Tony Lacenere, Managing Director of iNetworks, took the time to write in to the Post-Gazette and share his thoughts about the the value of inclusivity and diversity.  Its especially heartening on a day like today -- filled with political predictions and electoral scents -- to remember some of the core issues we are voting about after all. 

Additionally, like major growth regions such as the Silicon Valley and Boston, Pittsburgh and the commonwealth should accept the new reality that embracing those with diverse backgrounds is not only the right thing to do, but also stimulates economic growth and development.

National gratitude should be extended to New Jersey and its leaders for recognizing that gay and lesbian citizens, as well as all people, deserve to be embraced and given normal rights ("N.J. Allows Gay Marriage or Civil Unions," Oct. 26).

Pittsburgh could be a big winner if we continue to tackle the tough challenges diversity throws our way.  Is gay marriage on the Pennsylvania agenda?  Not anytime soon.  Remember this is the land where our Democratic State Senators voted *for* a watered down marriage discrimination amendment so they could vote *against* a tougher version of it.  Simply voting against discrimination period wasn't an option.  Except for those in the Pennsylvania House (like Dan Frankel and Mike Divin) who did.  But I'm supposed to shut up and be thankful we narrowly avoided a gay marriage amendment, not criticize our shadow allies.

And here I go again ...Mr. Lacerne uses the phrase "embracing people of color and ethnicity and those with alternative lifestyles."  The latter typically describes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities.   It is our identity, Tony, not our lifestyle that is in question.  My lifestyle pretty much mirrors the heterosexual normative lifestyle -- two working adults, two cars, home, yard, laundry, nightly news with Katie Couric, trips to Giant Eagle, most often in bed by 11 PM ...it ain't that alternative. The only alternative to being gay is living a lie. 

I know you mean well, Tony.  But your letter sounds somewhat pompous and condescending.  People of ethnicity?  Like white people?  We have ethnicities.  It is not an exotic provence of people of color to have ethnicity. 

I have to wonder, Tony, if its not so much about the right thing to do and more about the economic prosperity.  Which is fine, because it gets you on the right side of the issue.  But don't slap me with the alternative lifestyle label and expect me to sit quietly on the sidelines at the company diversity picnic with a stupid thankful grin on my face. 

Thanks for writing, Tony.  More people like you should seize that opportunity and get all these ideas out on the table.  Kudos.