Dear Editor:

I am responding to recent letter from Ms. Yeargain. As noted in your editor’s note, Councilmember Frye voted in favor of San Diego joining the Amicus Brief on September 18, in fact she seconded it. Donna Frye does and has always supported same sex marriage. Her original vote was not because she opposed equal marriage. Her vote, as she again stated, was because of her concern about the procedure. She thought that to public did not have enough time to respond and take part in the hearings. She asked for a continence at time but that voted failed .However, it was redocketed and passed with Donna speaking out in favor. I hope that our LGBT community realizes that Councilmember Frye is a steadfast supporter of LGBT Civil Rights and we can count on her.

Gloria Johnson

Dear Editor:

Oh, please. Now San Diego’s mostly provincial elected officials have their very own version of the Dick-and-Mary Cheney Show in the guise of Mayor Sanders.

Why the hell do most members of our gay and lesbian community vote with anything but their heads when it comes to gay “marriage”?

Just because Sanders has given a quick smooch to our collective asses, are we really going to let him off the hook about the Sunroad debacle and other ethical lapses (the way so many have given Toni Atkins a free pass simply because she’s a lesbian)?

G&L Times letter-writer Katherine M. Yeargain wrote correctly that “marriage” isn’t for us, but not just because she’s attempting to dissolve an expensive domestic partnership.

Whenever the topic of hetero vs. homo comes up in the realm of discussing marriage equality for all, I have frequently written and said that the national gay community needs to create an incredible marketing plan to make our rights more palatable to all Americans.

Using a word (marriage), which has a nearly 50 percent failure rate in the real world is not a good strategy for the community.

Lee A. Schoenbart

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter regarding the recent “e-blast” titled “Thank You Mayor Jerry sanders” The message within the letter bothered me somewhat. Perhaps more so the representation of how the author of the letter thanked the mayor for not vetoing the proposal. The author’s statements ranged from “We were prepared to shred his character” to “thank you so much”.

I know the paper is constantly bombarded with various critiques from your readers the gay and lesbian community. I’m sure its exhausting to hear some of these comments.

However, the moment the letters and critiques back to the editor cease is the day the paper is no longer relevant. I love what you guys do...its such important work. There is a great responsibility you have inherited as the voice for the community. I respect what you do and thank you for it.

But you know....what about a little less groveling and drama in the thank you and more of: “Its about time you did the obvious human thing, thank you” We should have more pride, dignity and possibly stoicism. Shake his hand...thank him..and move to the next step.

With these comments I am making, I am not not disrespecting those who fought for this ordinance, including the GLT. I know that we had to somewhat swoon and plead to get this done. If that’s what it takes to turn this over, so be it. I thank those that pushed and worked hard.

But the “Thank You Mayor Jerry Sanders” letter reminded me of this:

A black man or woman graciously and emphatically thanking the authorities for finally allowing them to drink out of a public water fountain.

Thanks for reading this, thank you for your paper.

Steven Hall

Dear Editor:

Thank you Councilwoman Toni Atkins for your leadership.

All fair minded San Diegans owe a debt of gratitude to Mayor Sanders, City Council President Scott Peters and City Councilmembers Atkins, Jim Madaffer, Ben Hueso and Donna Frye for their recent vote in support of equal rights. We were all proud to hear a long list of fair minded citizens speak to the council in support of the friend-of-the-court appeal to the ban on same sex marriages. Speakers from the LGBT community included Stephen Whitburn, Jess Durfee, and Todd Gloria. Noticeably missing was Nicole Murray-Ramirez who was widely criticized for praising and endorsing Kevin Faulconer over the Democratic candidate when he ran for City Council. Faulconer joined Councilmen Tony Young and Brian Maienschein in voting against this civil rights issue. Isn’t it amazing how some members of minorities can turn their back on other minorities when they reach out? Now we know how to vote in their next election and how much weight to give to Nicole’s endorsements.

Tyrone Jones