Dear Editor,

In response to the recent editorial “The GSA [Gay Straight Alliance] deserves as much respect as the FCS [Fellowship of Christian Students],” I would like to address some issues the editorial overlooked and created. These issues are some hypocritical statements, the attack on Christians and conservatives, and facts being replaced by bias and speculation.

The editorial began by saying that all people should be treated equal, but attacked Christians and conservatives. Saying one thing and doing the opposite is very hypocritical. Editorials are supposed to support a certain opinion but this went every which way to make the FCS look bad. Basically, the editorial went against everything it claims it stands for. Even though it is an opinion piece, it should have a clear supported opinion.

I am not a member of the FCS, but I am a Christian. I am not a member of the GSA but I respect everybody in it. What I do not respect, however, is the fact that this editorial personally attacks conservatives and Christians. The editorial accuses Christian students of tearing down posters based solely on the fact that some extremists from Christian groups have shown dislike to homosexuals, then makes the assertion that obviously it was the Christians who did this. The editorial uses a quote from the Bible trying to make Christians look bad. The editorial’s title was correct, GSA members do indeed deserve as much respect as the FCS. But the FCS deserves as much respect as the GSA, and neither deserve special treatment.

I don’t understand how conservatives were brought into this. When anywhere have conservatives been defined as hating homosexuals? Doing some research, I found the definition of what conservatives are: “Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense.” Conservatives believe the “role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals” (Student News Daily). Nothing about hating homosexuals is expressed there, unless you interpret “traditional American values” like that. Although to me that means belief in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Conservatives have no part in this issue, they’re just being blamed.  As a matter of fact, it turns out the FCS have no right to be blamed either.

Zero evidence was presented in this editorial. The only quote used throughout the entire thing was the quote from the Bible. There was no evidence, only accusations. I understand this was an opinion piece, but even editorials need evidence to back up the opinion. Without evidence, the editorial is just a series of verbal attacks and accusations. The editorial does not deliver any supported opinions or facts, it just accuses and insults Christians and conservatives. Editorials should inform, not offend.

Not only are conservatives and Christians being singled out, but the editorial is going against what the GSA stands for. The GSA was created to stop negative attitudes towards homosexuals and create equality. Equality does not mean special treatment. If a poster from any other club was torn down, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But a GSA poster is torn down and it’s suddenly an attack on the club and their safety? How is that equal treatment? Equality means equal, not special. So before people start talking about equality, they should understand its meaning. It seems our “politically correct” society has forgotten.

Sincerely,

Luke Pickett