Sen. Craig's Resignation
Wednesday, September 5, 2007; Page A20
Regarding the Sept. 2 news story "Sen. Craig Bids Voters of Idaho Farewell":
The arrest and resignation of Sen. Larry Craig offers a fine example of the media missing the key point of a story: We still have a group of people who are so fearful of the stigma of being labeled gay that they are relegated to engaging in sexual encounters in public restrooms. Shame on us for putting this group of normally law-abiding and productive members of society in such a position. Readers should consider the last time they visited one of these places, which hardly suffice for bathroom functions, much less romantic interludes.
We seem still to have a group of people who are routinely discriminated against, and it seems to be considered okay. That is the real travesty of Mr. Craig's situation.
ROBERT GELLER
Should it turn out (and I make no predictions) that Sen. Larry Craig is a closeted married homosexual, then Mrs. Craig will be in the position that I and untold numbers of an invisible minority have been in.
We are the "straight spouses," unknowingly married to gays and lesbians. When we discover that fact, often years into a marriage in which we knew something was "not right" but did not know what it was, we experience a whirlwind of emotions: intense isolation, anger, hurt, fear and grief.
We think we are alone, that this has never happened to anyone else. Not true. It has. And there is help out there.
CAROLYN SEGA
LOWENGART
The writer is a member of the board of directors of the nonprofit Straight Spouse Network.
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