Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
I want to thank you on the column that you wrote in reference to the young man who “admitted” he was gay.  I did notice what the article had stated.  I was upset as it sounded like it was a bad thing to be gay.

 The writer of that article sounds like they have issues with gays.  I have a 20-year-old daughter who is gay.  I have watched my daughter grow up being harassed at school and on the streets because of the way she looks.  I have heard the comments.  I feel for the young man who was arrested.  People have no clue as to the abuse these young and old gays, lesbians and transgender have to go through.  It’s ugly!  I could go on and on about the abuse a gay person has to deal with.  The beatings, the rapes, the murders - just because they are gay.  

You don’t think that when my daughter leaves the house on a Friday night that I am not scared of something happening to her just because she is gay.  I love her no matter what.  It’s because of my love and understanding that my daughter grew to be a smart, beautiful and an all together woman no matter what her sexual preference is.  I would not trade her for a straight daughter for nothing.  Again, thank you.