To the Editor:
After reading Amanda Dolasinski’s commentary, “Leering Eye of the Straight Guy” (Oct. 23), I felt compelled to write a response. I appreciated and understood her sentiments about wanting a place to go free from perverts and extremely forward guys. But I found her assertion that bisexual men were selfish straight men who prolong picking a side and have no place in a gay bar extremely offensive.
Commentaries are supposed to be an illustration of the author’s opinion, not unsubstantiated and blatantly hurtful statements. Dolasinski states that she doesn’t believe in bisexuality. While she is entitled to her opinion, simply saying “bisexual people know exactly what they want, but they’re just putting off deciding because they enjoy the attention from both sides too much” without giving any evidence to validate her point doesn’t qualify as a newsworthy commentary.
She also writes that gay bars should be a place where straight women can go without worrying about being hit on, and again I must ask “says who?” Gay bars, by definition, are establishments that cater primarily to a gay clientele. Bisexuals, who are attracted to people of the same sex, technically fit that definition. If anything, they have more of a right to be there than heterosexuals do.
Lastly, I take issue with her assumption that all women are shocked and upset about bisexuals hitting on them at a bar. Gay bars are, in most respects, similar to any other bar or club. People go to them for a variety of reasons, one of which is to meet and flirt with the people there. It simply comes with the territory, and I think most people realize that. I believe commentaries are a crucial aspect of newspapers. They go beyond simply reporting facts and wrestle with relevant, complex and often controversial issues. They present readers with differing opinions and give a large salute to the diversity of human experiences.
Clara Alden-CoeColumbus, Ohio
