Dear Editor:

I agree with Mr. Jones’ recent letter telling us that we should not follow the political endorsements of Nicole Murray Ramirez. Not only did Nicole endorse Kevin Faulconer for city council but he attended Tony Young’s Campaign kickoff for city council. Later he a spoke highly of Young in his column by saying, “…..Tony Young is from a new generation of African-American leadership… he is the future of not only the 4th District, but also San Diego. He…will be a friend to our GLBT community. … Tony Young is a role model for all San Diegans… He will make an outstanding council member.” Now that Nicole’s praises have helped both Faulconer and Young get elected to our city council and after both of them have now voted against marriage equality maybe it is time to question Nicole’s endorsement procedures. Does Nicole ever question candidates to see how they plan on voting on issues important to the LGBT citizens? The time to get commitments is before we endorse them, not to just wait until they are elected and see if they are going to support us. What rational basis, if any, does Nicole give to his endorsements?

I suggest that concerned voters look elsewhere for guidance in judging candidates. Nicole’s poor judgement and self serving endorsements are hurting our community and only slow our efforts for equality in San Diego and all of California.

Howard Greenberg

Dear Editor:

I agree with the recent letter from Tyrone Jones. Nicole Murray Ramirez not only endorsed Councilman Kevin Faulconer but he also endorsed the reelection of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after the Governor had vetoed a bill to legalize same sex marriage. Since then he has again vetoed a similar bill passed by both houses of the state legislature. In the last mayor’s race Nicole endorsed Jerry Sanders who at the time opposed marriage equality rather than Donna Frye who supported it.

It appears that Nicole lets personal ambition and friendships affect his endorsements. He continues to support and endorse City Attorney Mike Aguirre who did not receive the primary election endorsements of the San Diego Democratic Club or the Tom Homann, GLBT Law Association. Aguirre since has prosecuted an LGBT owned business for nothing more than sexual activity between consenting adults while ignoring similar straight owned businesses. Now Aguirre is now being accused of alleged financial irresponsibility causing a loss of over five million dollars of taxpayer’s money as reported in the Union Tribune on October 7, 2007.

I suggest that voters seeking nonpartisan unbiased evaluations of the candidates use the endorsements of the editors of the Gay and Lesbian Times or other responsible sources and not Nicole’s. Unfortunately Nicole’s unbiased advice and service to the LGBT community is a thing of the past.

Juan Gonzalez

To the Editor:

As the sponsor of the marriage equality measure at City Council, I had the honor of being the visible leader of this effort, but our success was truly the product of an immense team effort by hundreds of people who worked both publicly and behind the scenes. Although I know that by listing just a few members of that team I will end up leaving many out, I want to thank a few key people.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who is lead attorney on the marriage case currently pending before the California Supreme Court, traveled here to San Diego to discuss the case with the City Council. San Diego leaders like State Senator Christine Kehoe, Human Relations Commission Chair Nicole Murray Ramirez, Dr. Delores Jacobs CEO of the Center, Gloria Johnson and the folks of the Unitarian-Universalist Church, Andrea Villa and members of the San Diego Democratic Club, and James Vaughn and the Log Cabin Republicans all worked to persuade the Council and the Mayor to choose equality. City staff such as Deputy City Attorney Alex Sachs, City Clerk Elizabeth Maland, and the staff of Council President Peters’ office helped make sure that the process moved smoothly.

Literally hundreds of community members sat through two Council meetings, many telling their personal story in a moving and persuasive presentation. While it is difficult to single any one family out of this outstanding group, I want to particularly thank former Councilmember Harry Mathis and his daughter Laura for showing us all that love should transcend politics. Other community members played a critical role by writing and calling their Councilmembers and the Mayor, urging their support.

And, of course, my gratitude and appreciation go to Councilmembers Peters, Madaffer, Hueso, and Frye for voting to support marriage equality. And to Mayor Jerry Sanders, for letting compassion and a commitment to equality guide his actions.

Because of all these people, and so many more, we can be proud that our City has joined the other largest cities in the state in urging the state Supreme Court to rule that discrimination against same sex couples in our civil marriage laws is unconstitutional.

Thank you so much!

Toni Atkins

(Editor’s note: the following letter was sent to City Councilmember Tony Young, and the author copied the Gay & Lesbian Times on the email.)

Dear Mr. Young:

I am truly disappointed. I am one of your constituents and voted for you in the last election. YOU HAVE LOST MY VOTE.

I am very disappointed that you chose to side with groups that perpetuate blantant discrimination against other human beings by joining the protesters against gay marriage outside city hall today (Tuesday Oct 2, 2007)

I would hope you can reconsider and support the equal right of marriage between committed, loving same sex couples. Have you forgotten your history? Do you also disagree with permitting interracial marriages which were unlawful in many states just a few decades ago? The concept is the same.

Sandra Bennett