A principled defense.

• Author: Hinz, David
• Position: Letter to the Editor

After reading Ruth Conniff's article "Rick Santorum's America" (October issue), one would think that progressives are as afraid to espouse principles of sexual justice as the conservative Senator from Pennsylvania himself.

In her article, Conniff fails to confront one of the most vitriolic homophobes in Washington with a principled defense of those whose non-normative sexualities make them most vulnerable to Santorum-style gay-bashing. Readers of The Progressive might expect at least a few words of support for those queers who are striving against increasingly formidable odds to maintain a public culture of sexuality where freedom and individuality are honored, diversity is respected, and information is shared.

Instead, Conniff trots out a mythic lesbian couple with a meticulously manicured lawn...