Biased Reporting in Gay History Article

To the Editor:

Re: “Bonilla and DeSaulnier Vote for Controversial New ‘Gay’ History Law,” this is an editorial which the publisher tries to disguise as “reporting.”

“Controversial?” Every law is controversial unless it is unanimously agreed on. This is just a prejudicial term as used here.

“Even as young as age 5” is loaded, not balanced reporting. We teach five-year-olds lots of things, why not this?

“There is no opt-out” is similarly loaded. Cherry-picking for prejudicial factors.

“Now, not only…” At this point Mr. Payton abandons any pretense at reporting and lays on his views.

“… those who have chosen that lifestyle and the behavior that it includes.” Rubbish. Homosexuality is no more a choice than being ugly, or being stupid, or being only 4′ 10″ tall. It happens. And has our good publisher a list of the “behavior” — bad behavior, naturally — that has occurred among the gay population of this city?

No, I’m not gay, or, as Mr. Payton puts it in quotes, “Gay,” as if the word were not part of the language yet. But I respect good journalism, and this is not journalism. So don’t pretend to be a newspaper, just let it all hang out.

Of course, we have to take a shot at the two Democratic legislators who voted their conscience. Meanwhile I’m sure the publisher, who I’m sure just hates laws and regulations like a good right-winger, takes full advantage of the postal service’s generosity in having the paper delivered to my mailbox, without even an address, at minimum cost, while it costs me $.44 to mail a letter.

Frank Scalpone
Antioch


4 Comments to “Biased Reporting in Gay History Article”

  1. Allen Payton says:

    Mr. Scalpone,
    Thank you for reading and for your letter.

    First, let me be clear, everything in my article was true and accurate.

    Second, you are wrong to compare being homosexual, bisexual or transsexual with something that may be innate.

    There is no empirical, scientific evidence that one is born homosexual, bisexual and certainly not transsexual.

    Until 1973 being homosexual was considered a mental disorder or mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association, when in “1970 Gay rights activists storm[ed] panels on homosexuality at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual convention in San Francisco” and the APA was pressured to reverse its position. That quote comes from the website created by the “LGBT Issues Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP).” Some professionals still consider it a mental illness.

    Even in a brochure on the APA website it states there’s no proof a person is born homosexual. It reads “What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation? There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.” Here’s the link: http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/orientation.aspx#

    So there’s no proof, scientific or otherwise. I would always only simply point out the differences in body parts and what those differences allow us humans to do – procreate for the propagation of our species. That can’t happen with just two men or just two women.

    As for stating that children as young as five will be taught the new subject matter, it’s in the law, to which I provided internet links for you or any other reader to check out for themselves.

    As for the legislators who voted for it being mentioned, that’s why it’s in the Antioch Herald. They both represent Antioch in the state legislature, for now, and they both are registered Democrats. Basic facts. If either or both had voted against it, we would probably have run the article as well with a different headline, since it’s a controversial and very divisive issue.

    Fortunately – and now I editorialize – for now the law is on hold, pending the outcome of the referendum effort that is underway.

    Thanks again for reading and taking the time to write your letter.

    Feel free to do so on any articles or subjects that we cover or you’d like to see covered in the Antioch Herald.

    Allen Payton
    Publisher

  2. Allen Payton says:

    Mr. Scalpone,

    As for our publication being mailed without postage on it, for now, we pay to insert the paper inside another publication, that has the postage indicia and the address of the recipient on it.

    As for the Post Office, they simply did the job they were paid to do, which was to deliver the mail, at the rate they charged.

    Allen Payton
    Publisher

  3. Harry Stoll says:

    Publisher Allen Payton’s views on homosexuality seem to be faith-based. Either he is reading the Christian Bible wrong or the Bible is wrong. Scientific evidence might be inconclusive about sexual orientation. I ask everybody to reflect on their life experience. Do you know a family member, a childhood friend, a schoolmate, a teacher, a teammate, somebody you served with in the military, a co-worker, a waiter, a clerk, or any other person you come into contact with who simply appears to be hard-wired for homosexuality?

    • Publisher says:

      Harry,
      They’re not just faith based. They’re based in science and physiologically.
      There is no empirical scientific evidence that one is born homosexual.
      I refer to the American Psychiatric Association’s own website that states in so many words there’s no proof either way.
      It’s also basic physiology. The parts of two males or two females don’t fit and don’t do what they’re designed to do, which is procreation.
      Plus, it’s from experience with individuals who have left the homosexual lifestyle and are straight, and married with children, today.
      I once heard it described like this: their problem is not between their legs, it’s between their ears.
      People can choose and do choose not to act on unnatural and immoral desires. Homosexuality and bisexuality are two of those.
      Allen Payton
      Publisher

Leave a Reply