Singular Courage

It's not every day that we come upon a person willing to venture forth, to stand up and be counted. To be courageous.

Steve Miller, an East Hampton native son, is such a man.

As reported in these pages last month, Mr. Miller, who has AIDS, has made his life an open book, but not for commercial reasons or for fame. He puts his story "out there" for his community's kids - to help them think about the causes of dangerous behavior, to face its effects, and, in his own words, "to give something back."

For a week in February at East Hampton High School, and for another full day this week at the middle school, Mr. Miller addressed students' curiosity and fear and answered probing questions. The administrators of the district's schools have done something right in letting this happen.

When Mr. Miller is in front of a class, nothing is taboo. Because he is candid, the students respond in kind, suspending embarrassment. Because he is genuine, they believe him , obvious by the looks on their faces and their attention to what he says.

Because he is willing to talk about young love and attraction, condoms and sexually transmitted infection, and heterosexuality and homosexuality, he may well be saving lives.

Nothing could be more important.