This is a letter I wrote several weeks ago in response to a Star Focus article on the issue of same-sex marriage in New York State, which contained remarks that put the LGBTQ rights movement in a negative light.

To the Editor,

I am writing in response to an article featured in The Star Focus on May 2, 2009, titled “City Fathers against Same Sex Union” by Lim Ai Lee. I am quite appalled by the inaccuracy of facts, biased reporting, and normative presumptions contained in hir article.

I take issue with hir very first sentence. Saying that New York State is the “only place in the United States where moral values still reign high as far as same sex marriage is concerned” reveals hir bigotry with regards to a legal – not a moral – issue. Hir many quotations of New York’s new Archbishop Timothy Dolan only underscores the one-sidedness of hir article.

It is certainly obvious that Lim’s moral values are a myopic mono-religious worldview that disregards the plurality of cultures, religions, and political backgrounds in the US. One wonders what other bishops are saying. Indeed, I would question Dolan’s ignorant appropriation of science in his public statements. No scientist would agree with the statement that “DNA” dictates any sort of “right and wrong”. Legal advocates for victims of sex abuse such as the Survivors’ Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) have also criticized Dolan for his conduct and handling of priests accused of sexual misconduct [1] .

More importantly, Lim’s facts are themselves inaccurate. In hir article, ze reported that “same sex marriage is already legal in Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Iowa, and on Thursday, New Hampshire…” On the contrary, at the time of publishing, only Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Iowa have legalized same sex marriage. On May 6, Maine followed and legalized same sex marriage. Only civil unions are legal in New Hampshire, at the time Lim’s article was written. The same sex marriage bill is still waiting for the decision of Governor John Lynch.

To add further to Lim’s slew of wrong facts, New York presently recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, while its State Assembly has recently passed a same-sex marriage bill on May 12, and is now pending a vote on the bill by the Senate [2] .

Lim has also unashamedly failed to distinguish between several other facts. Gov. David Paterson’s unpopularity has nothing to do with his support for the same sex marriage bill. His drop in popularity was due to the fact that voters disapproved of his secret budget negotiations, opposed pay raises, and decision to layoff 8900 state workers [3] .

I plead that the Star will review Lim’s articles for accurate reporting. Through this one article alone, it is clear that Lim has manipulated facts, made sweeping assumptions and biased reporting. Although I recognize that it is an Oped column, the article is misleading because it is written in an authoritative voice. I suggest Lim writes hir opinions as opinions and not try to veil hir conservative values as a news story.

Sincerely,
Student
Boston, MA
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[1] http://www.stlbeacon.org/nation/dolan_to_shepherd_new_york_catholics
[2] http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/13/new.york.same.sex.marriage/
[3] http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/24/news/economy/ny_state_layoffs/index.htm