Home | LIST OF LETTERS as published by the Bellingham Herald since August of 1995. | Nonviolent Protest won't work against Saddam | Bush right with stance on Iraq | Where does domination of those who disagree with U.S. end? | Election policy complaints raised against county auditor | Help buy school supplies for kids in need | Religion belongs in minds and hearts, not government | Pause to give thanks to those who protect us | Use nonviolent methods to change government | Urge senators to help Vietnamese find peace | Letter writer Sheila Richardson | Former G-P employees have found success in new fields | Appreciation for three sergeants who gave lives | Domestic partnerships help prevent spread of AIDS | Donate to help victims of Sept. 11 attacks | LETTER TO COLIN POWELL | B.C. should be working to protect own air shed | Another View: County displays tolerance | *Anti-bullying laws must cover sexual orientation* | Canada's complaints about SE2 hypocritical | *Gay man's appointment to AIDS office shows openness* | Skeletons in our Closet | Protecting communities' health must remain a priority | *Scouts can accommodate drag queens* | WE CAN WORK IT OUT | *Bush must protect civil rights, unite divided nation* | gamble on DIVERSITY | *United Way, Boy Scouts improve lives; give to both* | *UNITED WAY, Thank you * | Lighthouse Mission helps those who have fallen | THE DIVINE HAWKS (Vietnamese Marines) | *AIDS Memorial Quilt* | *Stable relationships advantageous for society* | SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (USS Cole) | THE MOVING WALL, Vietnam War Memorial | *UNITED WAY II (Boy Scouts)* | *UNITED WAY (Boy Scouts)* | Protect democracy and Lummi tribal traditions | Americans, Vietnamese gave up much in war | *Fairness Demands Boy Scouts Measure the Morals of all Members* | *Dr. Laura, Supporters Encourage Intolerance* | Science must not Trample Cultural Rights | Country must accept Senate's Verdict | *Urge leaders to protect all people* | Give a child a Christmas present | *Let People Choose their own Paths* | Gift of Microscope will help Community | *Gay Children need Support, not Criticism* | Lummis Face Difficult Task | *Explain Facts to Political Party* | Freedom of Speech Assists Government | THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT | Urges Financial Support for Mt. Baker Theater | *Society Needs Stable Relationships* | *God's Messengers Add Bias to Bible* | Senior Center provides vital community service | Help Support Toys for Tots | Mount Baker Theatre a Passageway to the Future | Mt Baker must get Lean, Mean | SUPORT URGED FOR WHATCOM LAND TRUST | *PROVIDE SAFE, SECURE EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL* | *SEXUAL MINORITIES DESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS* | *HALT CAMPAIGN AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGES* | LOST VOTES UNDERMINE SYSTEM'S INTEGRITY | OFFERS RULES FOR LATE-TERM ABORTIONS | DISCRIMINATION THRU QUOTAS IS WRONG | *CHOOSE WHICH VALUES YOU WILL ADHERE TO* | *DON'T DENY GOD'S WILL* | *AIDS IS NOT A HOMOSEXUAL DISEASE* | Abortion, Welfare Stands are Unjust | *DON'T TEACH TWO SETS OF STANDARDS* | *EXPAND DEFINITION OF FAMILY* | *LACK OF TAX DEDUCTION HURTS KIDS* | *MARITAL LAW ILL SUITED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE* | DARWIN FISH IS THE WALKING CATFISH | *SOME LEGISLATORS TARGET THE WRONG ENEMY* | *LET HOMOSEXUALS DEVELOP SAME TRADITIONS* | *ALL MARRIAGES SHOULD BE HONORED* | *LESBIAN COMMUNITY MAKES CONTRIBUTIONS* | *OFFER MEDICAL BENEFITS INDISCRIMINATELY* | *DON'T SIGN PETITION FOR BIASED I-166* | *I-166, I-167 PROMOTE CULTURAL GENOCIDE* | BIOLOGICAL DECISIONS ARE A WOMAN'S DECISION | LIST | DONATIONS URGED FOR SCHOOLKIDS
sheilas-letters
*Dr. Laura, Supporters Encourage Intolerance*

Dr. Laura, Supporters encourage intolerance
As published in the Bellingham Herald on June 8th, 2000

Dr. Laura Schlessinger and a recent letter writer who wrote about homosexuality have similar views of my community and myself. They depict us as deviant and vile.

Currently I am pursuing a second career through Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College. I have two grown children and two grandchildren. When I am not attending classes I do volunteer work to improve our community and our city. At the end of this month I will retire (happiness) from work but not from life.

The only major difference between my lifestyle and the letter writer's is my choice of partner. It is not my place to criticize his choice of a life partner. However, he defines my choice as deviant and vile.

He and Dr. Laura do not give a balanced view of my community. They complain that their right to free speech is being stifled. It has been more than a year since my voice was silenced.

He and Dr. Laura express a distorted picture of my community. This distortion encourages violence and intolerance against us. We live in fear of being killed, losing our jobs and other acts intended to harm us.

The members of my community want to live in our city without fear, go to work and raise our families. I do not believe that these needs rise to thel level of deviant and vile.
Sheila L Richardson
Bellingham