COLUMN: Wrong in its comparisons

I’m writing in response to the My Turn opinion article by Stuart Bryan on Jan. 24.

I am deeply offended by Mr. Bryan’s opinion that the LGBT community should be categorized alongside polygamists and people who condone incest. I find both practices morally offensive. Not to mention both acts are illegal. The last time I checked being gay was not illegal. I can’t speak for other members of the LGBT community but all I want is to be treated with the same rights and respect that every heterosexual person enjoys. As I understand it that is what the Add the Words campaign is about. I understand that there are people out there who do not accept my homosexuality and I’m not asking them to. They have a right to their own opinion but they DO NOT have the right to limit my freedoms solely on the basis that they are intolerant of who I am. I was raised to believe that a pastor preached of love and acceptance not intolerance and bigotry. I respect Mr. Bryan’s opinion even though I vehemently disagree with it. I accept him for who he is; why can’t he do the same for me?

CHARLIE NEUREUTHER

Coeur d’Alene