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In "Gay men and Scouting" (Forum, Feb. 27), Fred Burton asks how many would write a letter passionately championing not only gay boys in Scouting, but adult gay men as Scout leaders.

I am happy to write a passionate letter advocating including gay men in Scouting. I am also happy to expose an outdated, disproven, archaic view of homosexuals: Being a gay man is not the same thing as being a pedophile. A gay man is no more likely to be attracted to boys than a heterosexual man is to girls.

I am sorry for the fear Burton experienced as a Scout. I am equally sorry for the misinformation and fear he is spreading by remaining ignorant of the facts.

It is past time that we as a society move beyond stereotypes and distortions so that we may see the people we are marginalizing.

Stephanie S. Tino

Riverton