Letters

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In "Beware The Straight Backlash," Andrew Sullivan described himself as gay and politically conservative and decried the Bush Administration's hostility toward gay marriage [VIEWPOINT, Aug. 11]. Sullivan ought to know there are many Americans who accept gay marriage and who welcome gay associates, ideas and modes of behavior into their homes, lives and politics. These people are called liberals. Sullivan's problem is not that he's gay; it's that he has been hanging out with the wrong political crowd. He ought to quit spurning the hand of welcome and start working toward a liberal majority. It will be better for the country, better for the environment, better for the economy and better for him.
JANE SMILEY
Carmel Valley, Calif.

Since half of all heterosexual marriages end in divorce, I certainly don't think gay folks can do any worse.
FRED BENZ
Milwaukee, Wis.

Sullivan wrote that the TV reality show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy provides "a wonderful example of straight men and gay men communicating, laughing and getting along." I don't think the show is a step forward at all. In fact, it just reinforces existing gay stereotypes — the notion that gay men can be nothing more than fashion designers, hair stylists and interior decorators. I assure you, there are many straight people who can give a guy a complete makeover. This show widens the rift between "us" and "them." The program is just another attempt at exploiting a subculture for commercial purposes.
JOHN DULEMBA
Washington

What's in a Name?

TIME reported that in upcoming international trade talks, dozens of generic food names, such as feta cheese, basmati rice and Budweiser beer, may be restricted to their regions of origin [NOTEBOOK, Aug. 11]. Say it isn't so! What about French fries, Spanish omelets, Bermuda onions, Danish pastry and Belgian waffles? Will hamburgers come only from Hamburg? And frankfurters from Frankfurt? And what will become of Mom's apple pie?
ESOR BEN-SOREK
Rishon Le-Ziyyon, Israel