The following is a letter I found in The Topeka Capital-Journal
Hope seen in TopekaI know hatred. I know what it is like to have a group of young punks armed with baseball bats show up at my door yelling, "We're going to show you what we do to fags in this neighborhood." I know the fear and the hatred I felt in return as I grabbed my shotgun and ran them away.
I know hatred. I know the hatred spilling from his eyes as Fred Phelps defiled the ceremony I was attending which honored the love and devotion two women had shown each other for over 30 years.
I know hatred. I know the hatred fermented as the Pope tells Catholics around the world that homosexuality is "intrinsically evil." I know the hatred spawned as ministers and preachers feel free to describe my life and the lives as my friends as "the homosexual lifestyle," a meaningless phrase designed simply to elicit fear and hate.
I know hatred. I know the hatred expressed by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as they went on nationwide TV smearing patriotic and God-loving gays and lesbians with the brush of treason and sedition as they tried to lay blame for the horrific terrorist attacks on the backs of homosexuals and others with whose politics they don't agree.
And now I know hope. His name is Jared.
And now I see hope. It is your editorial of Sept. 16.
God bless Jared, the Topeka Capital-Journal and all the good people of Topeka who are fed up with hate. The people of America, particularly those of us who are so often the victims of hatred, notice and are appreciative.
-- PAUL BARWICK, San Francisco
More:
http://cjonline.com/stories/110101/opi_edletters.shtml