Queer Protests Ineffective

There has been much talk recently about "hate crimes" legislation in light of recent activities nationwide. Such legislation may or may not be necessary. Every citizen of the United States should be guaranteed equal protection and due process under the laws, but no one group should be given special privileges.

I have always believed that as morally reprehensible and wrong as their behavior is, it is nobody's business what homosexuals do behind closed doors. However, when they publicly demonstrate in the manner they did last week, it only hurts their chances for public acceptance.

Heterosexuals don't march around with signs saying, "We're heterosexual" or "My cat's straight." These juvenile posters with silly epitaphs that are hung to demonstrate gay "pride" only act to extend certain societal prejudices about people with different sexual orientations. Though no one deserves to get beaten or killed because of any belief or action, there are certain ways to greatly reduce the risks of these "hate crimes" from happening. PATRICK C. CROSETTO '02   Oct. 13, 1998