A gay life

'Jakarta Post' readers weigh in on media sensationalism and sensitivity to coverage of homosexuals

The Jakarta Post
Wednesday, August 6, 2008

True, the media is responsible to inform people about such matters. Letting society at large know about minorities. Equally important, but rarely forthcoming, are statistics which indicate the dissatisfaction and torment many gay people experience daily.

The suicide rates among the homosexual community are far higher than the wider community. Should we know about gay people? Should we tolerate them? Accept them? Absolutely. Should we celebrate their lifestyle? It's hardly a glamorous existence and many will die having lived a life full of sadness.

I hope the public you wish to "educate" also learn of such truths and that these truths will remain published even if society freely accepts gays. Because truths they will remain.
John Smith, Jakarta

Thank you for writing this editorial. I was actually a bit perplexed when I read The Jakarta Post's coverage on Ryan when it said something like, 'experts say Ryan's sexual preference has no connection to these murders' etc.

I didn't know what was the relevance of putting that in the article. But then I realized that we live in this society. Pluralistic society, my left foot.
Evelyn D., Jakarta

Date Posted: 8/6/2008