This is in reference to Elaine Graham’s letter Feb. 5 about how the media, including the Sun Journal, present homosexuals.

I do not feel the media are influencing children to choose homosexual preferences/lifestyles. Media are actually helping young people come to terms with their feelings and giving them the courage to speak out.

Parents need to be aware of their children’s feelings, to prevent suicides and feelings of unworthiness.

As a parent of a gay young man, I understand the difficulty in expressing one’s feelings for fear of being rejected. My son knew from a very early age that he had different sexual preference; however, he felt intimidated, and feared his family would not accept him. How sad that we were not aware, and that he did not know we would love him whether he was homosexual or heterosexual.

I would suggest that anyone with questions on homosexuality, especially in regards to genetics, attend a PFLAG/gay, lesbian and straight education group. The knowledge gained woud enlighten anyone having negative feelings about beautiful and precious loved ones.

I thank the media for showing “smiling gay images.” Our loved ones all deserve to live their lives freely, without fear of being tortured like Matthew Shephard was. I applaud “The Laramie Project.”

Let’s all be reminded of the high rate of divorces in the perfect, traditional families.

Let’s not discriminate against our homosexual loved ones.

Hail the media on this one.

Irene C. Lemelin, Lewiston