At the end of last month, we published our monthly glossy bound issue called “Queens . . . and other alternative lifestyles*” reporting on the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community in our borough. I explained in my column in that issue some of the many concerns I had when I first conceived of the project.

I was mostly concerned that our effort in covering this segment of our population that has long been neglected by the Queens news media and often the subject of prejudice, would not offend either our regular readers or members of the LGBT community.

We believed that our effort produced a fair and accurate picture of gay life in Queens and the reaction we received by phone and mail was very supportive and complementary.

However, doing this job for a quarter of a century, we have learned that people who hate often express their views in hurtful and hateful fashion. Many times when we’ve taken stances perceived as progressive or covered topics considered controversial, we’ve received angry reaction. Sometimes we’ve received hate mail.

We welcome a divergence of opinion. Not everyone should agree with us, our coverage or selection of news topics.
It is natural that many may see Queens and life through a different set of eyes. We print their letters and welcome their participation in the great American debate.

However, some issues cause greater and uglier reaction than others. We anticipated the worst when we decided to present the picture of gay Queens.

Man, were we wrong!

Perhaps there are homophobes in this borough. However, we have seen no sign of it in the reaction to our issue.
Perhaps there are those that condemn a society where homosexuality and alternative life cultures are accepted.
However, they have not yet come forward.

Perhaps there are those that just hate anything and everything about gays and their behavior, but we have not heard from them.

We know they are out there. At least, we’re pretty sure. But for some reason unknown to us, not a single letter, email or phone call has expressed anything but positive reaction to our “Gay Glossy.”

There has not even been one of those ugly anonymous letters scribbled with filth calling us names we receive with some regularity when we deviate from the lock step of some small-minded person’s picture of life.

There was just no negative reaction.

There was considerable positive reaction.

For whatever reason, for the first time, we didn’t hear from the other side.

Perhaps the negative reactors have discovered that a majority of the good and accepting people of our borough just don’t want to hear their divisive and judgmental thoughts.

Perhaps the varied cultural base of our borough has truly taught us all to be tolerant and accepting of others.
Perhaps we all are finally learning to live and let live.