Dear Editor:

Hello my name is Leslie Forcen. I am the president of the organization “Palm Springs Biker Chicks”. I am completely taken aback by the article that was written about my sisters in San Diego. How soon we forget the discrimination that we, as gay women, have endured. Your cold hearted letter that was written by an unknown, shook me to my core. I have been active in the gay community for my entire life. In 1980, I rode in the Dykes on Bikes Hollywood parade. Where women - gay women were applauded and treated with respect. I am shocked at your attitude. I think you should know, I support unity. For the first time this year, the Palm Springs Bikers will start our parade. Which was achieved by not only myself, but several men in our community. We are starting the parade together, as I requested and as it should be. I think you should take a second and realize what a rift within the community you are causing by your comments..

Lets face the facts, you made a very prejudice comment about all women and “Dykes on Bikes” in general. Lets say for arguments sake, one or two or even a dozen women were upset. How dare you classify the entire organization with your separatist comments... I think the community should seriously evaluate your position. If it were my town, I would be addressing this in a more demanding manner, I assure you of that.

In closing, I will say this to you. In America, we have many rights denied and trampled on. Many instances where our own people have endured the prejudices and even death that accompanies being gay/lesbian and trans-gender in our country. Isn’t that why we created our parades and marches? You insult every gay American with your comments. And I quote: “The fact they’re allowed to celebrate their sexuality in our city’s largest civic event each year is something to be proud of; instead the members of Dykes on Bikes should be ashamed of their behavior..” Shame on you unknown author, shame on you.. I think that one sentence alone summarizes your feelings.

Leslie V. Forcen

Dear Editor:

I agree that the Dykes on Bikes have a practical issue with their bikes overheating, but there is no reason the Pride parade should be forced to maintain the same order year after year. Other groups can no doubt come up with reasons why they should be in one position or another. We have a Pride Board and Executive Director to make thousands of decisions, and they do a good job year after year.

Congratulations to Dykes on Bikes for many years of participation, but now it is time for them to show their pride in the entire community, not just themselves. I trust the Pride Board and the Executive Director, and it is time for the Dykes on Bikes to take one for the team. The look, feel, and texture of Pride parades and celebrations has been changing…evolving over the years just as our community changes and evolves. This is just one more aspect of that, and it is for the good of the entire gay community.

If the Dykes on Bikes work with Pride constructively, I believe they will find a way to participate that does not require them to lead the parade. Or, they can withdraw, as most of them did this year. I for one can live with either decision.

Ken Bell

Dear Editor:

I wanted to comment on the “controversy” surrounding the repositioning of the Dykes on Bikes at this year’s parade.

Specifically, many of the complaints have centered around the “fact” that the Dykes on Bikes are the traditional lead off of every Pride parade in every city, and that San Diego should honor this tradition. Having just moved back to San Diego from Chicago, having attended the past two Pride parades in Chicago, I can guarantee you that this “fact” is, simply, not true. A simple search of the internet shows that the Dykes on Bikes appeared at position 28A in this year’s Chicago Pride parade, behind the traditional Chicago starter, the Lead Banner, the Mayor’s Advisory Council, the Commission on Human Relations, Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame, the Grand Marshall, and a host of other floats, cars and marchers. There were no problems with their motorcycles overheating. There were no complaints about devaluing the presence of lesbians in the community. They didn’t have to stop their motorcycles every few blocks to open a gap in front of them. And the Chicago parade route is somewhat longer than San Diego’s, at approximately 2.5 miles long vs our 1 mile long parade. People need to realize that the parade is supposed to be a celebration of our pride in who we are, not a popularity contest. It is supposed to reflect the unity of our community, not highlight divisions. Yes, the Dykes on Bikes are fun and exciting. Yes, they are a highlight of the parade that everyone looks forward to, myself included. But they are not the complete embodiment of Pride, and are no more deserving of the lead spot in the parade than any other organization.

Paul Silver

Dear Editor:

The Dykes on Bikes were a disgrace to what should have been a proud, uniifed display of the gay community in San Diego.So they didn’t lead the parade this year....boo hoo. As a result, they spewed temper tantrums, starting right at the beginning of the parade...holding it up for 20 minutes to “cool” their bikes ( didn’t cool their tempers tho). Dykes, get over it!

The expressed indignation...”it’s tradition.” Well, it’s “tradition” that the parade be held the last Sat. of July, it’s “tradition” that gay males have their bars and dykes have theirs, and it’s “tradition” that says a marriage is between a male and a female...etc,etc. But the parade was moved to the third weekend of July this year... and the gay community survived.The bars are now a great mix of gay males and dykes...and the community survived. And most of all, same-sex marriage is now legal... and both the straight and gay communities have survived.

I welcome a change in leading the parade each year because “tradition” does not rule my life. Suggestion: place the Dykes on Bikes last in the parade next year and let them have all the time they want to show their temper tantrums; that would save me from having to watch them, as I rarely stay to the bitter end.

Frederick Reed

Dear Editor:

I disagree with the decision to move the Dykes on Bikes. My friends felt the same, and we are not shallow people. We appreciate the message of remembering those who are not with us and we agree it is important. But ask yourself this. Why doesn’t Shelby die in the beginning of Steel Magnolias and let the rest play out in flashbacks? Because we need to be drawn in as viewers, to laugh and cheer and enjoy and commit to the movie and the characters.

That is how I feel about the parade. The Dykes on Bikes grab my attention and get me cheering and shouting. Later, when I am hooked, I stand and cry with happiness as PFLAG and the Veterans march by. I am along for the ride, the ups and the downs.In my opinion, Pride screwed up by starting with such a somber message.

John Hulsey

Dear Editor:

Ok, I get it about the somber message about other countries and the lack of rights for gays.

But for crying out loud, the crowd is pumped ready and waiting for the burst of pride and exhilaration of the motorcycles that we waited a year for. Leave tradition alone!

The Dykes on Bikes are a hugely popular group, and virtually everyone around me was baffled as to what was going on. Not a good move on the part of the parade organizers.

Chuck Aldrich

Dear Editor:

Well if the DOB should not lead the parade, then lets have a Menorah or Quanza symbol at the end of the Macy’s parade or Big Bird instead of Mother goose. Can we take care of the US for once..yes we are aware of what goes on in other countries. We are lucky in some ways that we do live in America. You say that it is ok to stray from tradition, that is a matter of opinion. People are upset about it by the results of your poll. Tradition is important and awareness is around all the time but tradition happens only once a year. Can’t we have some kind of “Tradition”

Joanne Clark

Dear Editor:

Please return the SD Dykes on Bikes to the head of the Pride Parade. They are the epitome of those who fight oppression and speak out in a load, clear voice for personal freedoms and equal rights for all – no one does it better!!!

I am a proud Hillcrest resident and I thank you for your attention,

Diana Blanton