Dear Editor:
I've been reading of the events surrounding the Burnaby school board's decision to implement a program aimed at diminishing the incidence of antigay violence, bloodshed and discrimination. These programs, which are in effect throughout much of the province, are opposed - of course, by the usual right-wing suspects.
As a gay man who has lived on the West Coast for the past three decades plus - including both Vancouver and San Diego - I've never been subjected to violence, intimidation or discrimination that I was aware of. But almost everyone I've known has been. This includes three friends over the past 25 years who were murdered in hate crimes of exceptional violence that have never been solved.
The core reasons they happened to begin with, and remain unresolved, are self-evident, but have been proven by research in recent years, according to the RCMP, the FBI, Interpol and Scotland Yard: Attitudes and beliefs, based on the rhetoric of conservative groups and individuals, against the very existence of homosexual persons are those reasons. Keep in mind the fact that, for example, the religious right have never restricted themselves to beliefs based on verses from the Bible. Rather, they have consistently used lies, slander and defamation to further their agenda. They must figure that the ends justify the means.
I write, however, to point out that even those such as journalists - who should be unbiased, and may even feel they are - refer to an educational program meant to foster tolerance and non-violence, as "controversial."
Controversial? Only to those with an inherent disrespect for human and civil rights, and human dignity.
To those who state how tired they are of hearing about gay rights, I say we've barely begun.
If I had endless resources, and could return to a long gone state of youth, I'd love to be the etiology of relentless headaches for those who view diversity and human lives with malice aforethought.
Hugh (Bart) Vincelette, Burnaby
