To the Editor:
This is in response to a letter in the Jan. 20 issue of The Dartmouth. It was written by a '98 (J. Ryan Gilfoil) in response to the sending of Christian materials to all '02s. I would greatly appreciate your printing this response, as I believe Gilfoil merely perpetuates the stereotype that homosexuality is a choice.
He says: "The parallels with mailings sent by campus homosexual groups in the past are interesting -- I can remember several messages which encouraged 'curious' students to try homosexuality to see whether they enjoyed it. Yet I do not recall anyone complaining about this 'conversion' attempt."
In response to Gilfoil's letter, I believe that he is sorely mistaken by the purposes of the "campus homosexual groups." I certainly do not think the DRA or GLBT Programming Director would send out any letters trying to "convert" people to homosexuality. They might suggest that confused or questioning students get in touch with someone that can help or provide them with resources and information, but they never try to "convert" people's sexual orientation. Gilfoil obviously shares one of the common misconceptions about homosexuality -- that it is a choice. Whereas one can choose to be Christian or Jewish or Muslim or any religion or following, one's sexual orientation is not a choice and people cannot be "converted" from straight to gay or vice versa. I would have hoped that, after four years at an Ivy League institution, he would have learned that much.