reader forum.

The Ellen show

I've just finished reading Judy Wieder's interview with Ellen DeGeneres ["Ellen Again," September 25] and am completely blown away! Ellen's honesty and true-blue down-to-earthness were riveting. From her dealings with ABC to her life in the media circus during her relationship and breakup with Anne Heche, I found her nothing less than smart, funny, humble, and, yes, "historic." When she mentioned The Power of Now--practically my new bible--I think I fell in love. She's inspirational! I watched her first show with admiration and delight, never once doubting her chosen path when she came out to America. I will be there for this new one with bells on!

Ted Johnson, Brooklyn, N.Y.

In spite of the tragic events of September 11, it was wonderful to go to my mailbox and find on your cover the most stunning picture of Ellen DeGeneres I have ever seen. She represents us as a community beautifully and does it with enormous grace.

Tom Clark, Santa Ana, Calif.

Ellen is a true role model for us all. I was very impressed by her humanness, depth, and honesty. I'm one of those recent broken hearts she refers to, and as I go through this process that she so well describes, it helps to hear from someone who has gone through the same thing that it is possible to heal and to use this experience in a positive way. Even though I'm single now, I vow to stay home Friday nights and watch her new show, which I know will be great.

Brenda Hopkins, San Juan, P.R.

Many of us have been waiting a year to have some idea of how Ellen is in the aftermath of her relationship with Anne. Your article was both moving and touching. I am thankful to her for sharing with us as much as she did. Ellen's public behavior since the breakup and especially amid the publicity over Anne's book has made me as proud of her as a role model for us as I was when she came out. Her honest words about love, broken hearts, and recovery are a testament to lesbian relationships. Anyone who reads it will understand that she and Anne loved each other. She is taking the next logical step with her career.

Kelly Devanny, Cheshire, Conn.

I am fed up with the lack of (positive) exposure given to bisexuals in your magazine. In particular, your interview with Ellen DeGeneres: The interviewer asked her if she is through with dating straight women. Because Anne Heche dated only men before she was with Ellen and is with a man now does not make her a straight woman who flirted with being gay and has now had enough of it. Has Anne said she is a straight woman? Not that I've seen. In a recent interview with Barbara Walters, Heche said, "You fall in love with a person, not a sex." That sounds like bisexuality (or omni- or multi- or pan- or whatever word you prefer) to me. As someone who also falls in love with people, not sexes, I am offended by the question.

Lisa Earles, Ames, Iowa 

How interesting that your insightful interview with the queen of comedy (queer comedy, for that matter!) appeared in my mailbox two days after the horrific Barbara Walters interview with Anne. I've got something to say: Ellen, I'm single. And I'm sane. Call me.

Laura Hercules, St. Louis, Mo.

Test of faith

I read with interest your article on religious schools ["Pass or Fail," September 25]. As a former Mormon who was excommunicated for being a lesbian, I understand the pain and pressure these young people experienced. I tried for many years to reconcile my beliefs and the way the church treated me, and I ultimately came to realize that they would never change. I find it difficult to believe that any gay or lesbian person attending BYU is unaware that a double standard exists there. I finally decided to fight the battles that could be won and am now pursuing a master's degree in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield and am a volunteer lobbyist for the Human Rights Campaign. I can't change what a church school can do, but there are many things we can all do to change things for the better.

Jane Carbiener, Springfield, Ill.

As a gay Christian who attended a small Christian college (long before I was aware of my sexuality), I understand the struggles these students are facing. It hits even closer to home after having been fired last year from a Christian college where I was teaching. It was a very challenging and difficult time, and it's something I wouldn't want to live through again. However, what I did take away from the experience was the realization that I had greatly altered many people's perspectives of homosexuals. Certainly many of the students were glad to see me leave, but many others were upset by the news and rallied to my side as they saw for the first time through my life and actions that the stereotypes they had been raised to believe simply aren't true. So to those students struggling with whether or not to come out at your Christian institution, the choice is yours. If you decide to, you may not alter the mind-set of your administration, but you may radically change the views of your peers and faculty.

Nathan Sims, Aleppo, Pa.

As a proud alumnus of Loyola University Chicago, I feel the need to bring to the forefront a Jesuit-Catholic institution that respects the dignity of all human life and values every member of its diverse student body. Many GLBT students at Loyola are out and never fear the threat of expulsion. Furthermore, the GLBT student organization was one of the largest and most active on campus at the time I was an undergraduate and collaborated frequently with the campus ministry. Finally, members of Loyola's faculty are also actively involved in research addressing GLBT issues in multiple disciplines and lines of research. It is essential to acknowledge all of the progress that GLBT persons have made at religiously affiliated institutions as well as the obstacles we still face.

Adam W. Carrico, Miami Beach, Fla.

I just wanted to let you know that not all religious colleges are callous toward the GLBT community. I graduated from Capital University, a small private Lutheran university in Columbus, Ohio, in 2000. When I came out there, I felt totally safe. Sure, there were the usual remarks, but people usually said something before I got a chance. I was even able to proudly hang my rainbow flag in my dorm room window, and no one ever did or said anything about it.

Terry J. Brown, Denton, Tex.

Greek revival

John Ashworth's column "At Home in Sigma Nu" [My Perspective, September 25] serves to remind me of the extraordinary changes that have taken place in our society since my own student days at Dartmouth College over 40 years ago. It would seem inconceivable to me that anyone could have been anywhere but deep in the closet at Dartmouth in those days. Even today, Ashworth's willingness to take risks helps all of us move forward in a sometimes uncertain world. I admire his courage.

John Batjiaka, Westminster, Calif.

Congratulations, my Sigma Nu brother and the Dartmouth chapter of the Knights of the Legion of Honor. My Sigma Nu shirt is older than Brother Ashworth (pledged spring 1976). I had no intention of joining when I did the "free beer" rush tours of the frat houses, but the class and sincerity of the guys in the chapter at my school were mightily impressive. It proved to be one of the most positive decisions of my life.

I do wish I'd had the courage to come out to my brothers after doing so to my girlfriend in fall 1978. Looking back, I believe there would have been acceptance, if not understanding. (Mine was the only room with a Cabaret poster.) Before dropping out of school, though, I was rush chairman. And let me tell you, that was the best-looking pledge class in years.

Gare Galbraith, Charlottesville, Va.

Questionable parentage 

Your article "Reviving Rudi" [September 25] makes the statement "The two men [Harry Hay and Rudi Gernreich] became lovers and then political allies; they founded the Mattachine Society, which has been credited with starting the American gay rights movement." Historically, that's inaccurate. In the years before and after Stonewall, I was a reporter in San Francisco and regularly covered the gay scene. When Gay Libbers began their struggle there (many months before Stonewall), the Mattachine Society was strongly opposed to it. They thought it "wasn't the right time."

Leo E. Laurence, San Diego, Calif.