Dear Editor

I was saddened to have read the letter to the editor in last weeks issue of the GLT submitted by Ann Garwood when she took a personal attack on our “banker” that she calls small minded and disgruntled with a burr up her butt. This “banker” has given tirelessly to our community and to hillcrest. Attacking people never really seems to move us forward as a community, so I will not take this time to attack Ann Garwood. I would however like to take this opportunity to thank your “banker” for all that she has done and all that she continues to do. I would also encourage our banker to continue doing all she does and not to be discouraged by the words of people that insist on spending their time attacking people that support our community.

William Lopez

Dear Editor,

Designs In Shell, located at Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town State Historic Park. When we opened June 2007 in Old Town as a GLBT business we were excited and pleased with the acceptance we received. When Chuck Ross and his Old Town Hospitality Corporation assumed the State Concessionaire from Delaware North Corporation (DNC) in early 2009; we were equally pleased to see a Local San Diego Business Person assume the helm of a sinking ship. We believed new management was exactly what the Plaza needed to breathe life back into the deteriorating business model used by DNC.

We are saddened by the recent call of many elected GLBT Officials and Activists within our Community to begin a boycott of Fiesta de Reyes and Chuck’s Businesses. Chuck Ross is a friend and avid supporter of the LBGT Community, here are just a few of the facts that may not be widely known by the GLBT Community:

Chuck’s Business Model:

Openly employs and supports LGBT people at all of his businesses.

Frequent advertiser and supporter of LGBT Publications

Supports LGBT friendly business partners and vendors at both locations. (So. Bay and Old Town)

Chuck’s GLBT Community Support:

The only Chula Vista/South Bay restaurant to participate in “Dine Out for Life”, donating 25% of total daily sales to The Center in support of HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention programs.

Hosted, Sponsored, and Contributed to “NO on 8 - Equality California”

Avid support of the South Bay Alliance (SBA)

Has hosted and sponsored multiple SBA Mixers.

Provides without charge, meeting space for the SBA Monthly Board meetings.

Official Sponsor of “South Bay Pride”

Support for the Leather Community:

Silver Sponsor level of “San Diego Leather Pride” providing food donations to the VIP reception for both the Men’s and Women’s Leather Competition.

Sometimes in our efforts to take a stance, we forget to stop and listen to both sides of the debate. We feel as if that has happened to our friend Chuck Ross. His quite mild mannered on-going support of the GLBT Community perhaps has been unrecognized by too many for too long. We would like to thank our GLBT Leaders and Officials for their continued support and public service to the GLBT Community. We also encourage you to evaluate the facts and end this boycott of Fiesta de Reyes. Additionally we encourage the GLBT Community at large to review the facts, and then decide. Come to Old Town and visit all of the diverse businesses located here.

Scott R. Wilkie & Frank Casciani, Designs In Shell Gallery Fiesta de Reyes, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Dear Editor:

This morning as I was getting my coffee in Hillcrest, I choked back the tears as I stood waiting to order my beverage. Thinking back to how I got to where I am today, I recalled that fateful day in 1978. A very young man in Long Beach California, I was setting out on my own and getting my first place; life was going to be different. I turned on my new television and saw Diane Feinstein announcing to the world that Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk were gone. In shock I wondered “what are we going to do now? What will become of us? A loud voice out of nowhere thundered through my head and said “Paint!” “You can Paint!”

As artist and founder of Beacon Artworks Gallery in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, I appreciate the your kudos; thank you, Nicole. However, as the only openly gay American painter to have his own gallery in a US State Historic Park representing his community, city and state through art, I must speak up. Many supportive neighbors, allies, friends and fellow members of the LGBT community will be greatly affected by this boycott. Since this affects my ability to share and sell my art, it subsequently affects my company’s ability to give back to the San Diego LGBT community. This is serious.

We’re getting a bad rap in Old Town. I’ve had bad reviews before…so what! That’s just the art business. Please, don’t use your platform or reputation to go after my LGBT friends, and friends of the LGBT community. This is no time to try to look good by offering your right hand in friendship and slapping us with your left. We are so confused!

There are many incorrect facts out there and all parties must come together and speak to each other. That is not my role here. My business here is about my business and my neighbors on the property.

First “Fiesta De Reyes” is name of the group of shops where Beacon Artworks Gallery, as well as other LGBT community members’ businesses are located. Boycotting Fiesta De Reyes is like calling a boycott of the LGBT Community by the LGBT community. Do NOT Boycott Fiesta De Reyes; we are a family of independent small business. Does no one understand this?

Most everyone here in Fiesta De Reyes, me included, considers themselves part of the greater LGBT community. It is confusing and contradictory to the many that do know the real facts. They have actually taken the time to visit one of San Diego’s gems, and meet the independent merchants of Fiesta De Reyes, and yes, you can still get a margarita in Old Town.

