On page 14 of the September 8 edition of the Village Voice, there is a huge photo of a man wearing a T-shirt with the inscription “JESUS IS A C_ _ _” (obscene term for female genitalia). There is no accompanying story: only two sentences commenting on “street people” appear on the page (there are four other smaller photos).
Catholic League president William Donohue offered his thoughts on this matter:
“I called Lynn Yeager, the person who wrote the two sentences, and photo editor Meg Handler. On their voice mail, I left just one question: if instead of Jesus, Martin Luther King’s name had been printed on the T-shirt, would they have run it? They have yet to get back to me. Presuming they were honest, is there anyone who doubts what they would say?
“The gratuitous nature of this ‘article’ (is it a news story?) speaks volumes about the Village Voice. It also explains why they have to give their paper away free: who would buy it?
“Some might say that I would be judgmental if I used the word ‘evil’ to describe this. They are right, and that’s exactly how I feel. Perhaps someone at the Voice can explain to me why they don’t share my sentiment.”
