Portia and Ellen and Anne.

I haven't finished reading your Portia de Rossi interview yet ["Portia: Heart & Soul," September 13], but I had to come right to the computer and tell you what a profound emotion I have already felt. I cried and cried when I read of her grandmother's response to Portia's sexual orientation. I've been in my relationship for almost six years, and I still await those very words. I am happy for those who get open arms and willingness from their family to at least meet that special someone before judging the relationship. I was so happy for Ellen and Portia, I e-mailed Ellen's Web page and told her so and then e-mailed you. Thanks for doing the interview, and thanks to Portia for being so honest and candid.

LISA SIDLEY Keyser, W.Va.

When my copy of The Advocate arrived last night, I was surprised to learn that Portia de Rossi was speaking to the gay press and was interested to read what she had to say.

However, before I had the chance to hear from Portia, I was disappointed that writer Michele Kort deemed it necessary to take yet another unfair and unnecessary swipe at Anne Heche when she wrote that "fans of DeGeneres don't have to worry that this actress-girlfriend will pull an Anne Heche and rediscover her heterosexuality."

Ellen is a hero to many of us, myself included. I was sad to hear that Ellen and Anne had split years ago but have become increasingly dismayed to see how Ellen has been allowed to retain her heroic status while the once-loved Heche has become our favorite pariah. We like to call ourselves the "GLBT" community, but I often wonder why the "B" is even there; bisexuals are marginalized and maligned so often by haughty gays and lesbians, and every insult disproves the notion we'd like to present to the straight world of a diverse yet inclusive community.

I realize that Heche has rarely if ever referred to herself as bisexual, probably because of the stigma and baggage connected to the word. However, she has also never denied that she was very much in love with Ellen DeGeneres for a number of years. She has never cheapened that relationship the way so many of us feel we have the right to.

Perhaps Michele Kort and others should ask themselves where this hatred and deliberate misunderstanding of bisexuals comes from. Perhaps the editors of The Advocate should ask themselves why openly bi people are hardly ever featured in your magazine while insulting remarks such as Kort's are green-lighted for publication. Finally, I'd like all readers who took delight in Kort's hateful words to ask themselves why being left for a member of the opposite sex is so much worse than being left for anyone else.

ERIC PETERSON Washington, D.C.

Once again, I feel personally blasted as a bisexual. The interview with Portia was lovely. I was so excited to see her on the cover of your magazine. The interviewer's thoughtless commentary that readers won't have to worry that she will "pull an Anne Heche and rediscover her heterosexuality" was an insult to bisexual readers and an erroneous statement about Anne. Anne does not consider herself heterosexual. She personally addressed me on her Web site, AnneHeche.com (in the message board). I had asked her about her mom's speaking at "ex-gay" conventions. This was her reply: "And for anyone who ever thought that Ellen and I broke it off because of sexuality, you couldn't be more mistaken. And for anyone who thought my mother's prayers had anything to do with me marrying a man, forget it. I can safely say that my mother has nothing to do with any decision I make. It has always disturbed me the way religion can twist something to make people feel badly about themselves. Isn't a loving heart an accepting, caring heart? Certainly my mother has never been 'loving.' But that's just my humble opinion."

Please be more sensitive to those of us who can be attracted to both men and women, instead of making it appear a farce. The community seems to have a hatred of Anne Heche for leaving Ellen and marrying a man. Yet we easily forgive Portia leaving her partner for Ellen, because she's another girl?

CARRIE NEWMAN Ottumwa, Iowa 

Thank you for the Portia interview. She's a fascinating woman. I do have to take issue with one part of the interview, however. While I agree that being bisexual can be fun, it can also be isolating, especially when it is described merely as suggesting "you're a fun party girl--who makes out with your best friend on the dance floor."

While I would agree that some girls may flirt with this label in that fashion, there is much more to our sexual identity than party games. Between this and the recent study stating we don't exist, perhaps it's time The Advocate revisit the subject of bisexuality. Your readership may find the facts behind the stereotype illuminating.

WENDY CURRY Weare, N.H.