It's Time for Psychological Association to Take a Stand
Letter to the editor by David Muskera

For those who continue to read the HD, you might note that Jack Burnett was for the second time in 3 weeks given a “guest column” forum to continue his diatribes about gay issues. I can’t help but wonder what the editorial motivation of doing this might be for the Dispatch other than to promulgate its own beliefs or to somehow hope that a good hot debate will help bolster its lagging sales figures. I don’t plan on writing any response to Mr. Burnett’s most recent rantings. He is apparently impervious to such debate and has been given his own agenda to follow.

I have however, sent copies of all the letters to Dr. Rick Gross, President of the West Virginia Psychological Association. As a state Association, it is the “voice” of professional psychology in West Virginia and has the provision of accurate information on psychological issues to consumers and the media as a primary mission. Several years ago, the Association took a written stance on gay and lesbian civil rights issues supporting the passage of local and state legislation designed to protect sexual orientation from discrimination in housing, employment and other basic areas of civil rights.

I believe it is again time for the Association and others to stand and be heard. The continued publication of columns such as written by minds like Burnett provide the only proof needed that our gay and lesbian fellow-citizens should be included in anti-discrimination legislation. Again, I point out that Mr. Burnett would never get into print if he were saying negative things he might believe about African-Americans, native Americans, Jewish people, or any other identified groups.

This issue is beyond freedom of speech! Yelling “fire” in a crowed theater when there is no fire does not classify as protected behavior under our Constitution. So too, spreading lies and misinformation about gays must come to an end, at least in the public media! The minds of some can never be changed. Some still sheeth and have murderous thoughts about seeing a mix-race couple walk hand-in-hand down a public street. But they don’t get a guest column in the local paper to spread their hatred!

David J. Muskera
Huntington, WV
Licensed WV Psychologist