LETTER: Both sides need tolerance

Editor,

I recently attended a rally for a petition against same-sex marriage drafted by the College Republicans. I situated myself in the more outspoken region of the crowd, opposite the College Republicans. Unfortunately, I chose to voice my opinions to a neighbor, and immediately I was hounded by those around me for being “homophobic,” “ignorant,” “racist,” and other expletives. I soon realized that anyone who openly disagreed with same-sex marriage were similarly insulted. Yet a great number of these same people screamed out words like “diversity,” “open-mindedness,” and most importantly, “tolerance.”

I find it humorous that some of these people expect other students to take them seriously. In all honesty, I felt quite divided on the issue, seeing that some close family members as well as friends are homosexuals. But after watching proponents of same-sex marriage throw wedding cake and scream out obscenities, I found it both difficult and embarrassing to find common ground with them.

Tolerance? So if someone disagrees with homosexuality, they are automatically a homophobe? What a tolerant and open-minded accusation. It looks like some people should begin by looking up the word before they make a radical judgment on another person. Homophobia is a “fear of or contempt for lesbians and gay men.” After the rally, the definition seemed to change to “a difference of opinion.”

I think it would be beneficial for some of these “open-minded” students to look at real forms of homophobia. I urge you to read the Nazi Criminal Code of 1935 paragraph 174 and 175, and then after you have read that come and label me “homophobic.” To those that called me a “racist,” I would ask you to visit the country of South Africa and take a good look at the conditions of the local black population. Until then, don’t make absurd accusations about racism. A negligent use of these words only allows them to become obsolete, think about that.

Apparently tolerance and diversity are not issues, for the diversity of opinion sure seems to be a negative thing with the proponents of tolerance.

Marc Neilsen