A front page photograph of two gay partners was one of two images that upset readers this week.
Wheres the news and why is this on the front page? asked one 50-year-old Toronto man of the Monday picture. It showed Crown Attorney Michael Leshner and his partner Michael Stark above a story about their desire to be legally married.
Its left-wing propaganda, one reader said.
Another 46-year-old mother of four boys who lives in the GTA said she, just didnt want to see these beaming smiles over my breakfast. I dont want my children being exposed to this either.
To me, that such a simple photo showing a happy couple clowning around with their pets, could cause such outrage is one reason it belongs on the front page. This office received numerous calls about the picture – much of the response unprintable. However, when we tried to contact a dozen of the callers, none wanted his or her name attached to their views in print.
Newspapers have an obligation to discuss important social trends and issues even though many readers may find them offensive. The issue of same-sex marriage is an important issue to many who are gay and straight. To play it down to not offend some readers would be wrong.
Senior editor Alan Marshall saw no need to defend the photograph. He chose it because it was the best one we had that day so we used it. This paper was founded on principles that advocate the fair treatment of all people. However, though the Star policy manual covers discrimination regarding race and religion and sexism, it does not specify sexual orientation. This is an oversight that must be addressed sooner rather than later.
In another case a reproduction last Saturday of artist Vicky Vyas work Krishna and the Gopies sparked comments it was culturally insensitive. The artwork showed Krishna surrounded by bare-breasted maidens in blue jeans. The artist admits her exhibit tries to express the Clash of Two Cultures when East meets West. Her parents were born in India and she grew up in Oshawa. She fully expected her work would shock some.
The painting is reminiscent of traditional Indian Kangra paintings, some of which depict Krishnas lover Rada as bare- breasted. The milkmaids were a special group of females who were passionate devotees of Krishna. But Ganesh Persaud of Toronto said The Star bears responsibility for reproducing the work, which he said many Hindus find offensive.
And Deepak Sharma, agreed. “Vicky Vyas may be an artist in her own right and she has the right of freedom of speech in an open society such as ours in Canada. But she must also keep in mind that she may be hurting the feelings . . . of thousands of ardent devotees of Krishna who flock to the Hindu temples of the GTA every week.”
Deputy entertainment editor Sean Stanleigh said there have been many debates over artworks depicting Christian and other religious figures in controversial ways. By fostering such debate the paper is doing its job, he said.
Lastly, Christina Arandjelovic wrote the Canadian Press Whats Up feature on volunteering that appeared in The Stars boom! section May 1.
The Star regrets any confusion about credit for the story and offers her a sincere apology.
