dyer@wivax.UUCP (Stephen Dyer) (10/14/83)
I appreciate Mark's remarks, and am sure that they will have a strong impact on the integration of 'net.motss' into the mainstream of USENET groups. Still, I must take issue with one of his comments, doubtless well-meaning. I am presenting this publically, because I feel that they are shared by other members of the net. To wit: "...As long as THE GAYS [my emphasis] act responsibly, they deserve the same consideration we give the other special-interest newsgroups..." No one has said anything about a particular sexual preference being a prerequisite for submissions to this newsgroup. No one proposing this newsgroup has made any statement about his own sexual preference. The comment reflects a certain "Us vs. Them" polarity, which is unnecessary, unfounded, and ultimately damaging to one of the goals of the net-- mutual understanding through better communication. Would one say for 'net.women': "...As long as the women act responsibly..."?? Hardly. What's more, articles posted by men outnumber those by women! I should hope that the same flouting of categories holds for 'net.motss'. It is, of course, a forum for the discussion of gay issues. But there is room for everybody within its circumscribed goals. /Steve Dyer decvax!wivax!dyer decvax!genrad!wjh12!bbncca!sdyer
mark@cbosgd.UUCP (10/17/83)
Steve Dyer's comments are well taken. I trust you all know what I meant. The point is that anyone who submits to net.motss is expected to behave responsibly. (This applies to every other newsgroup, except, perhaps, net.flame, but it's especially important for net.motss.) Mark