I am writing in response to the recent actions taken by the gay community against rap artist Eminem at this year's Grammy Music Awards. Before I begin, I would first like to make it absolutely clear that I am neither a gay basher nor an Eminem fan.

I have nothing against one's sexual orientation and do not own or listen to any of the music produced by Eminem.

With that in mind, I would simply like to state that I find this past week's protests highly hypocritical of the gay community. Though Eminem's lyrics are highly profane and explicit, we must remember that he is an artist and is granted freedom of expression under the First Amendment of our Constitution.

Denying Eminem the rights of this amendment would be denying the exact same rights that allows homosexuals to push for their cause (much to the dissent of the majority of the people in this country) in the first place. To use Eminem's profanity or tastelessness as an excuse to stop him is absolutely absurd. If Catholics in this country were not allowed to stop a piece of art depicting the Virgin Mary with dung on her, why should homosexuals have the special privilege of stopping musical art that insults them?

It seems to me that the gay community wants everyone to hear what it has to say but wants no one to protest in return. Sadly, by telling people such as Eminem that they are not allowed to express views that run contrary to what homosexuals desire, the gay community has become just as bad as the very people whom they protest against.

On that note, I would just like to congratulate the people behind the Grammy's for having enough dignity and courage to include Eminem and his unique talents in the awards instead of being swayed by a minority faction who seems to want to have its cake and eat it too.