To the editor:

Tim Kelly’s Monday letter attributed HIV to mostly homosexual behavior. Once again we read someone’s justification for intolerance and are reminded of America’s finger-pointing when times get tough.

Despite all the methods of converting gays to heterosexuality suggested on the Daily’s opinion pages these past weeks, it should be obvious that homosexuals are not contributing to a fad or passing through a phase. To imply that one can be converted from something that seems as natural to them as kissing a girl does to you, Mr. Kelly, is just silly. Homosexuals are here, in our community, in every community.

What I have found the most discomforting in Mr. Kelly’s letter was the only solution he come up with was the conversion of gays. This reflects a very selfish attitude. Perhaps they do not want to be converted. What then? You cannot make gays become straight even if this goofy solution works.

Many Americans are repulsed by AIDS and want to expel its victims from society so as to prevent themselves from contracting AIDS. Usually the first question asked is, “How did they get it?” Too much effort has been spent trying to trace the disease’s origin and place responsibility on the gay population.

If you do not want to contract HIV, protect yourself. Surely we all know how to do this by now. The focus in America should be, “How can we help?”

Most people know someone with AIDS. Instead of pointing the finger and saying “Look what you have done to my community!” perhaps you could look at what your embarrassing attitude is saying about the world we live in today.

Jackie Gardner

Sophomore

Sociology