Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site wivax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!dyer
From: dyer@wivax.UUCP (Stephen Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.news.group,net.news.adm,net.motss
Subject: Re: electronic vandalism
Message-ID: <18877@wivax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Oct-83 00:22:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: wivax.18877
Posted: Fri Oct 14 00:22:51 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Oct-83 04:32:27 EDT
References: <647@ulysses.UUCP>, <816@drux3.UUCP>, <428@cbosgd.UUCP>
Organization: Wang Institute, Tyngsboro, Ma.  01879
Lines: 25

I appreciate Mark's remarks, and am sure that they will have a strong impact
on the integration of 'net.motss' into the mainstream of USENET groups.
Still, I must take issue with one of his comments, doubtless well-meaning.
I am presenting this publically, because I feel that they are shared by
other members of the net.  To wit:

"...As long as THE GAYS [my emphasis] act responsibly, they deserve
the same consideration we give the other special-interest newsgroups..."

No one has said anything about a particular sexual preference being a
prerequisite for submissions to this newsgroup.  No one proposing this
newsgroup has made any statement about his own sexual preference.
The comment reflects a certain "Us vs. Them" polarity, which is unnecessary,
unfounded, and ultimately damaging to one of the goals of the net--
mutual understanding through better communication.  Would one say
for 'net.women':  "...As long as the women act responsibly..."??
Hardly.  What's more, articles posted by men outnumber those by women!

I should hope that the same flouting of categories holds for 'net.motss'.
It is, of course, a forum for the discussion of gay issues.  But there
is room for everybody within its circumscribed goals.

/Steve Dyer
decvax!wivax!dyer
decvax!genrad!wjh12!bbncca!sdyer