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Bush's assault on gay youth

John D. Moore’s article, “The president’s assault on gay youth,” was an enlightening look at some of the lesser-considered consequences of the Bush Administration’s actions. However, as a gay youth, my response is not to feel down, but instead to take responsibility. I firmly believe that most people who oppose gay marriage and who are homophobic in general are so in part because they do not have experience with homosexuals. People who have gay and lesbian friends, family members and co-workers are more likely to be tolerant to homosexuality and understanding to gays and gay issues.

My response to Bush’s move toward a Constitutional Amendment is to come out, be open about who I am, and show people that I am a face of homosexuality – with my strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. Only by challenging mainstream America’s perceptions of what homosexuals are like (the answer to which is that we are just like everyone else) will we be able to bridge the gap of understanding about gay rights. I want to show everyone who may be close-minded about the issue that I am more like they are than they may expect, and that at the end of the day, we’re all human.

David Scott
Palo Alto, Calif.
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