Silence

There is a very hate-filled man from Topeka who makes it his business to go about the country protesting against the existence of homosexuals. Among other things, this man (and his followers) appeared at the funeral of Matthew Shepard (the gay man who was crucified in Wyoming) waving signs proclaiming that Shepard was in hell because god hates gays.

Every time this man performs one of his acts of hate, the press -- and particularly the gay press -- goes crazy, and a big deal is made. Today, for example, he's in Boston trying to ruin the weddings that some people have waited a lifetime for; and the press is already giving him lots of coverage.

Toward this man and his ilk, I think we should be guided by a truth that we've all learned only fairly recently: that silence equals death.

If we want this man's hateful ideas to die -- then we should treat them with silence. Do not answer them, do not argue them, do not publicize them, do not acknowledge them. Simply be silent, and let them die a well-deserved death.

For decades, silence was used as a weapon against the gay community...a very effective weapon. Now, the gay community should start using that weapon against its own enemies.

M.