Dear Editor:

It’s been over a month since gay marriages became legal in California and hundreds of couples in San Diego have tied the knot. Even news channels have televised information about gay marriages. So why has the GLT yet to offer a regular section for gay married couples to announce their marriages? There have been numerous pages of business advertisements in the GLT soliciting gay dollars for marriage celebrations, yet no section to commemorate or validate gay marriages in a positive and supportive way. Nor is there a regular section commemorating or recognizing long term gay relationships. The GLT seems to focus significant publication attention to the bar and party scene, which can be fun but is not all-encompassing. Representation on a regular basis (not just an occasional cover story) of transitions within the cross section of the community would provide more balance. As an aside, memorial announcements might also be considered “transition”. Obituaries or memorials, if found in the GLT, seem to be frequently relegated to the classified section. Let’s be more progressive GLT! Why wasn’t the GLT prepared to announce gay marriages the FIRST WEEK they were performed? It’s been over a month, what are you waiting for?

Steve Gardepie

(Editor’s note: The Gay & Lesbian Times has run an ad soliciting marriage announcements in its classifieds section for a month. We have received one response.)

Dear Editor:

Over this last weekend, I decided to dress in drag to see how drag queens are treated by our own community. I am not one to do drag nor do I have a desire to do so again. It was an interesting experience. The thing that stood out to me was how badly treated our own LGBT community tends to treat a person in drag. I was very disappointed. I was called tranny had things thrown at me and laughed at in my face by gay men. No one recognized me yet when they did they were embarrassed. I am writing this to point out that recently we received the right to get married. I guess I wanted to point out to the community that none of this would have happened with out the Drag queens and other members of our community (which doesn’t receive much credit) revolting and starting Stonewall. It was an experience and I can now say that I have a lot of respect for transgender and drag queens. I realized it must be hard for them because they are rejected by the straight community and made fun of by some of the gay community.

I personally feel we should embrace all in our community and remember that like on the Center’s building “Alone we can do so little but together we can achieve so much.” Happy Pride everyone and hope you have a great and safe time.

Raymond Portillos Leon