To the editor:

In response to Chris Gladfelter’s Feb. 26 letter: It seems to me the only way you’re able to argue your side is to name call. Let’s start there.

Here is how you choose to describe me: “This unabashed bigotry runs rampant in such persons who let ignorance stifle their capacity to empathize with fellow human beings.” Bigot? I have been called a lot of things, but never a bigot. How can you equate empathy with acceptance?

Here’s what I think the root of all this is: guilt; guilt at knowing that you have chosen to behave in a way that society sees as unnatural. This attempt to validate a behavior by denigrating anything that goes against it, to delegitimize something in order to legitimize another, is wrong. Trying to force society to endorse a particular behavior needs to stop.

I have traveled this country for a lot of years. I have worked with a lot of people who are homosexual. I have only reached my opinion after talking with and observing the people who choose to participate in that behavior.

When I speak up for my beliefs on marriage, it is of one man and one woman, the gay community calls me intolerant.

There are two definitions that you need to look up: bigot and civil rights. Please realize the first just may apply to you and the second does not.

M. Lindeman,

Lawrence