Treasures of humanity contributed by gays

Did the spectators in Sochi and television audience around the world witness the Russians paying homage to Pyotr Alexeyevich, anglicized Peter the Great, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky in their opening ceremony? The former, known as the King of Russia, is credited with forcibly pulling Russia out of the Middle Ages, thrusting it into the modern world and the latter, a musical genius, still captivating everyone for more than a century with his symphonies, ballets and operas, seen and heard by billions around the world.

Both were overtly homosexual. And yet, a recent survey in Russia has revealed contemporary attitudes toward homosexuality. Reports show that approximately 85 percent of the population has chosen to oppress this minority and ostensibly deprive them of their civil liberties-in their own country!

Imagine a world without the advent of Alexander the Great who carried the Greek language to the known world, that Christianity would have a spoken and written word to spread the gospel beyond the shores of Galilee? Or Aristotle and Socrates - scientists, teachers and philosophers who gave the Western world its footing to form lasting civilizations.

Conceive our condition today without a Michelangelo or a da Vinci. Or a Walt Whitman whose elegy of Lincoln in his "Oh Captain, My Captain" stirred the hearts of millions. All were homosexual, gay, as we call them today, all bestowing incomparable gifts in every form, undoubtedly, matchless treasures to humanity.

How can anyone fail to notice the obvious contradiction in this 22nd Winter Olympiad without recognizing the priceless contributions of such men in the illustrious history of Russia and of the world?

James D. Cook

Schaumburg