The "Cured" story [July 28, 2004] is nuanced, but the cover tag for it is just awful: "Drew Berryessa was GAY. He's OK now." Come on! Would you even think of tagging a story about religious conversion in the same way: e.g., "Cured: Edith Sitwell was Anglican. She's OK now."

The religious analogy leads me to a point overlooked in the story itself. In terms of civil rights, it should not matter a whit whether one's sexual preferences are inborn or chosen. Certainly, religious belief is a matter of choice, and we still are free in this country to switch religious beliefs--or even, heavens! not to have religious beliefs at all--without a loss of the Constitution's protection.

A. Bigelow
Southeast Exeter Drive

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE IRONY...

Thank you so much for your informational article on rediscovering one's heterosexuality ["Cured," July 28, 2004]. Though still a minority, the ex-gay movement is growing by leaps and bounds, and for good reason.

Homosexuality is a sin, and us really smart people are not going to stand for such a slipping of moral integrity in this nearly perfect nation.

As a recovering homosexual, I applaud Portland Fellowship for helping individuals find their straight, God-fearing selves they lost so long ago. Thank God for people like Jason Thompson, who doesn't unfairly discriminate between homosexuality, necrophilia and child molestation.

They are the same in God's eyes. I remember back in my days of homosinuality, I would get the same feeling of emptiness every time I had sex. It didn't matter if it was with a man, a pigeon, or a homeless youth I'd just killed, the feeling was always the same. Sin is sin, and it's comforting to know God forgives all of mine, not just the "Big Ten."

I was disappointed, however, to see the self-proclaimed "scientists" spout off gay-enabling propaganda in the midst of a potentially perfect article. How dare you, Dr. Connor-Smith, tell me my ex-gay urges were anything but a horrible, horrible choice? Just because my same-sex feelings developed before I understood what sexual feelings were doesn't mean they weren't anything but an unconscious choice on my part, stemming from a distant relationship with my father.

As for Stephen Simpson, it's always a shame to see a follower stray from the flock. Sure, you claim to be happier now that you're "out," but your obvious lack of guilt and repression shows just how far you've fallen.

So good work, Drew Berryessa. It's uplifting to see such a muscular, rugged young man reject the nearly insurmountable temptation of the gay lifestyle.

For the rest of the queer community, my deepest sympathy. I pray that you someday see the light and join the rest of the straight brotherhood. It's a super place to be.

Ben Nystrom
Salem