This cartoon used a bear attack story which made repeated reference to the fact that the bear was a "sow" as a jumping-off point for a reminder of the Boy Scouts' opposition to gays.

The reader reaction... another glaring example of satirical illiteracy among the humor-impaired. The reader takes the cartoon entirely too literally. He suggests that it is the responsibility of the media to stoop to self-censorship to the point of appealing exclusively to the lowest common denominator. He argues that NOT to dumb down is to "condone violence."

I'm surprised he didn't also complain that the cartoon sent the unfortunate messages that bears are all transvestites who have bad taste in hats, wear too much lipstick and read too many newspapers. Are we not remiss if we do not take every possible precaution to avoid "sending" those "messages" to those who might read the cartoon that way?

READER REACTION:

Cartoon sends wrong message
Some comments about last Friday's editorial cartoon portraying the "gay" bear reacting to the Boy Scouts: We assume the cartoon was intended to be humorous, but truthfully, folks, we're not sure everyone will see it that way. It also sends two very unfortunate messages -- that gay people hate the Boy Scouts, and that gay people typically use violence against homophobes. As a representative of OutFront Minnesota (the only statewide gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy agency), and as overall director of our agency's anti-violence work, I have to say a loud "No!" to those two messages. As much as I disagree with the Boy Scouts' unwelcome stance on gay and bisexual scouts and leaders, I cannot condone any kind of violence being done toward the organization or its individual representatives. Nor do we as an agency ever suggest that homophobia be answered with violence. So please, next time, be aware of the messages you're sending.
Doug Federhart, deputy director, OutFront Minnesota

AUGUST 18, 1999- EDITORIAL/OPINIONS - Letters to the Editor - Minnesota Daily