My letter to the New York Times -

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to Benedict Carey's recent article "Gay, straight or lying?" (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/05/health/05sex.html) I am disturbed by your paper's lack of responsibility and public stewardship. The study cited in his article is not only new but it has not been subject to thorough peer review. Additionally this study's sample size and methodology, while physiologically based as compared to previously more "subjective" studies, are too small to draw significant conclusions. Quite frankly, this study should never have been the premise of an article in your paper. Until the test of time is passed with additional samples and peer review it is completely irresponsible to allow this type of article. You have lowered your high journalistic standards to the sensationalist, cheap standards of your tabloid competitors.

Articles like these serve no purpose but to further persecute those who are trying to live normal lives in a US society that is openly hostile to people whose sexuality does not match the "traditional" and provincial views of the past. Further scientific study is needed to dispell the ridiculous notion that sexuality is "choice" based and not genetic. In time there will be research to show this - but as with this article, that research should be thoroughly peer reviewed and tested before trying to influence public opinion. By not doing so creates and reinforces invalid stereotypes.

As a longtime reader I ask that you remove this article from your website and issue a retraction.

Sincerely,

WanderTOS

www.glaad.org - great watchdog to support responsible depictions of GLBT people in the media.