Reader comments from www.advocate.com

In the March 15 issue, we asked:

Are lesbians and gays more sensitive to race issues than other Americans?

yes     43%
unsure   5%
no      52%

Note: Table made from pie chart.

* "You would think that of all groups the GLBT community would know better, but I've met gay people with racist attitudes, either outright or more subtle."

* "As much as I would like to think we would be more sensitive to race issues, I have seen too many instances in which those who are oppressed can so easily become the oppressors."

* "I know I am more sensitive to issues of other cultural groups. The ironic part is that those groups I am sensitive about are not sensitive to the rights of the GLBT community."

* "Some of us are more sensitive to it than others, but I believe that is more attributable to our experience with racial minorities rather than anything inherent in our own diversity."

* "I believe gays are more sensitive to race issues than other Americans because racism, like homophobia, is oppressive and prevents humanity from seeing the heart and soul of a person."

COPYRIGHT 2005 Liberation Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group