Second, regarding my landlord and friend, Chuck Ross, he has tirelessly reached out to the LGBT Community. Supporting the South Bay Alliance, Hosting and Sponsoring NO on 8 fundraiser, hosting monthly South Bay Alliance meetings, the official sponsor and participant in South Bay Pride, participates in Dine Out for Life, San Diego Leather Pride, The Center for HIV and AIDS Awareness, and employs and supports many LGBT members and business owners on his properties. He will no doubt have many more supportive events to come. With no investigation by your paper, our generous friend’s reputation appears to have fallen prey to a good old fashioned witch hunt.

Perhaps GLT should take a moment to investigate before they bite the hands that feed the community.

So I paint on. I will never stop giving of my art or myself to assist others in living better lives; that is my personal mission and that of Beacon Artworks Gallery. There are many erroneous statements flying around America’s Finest City at the moment, I felt compelled to speak up. It’s time for ALL San Diegans to enjoy their heritage and historic park. It is time for the LGBT Community leaders to remove the wedge between us all. We the people are all equal; all artists painting a portrait of our community for the world to see. We are part of the problem, but more importantly, a part of the solution. With my paintbrush in hand, I suit up and show up for my community every day. That is what I do. I have learned that on the other side of fear is insight. I urge local journalists to realize the same.

RD “Randy” Riccoboni

Artist and Founder Of Beacon Artworks Gallery, Fiesta De Reyes, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Dear Editor:

I feel compelled to comment of the recent Miss America controversy and the ongoing response to it in the media and the gay and lesbian community.

First and foremost, the question as articulated by Perez Hilton. Why ask a question for which there is only one correct answer if not to precipitate a response that is going to be in opposition to the issue and hence controversial? Mr. Hilton is no naïve; he knew Miss California was a Christian and a conservative. This question was entrapment, pure and simple, in order to put her on the spot and make her chose between stating what was politically palatable or what she actually believes. Why not ask her to calculate pi to the thirteenth decimal point if there is one and only one correct response?

Secondly, Miss America’s response was nearly identical to those articulated by President Barrack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and over half of the voting residents of California. She didn’t say that homosexuality was inherently wrong or immoral or that gays and lesbians should be discriminated against or denied full participation and access to the society in which they live and work. She could (and some says should) have given a more nuanced and conciliatory response to the question. Perhaps, but she spoke her conscience in the face of overwhelming animosity, as witnessed by the negative responses from the audience, and I will not condemn her. I think she knew when she started speaking that she was losing any chance of being Miss USA. Perhaps she deserved to lose the title, I don’t know.

How many of us might say what was ‘safe and convenient’ as opposed to what we felt was ‘right and just’ when faced with this type of pressure and accompanying consequences and how many of us have suffered the hateful slurs and associated violence for unapologetically being who we are?

I find Perez Hilton’s comments concerning Miss America to be absolutely reprehensible.

It is patently unacceptable to degrade Miss California to the status of a stupid bitch or a dumb cunt because she disagrees on a specific political issue for which the entire nation is divided. Would it be appropriate to refer to the sitting president as an ignorant nigger for holding a similar to view to that of Miss California?

Some will point to Miss California’s recent appearance in an anti-Gay marriage ad as vindication for their hatred of this young woman and her beliefs. Consider the possibility that Perez Hilton’s vicious assault propelled her into the political spotlight and, in fact, created her as the spokesperson for “conventional” marriage in California, where were she ignored, she may have well faded into obscurity.

It looks as if the California Supreme Court will rule in favor of Proposition 8 and the amended State constitution will become the law of the land. This makes the future State initiative challenges to the amended constitution much more difficult to overturn. The struggle that confronts us as a community is to engage and convince our opponents in a constructive and measured way to understand and be sympathetic to our point of view.

The current strategy of confrontation is short-sighted and ultimately counter-productive to the goal of legally-recognized Gay marriage in California.

D.L. Kencik

Dear Editor,

Obviously Doug Manchester has not changed his stance on same sex marriage and neither should we. The boycott should stay in effect. Instead of changing his stance on same sex marriage he offered to donate $25,000 to some unnamed national organization that promotes civil unions. Aside from the fact that he has not reversed his stance on same sex marriage and has not promised to not fund another initiative to take away our rights, that amount is quite a bit less than the $125,000 he gave to have our rights taken away. The hotel credits of $100,000 is just away to boost the sales he does not already have. He is basically saying here is a $25,000 payoff and here is another $100,000 back of the money I would not have unless you stayed at my hotel and paid a lot more than that. I urge everyone not to fall for this ploy and keep the boycott intact until such time as we get a promise from him to not donate to causes that support infringing on our civil rights and that he does give at least $125,000 to organizations or an organization that is fighting to regain our civil right to same sex marriage. Civil unions are not equal and donating to a cause that condones keeping us as second class in not acceptable.

George McGinnis