Real pictures needed

I received the Nov. 1998 copy of PIM a few days ago. One of the articles, "Gay Pacific Island men too shy for their own good,” haunts me. It is not the valuable content of the article, but the illustration that is the problem.

What does a conspicuous file photo of two flamboyant gay drag queens have to do with PI men at risk for disease?

Nothing. The image only further stereo types people already very much misunder stood and many times abused.

In cultures where homosexuality is feared, in large part because of stereotyp ing, gays are forced into the isolation of "the closet” along with their families. No wonder gay men, in particular those who are at risk for AIDS, will not come for ward. Reasons for the unfounded cultural fears of homosexuality are many, but that is another subject.

Editors, don’t compound the problem.

Throw out those hackneyed file photos and look for images that portray reality.

Shirley Barnes

1 7 Mariposa Rd.

Santa Fe NM 87505

U.S.A.

email: [email protected]