Do what you want, but do it in private
In response to Mark Williams’ letter (“Step forward for schools”) in the May 26 issue, why would any school board approve sexually oriented clubs to operate in the county’s schools? Why would such a club even be necessary?
I don’t care about anyone’s sexual orientation. I’m heterosexual but have never seen the need for a club to broadcast that fact.
My husband and I attended a recent talent show at a local high school and seated in front of us were two very attractive young female students who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. It was embarrassing.
I have never judged or rejected anyone because of their sexual orientation and I never will. When I stand before God on my judgment day, I do not want to try and explain to Him why I rejected any of his children, whether their lifestyle fits mine or not.
Quite frankly, I don’t care who does what to whom but just don’t do it in front of me. I have no desire to watch gays, heterosexuals or any other sexual behavior performed in my presence. A sexually oriented club has nothing to do with gay rights. It’s merely a statement of “I’m gay, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah and you can’t do anything about it!” Who cares? Sex is not a spectator sport, people. Keep it to yourself.

— Gail Gurley
Granite Quarry
I am not a Barbie
The worst thing in the world for a girl is to be called fat. It is even worse when a family member says it to you.
This happened to me. A family member made a remark about my “heavy” weight at such a young age and it stuck with me.
Ever since that remark, all I wanted was to be skinny. I would hit my stomach and skip breakfast in hopes it would make me skinnier. Sadly to say, I liked it — I felt skinnier. I was so unhappy, though. I faked a smile every day. The sad thing is that people did not notice because no one tried to help me. The only person that knew something was wrong was my mom—if only I would have listened to her constant questions of “Are you eating?” and advice to “watch myself.” Maybe, I would have realized sooner that I was taking my insecurities about my weight overboard.
A couple years later it finally clicked. I realized that yes, I am flawed, but I am flawed in the most beautiful ways. I am uniquely myself and I should not try to conform to the mentality that “to be skinny, is to be perfect.” That is society talking and I was tired of being a part of society.
I had to change my perspective on who I was and now I want to help other girls change their self body image perceptions as well. I still struggle with my insecurities but I am constantly trying to overcome them and that is the key to being truly happy. My hope for you is that you always know that you are not alone.
My challenge to you is that you constantly strive to be a girl who is comfortable in her own skin.
— Onnah Houghton
Salisbury