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Letters to the Editor

Published Thursday, 20-Nov-2003 in issue 830

“I believe, if the organizers of the pride parade and festival were better organized, more thoughtful and all-inclusive in their planning our Black, Latino and other brothers and sisters would not feel compelled to produce niche events.”

Dear Editor,

Sadly, Madoc Pope, whose reputation in the community precedes him, and Mike Petrogeorge missed the message of my “pride” letter.

To the point, I believe, if the organizers of the pride parade and festival were better organized, more thoughtful and all-inclusive in their planning our Black, Latino and other brothers and sisters would not feel compelled to produce niche events. Many of the folks I spoke with on the sidelines of the parade route last July expressed similar sentiments.

It was “ditto” when it came to doling out $12 and $18 to walk through the gate at the festival to purchase trinkets and eat fast-food for the profit of non-gay vendors.

My own community volunteerism dates back to the onset of AIDS-fighting fund-raising through San Diego Physicians for Human Rights and MCC’s Take Aim at AIDS more than 20 years ago.

Now-defunct Aztec Motorcoaches donated the vehicles, while the Chris Shaws and Lou Arkos donated champagne for the trip as we caravanned dozens of queens and dykes to concerts by Diana Ross and Donna Summer as well as productions like “Dreamgirls.” The recording labels donated posters, records and cassettes that we distributed on the roundtrips to Los Angeles from Number One Fifth Avenue. From the checks made payable to the church, we netted profits of between $600 to $800 per event.

I remember a particular drag queen, who has been empress an unprecedented number of times, being terrified when Miss Ross approached her to dance in “her” seat — and we so encouraged the “real” diva to work Nicole’s nerves.

Those were the good, old days when it seemed the community was tighter knit and more inclusive.

Lee A. Schoenbart

San Diego

“We cannot be so shortsighted as to think that what is bad for the San Diego community at large is not also bad for the Gay community.”

Dear Editor,

In his letter published in the November 6th issue, A.H. Miller criticized the Center’s support of the effort to defeat Proposition 54.

Miller states that this effort was not “GAY.”

While not explicitly Gay, Prop 54 was a dangerous initiative that threatened the health of many in our community. We cannot be so shortsighted as to think that what is bad for the San Diego community at large is not also bad for the Gay community.

I would venture to bet that if Prop 54 directly threatened the health of middle-aged white men, then Miller would have championed its defeat.

I hope that reading Miller’s letter does not discourage support of the

Center, but encourages people to broaden their shortsighted, reactionary views.

Gabriel Garcia

San Diego

“Everywhere you turn while walking through Horton Plaza you see Dr. Laura billboards.”

Dear Editor,

Are you annoyed to see the large Dr. Laura ads prominently displayed throughout Horton Plaza?

Everywhere you turn while walking through Horton Plaza you see Dr. Laura billboards. As you exit the parking garage in your car, you see her picture plastered on the walls.

The office at Horton Plaza reports that these billboards are rented by an advertising company and Horton Plaza has no say in what ads are placed on the billboards. I don’t buy it.

Please call the Horton Plaza office at (619) 239-8180 and let them know that we won’t shop there until the Dr. Laura ads come down.

Barb Kimball

San Diego

Letters Policy

The Gay & Lesbian Times welcomes comments from all readers. Letters to the editor longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Send e-mail to editor@uptownpub.com; fax (619) 299-3430; or mail to PO Box 34624, San Diego, CA 92163. To be printed, letters must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

All letters containing subject matter that refers to the content of the Gay & Lesbian Times are published unedited. Letters that are unrelated to the content of the publication will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff.