Jumping to conclusions

Recently, there has been controversy over the latest Ramable Online poll question.
It asked if there was a double standard in homosexuality.
Choices were given to those who accept gay men, lesbians or neither.    
It was brought to the staff’s attention that there needed to be an option that included people who accept lesbians and gay men.
The fourth choice was then added.
It was later requested that the question be removed from the website because it was considered “offensive.”
The intent behind the question was to look at homosexuality from a societal  standpoint.
There are people in the world who either accept lesbians over gay men, gay men over lesbians, accept both or accept neither one.
This is reality, not something a college newspaper would make up.
In my observation, I have seen heterosexual men accept lesbians more than gay men, and heterosexual women accept gay men more than lesbians.
Those who read the poll question should not analyze it and try to make it out to be something that is offensive.
Instead of jumping to conclusions and presuming something is offensive, one should ask questions and get a clear understanding.
Would it be different if the poll question asked if there were a double standard between men and women?
Because homosexuality is a touchy subject for some, every time it is brought up, they want to accuse someone of discrimination.
For the poll question to be considered offensive is a bit irrational.
This is an institution of higher learning; therefore, the discussion of certain topics should not come as a surprise.
Psychology and sociology classes have discussions about homosexuality and double standards as a way of learning about different points of view.
The Ramble Online question covers various topics such as current events, campus life, sports and health.
When choosing poll questions, the staff tries to come up with provocative topics that would stir up conversation amongst students, faculty and staff.
 If there is an option in the poll question that anyone does not agree with, they can express their thoughts in a letter.
Most importantly, if there is an option in the poll questions that they agree with, they should vote.
Everyone will not agree with  all of the content published by The News Argus but readers should be responsible enough to recognize if something is offensive or not.
The News Argus encourages readers to write letters to the editor.