OFFENSIVE TERM
I was quite interested to learn of Oscar Wilde’s visit to Springfield in your recent story (“Springfield, the entertainment capital, 1800s-style,” May 30). However, I was disappointed and frustrated to see the word “homosexual” used in the story. Here is the GLAAD (an organization founded by LGBT people in the media) media guide discussing the offensive nature of this term when used in the manner that it was in your paper:
Offensive: “homosexual” (n. or adj.) Preferred: “gay” (adj.); “gay man” or “lesbian” (n.); “gay person/people”
Please use gay or lesbian to describe people attracted to members of the same sex. Because of the clinical history of the word “homosexual,” it is aggressively used by anti-gay extremists to suggest that gay people are somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered – notions discredited by the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association in the 1970s. Please avoid using “homosexual” except in direct quotes. Please also avoid using “homosexual” as a style variation simply to avoid repeated use of the word “gay.” The Associated Press, The New York Times and The Washington Post restrict use of the term “homosexual.”
Jason Pierceson
Springfield
MANAR SHOULD SERVE ON BOARD
As my state senator, I applaud Senator Andy Manar’s work in obtaining two seats for state lawmakers on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation’s board (“Statues, Lincoln and football,” May 30). I also hope that the board strongly considers Senator Manar himself as one of those two lawmakers to be added. I believe the Senator would be a person who can bring a thorough, thoughtful perspective to the board’s duties.
Kim Matthew Bauer
Via illinoistimes.com
FINDING HOMES FOR FERAL CATS
I ran across the article “Rescue cats to the rescue” in People magazine (May 20) about a program that places cats at businesses and thought it might be a great answer to our feral cat problem out by the college. I have a friend who was able to bring two cats into her place of employment, and they are just part of the family now.
I have also read articles about people who had land who dedicated it to animals needing homes to save them from kill shelters and they allowed people to come and “pet for free” to keep the animals social. It decreased stress for visitors and some found their forever homes.
We have a lot of people in Springfield who love animals, who have connections and who know how to network. I would like to throw down a challenge for those people to work together to find a solution, rather than write a story about the problem.
Patricia Fehr
Springfield