Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unfortunate

It is unfortunate that at a time when the media are moving towards a healthy trend of treating homosexuality fairly, The Hindu has published a factually incorrect article ("Drawing the rights line," Open Page, Oct. 29). The frequent use of the word "abnormal" in the article to drive home the author's preconceived notion about homosexuality is unwarranted. It is strange that while it has been universally accepted that homosexuality is neither a perversion nor an illness, the "paramedical person" feels it is abnormal and young people could become victim of the abnormality! It is because of such people that misconceptions about homosexuality are still prevalent.

Babu Srinivasan,
Eagan, Minnesota

* * *

It is amazing that the author uses her paramedical background to lend credence to her views, and goes on to make scientifically inaccurate statements to justify them. The statement that it is "an altogether socially, ethically and medically unacceptable idea to treat them [homosexuals] as normal" is particularly puzzling. I can understand the `social' part that varies from culture to culture, based on the level of awareness and understanding people have on homosexuality. But where does the `ethical' aspect come from?

The author obviously has no idea of how the medical world views homosexuality. Her assertion that there are no homosexuals among any species of animals amply demonstrates her ignorance on the issue.

Ajit Dash,
Cambridge, Massachusetts

* * *

If all activities done in private and with consent can be permitted, prostitution and corruption can also be decriminalised. Let us not heed such advice.

S. Vanmeekanathan,
Chennai

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