulate.

Not enough for you? Bring on the lions.

DAVE COLLIE

Sherman Oaks