Confronting Islam.

Thank you for the articles on Islam's treatment of gays and lesbians ["Radical Islam in Your Backyard," May 23]. I used to make fun of people who in the '60s were afraid of Communism. From what I read of the woman in New York, now I'm afraid of radical Islam--and I live in a large gay community in South Florida. Gays must unite to fight this kind of thing in Europe and the United States. I strongly urge GLBT people to join Amnesty International's Project Outfront.

ROBERT ANDREWS Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In fundamentalist Muslim countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran, gay men are legally killed for the crime of being gay. Religious bigotry is often behind gay bashing here, especially in our Bible Belt red states. Fundamentalists of any stripe believe they have the word of God and reject any modern idea that homosexuality is an natural expression. They're our enemies whether they're quoting the Bible or the Koran. They already know God's truth, so don't try to confuse them with facts. I think it's important to identify them as fundamentalists because fundamentalists share the arrogance of believing they know God's truth. This allows them to dehumanize us and treat us as though we're sins, not humans.

SCOTT SPITZNER via the Internet

Thank you for including Irshad Manji's "My Islam" in the May 23 issue. As a close friend of several moderate Muslims--gay and straight--I have been informed of the details of the inequality that still dominates the religion. I have witnessed the suffering of my dear friends for far too long, and, frankly, I am fed up! Great gains for equality have been made within the Christian religion, and I am confident that with the guidance of pioneers like Ms. Manji, we will find similar success within Islam. Gay-friendly religions can exist!

JULIA SUAZO San Jose, Calif.