Lat Should Eat His Own Words

David B. Lat has made clear his opposition to homosexuality and anything associated with it. But in his recent column, he turns to arguments that scream nothing but hypocrisy ("Those Happy Homos," editorial, Oct. 18, 1994).

First, in his assault on National Coming Out Day, he attacks the idea of spending time to celebrate one's identity. One's sexual orientation, Lat argues, does not deserve respect because it is something "which you had no hand in bringing about and is morally neutral." He calls such "celebrations of diversity" "mutual masturbation festivals."

That makes Philippine Forum cultural festivals equally masturbatory; bad food, bad music, and Filipino cultural pride, all for the low price of $26,000. Maybe Let, until recently vice president of Philippine Forum, should eat his own words.

Also, Lat characterizes Coming Out Day as "pressuring individuals unsure of their sexual orientation to label themselves as homosexuals." How many of these pressured individuals are there? According to Lat's estimate, two or three.

It's surprising that Lat, no friend of minority concerns, feels such empathy with this tiny handful of people. Or is it?

We should take Lat's comments for what they are: knee-jerk opposition to anything and everything gay, for reasons of fear, antipathy, or envy. --Derek T. Ho, '96   Senior Editor, Perspective