Gay-bashing letter a disappointment

I was saddened and disgusted by the Daily Herald's decision to publish the hateful words of Wayne Lela (Jan. 20). Mr. Lela calls homosexuality a disorder and defames all gays and lesbians with this. I understand that this is a letter from a private citizen and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Daily Herald, but as a reader I am disturbed that the staff would allow such disgusting and hateful words into print. Would the Daily Herald publish a letter that defames African-Americans or Jewish people this way, or are gays and lesbians allowed to have this vitriol published against them? There can be discourse about gay rights in the Daily Herald, but it should be civil. Did you ask yourself what might happen to the young gay student who picks up the paper and sees this directed toward him or the mother who reads this filth in the paper against her daughter? Please consider this when deciding whether to publish such hateful letters in the future. I truly hope not to have to read another letter as hateful or misinformed as this in the Daily Herald.

Bryan Thompson

Lisle