Re: “AIDS activists dissed at N.C. State”

I am greatly displeased by the persistent symptoms of an ignorant and intolerant community at NCSU. However, I am not surprised. As a member of the student body, I have not seen the evidence of a supportive and enlightened majority as some would claim. Like in much of our society, the moderate and compassionate voices on campus make themselves heard infrequently. This seems to stem from an unfortunate combination of fear and apathy. The oppressive attitudes concerning homosexuality and queer issues are expressed from the highest levels of government and pervade our culture and laws. Consequently, it is still very unpopular for most any citizen to publicly express open-mindedness regarding this civil issue, and only the strongest and most personally-affected individuals tend to do so. I applaud the forward-thinking behavior of "key" members of the NCSU administration, but the strategic silence from the highest echelons of this university is neither honorable nor responsible. People and their right to respectful treatment are being abused, and the uppermost administration quails at taking even a vocal stand in the name of decency. I believe that if an officially "protected" and societally-codified classification of people were being so publicly mistreated, the leaders of the NCSU community would act to defend the group and make unambiguous statements of support for all to hear. This is an issue of integrity in the face of degenerate behavior, and it is very telling that those appointed to stand for higher ideals do nothing.